Is it preferable to use my Macbook Pro with iPad as a second display?

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Is it preferable to use my Macbook Pro with iPad as a second display?

Hi all,

For a while now, I've been using my 2020 MBP (1.4 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5) with a portable external monitor (this one), plugged in via USB-C, as a second display.

Even when the portable monitor is powered separately, the Macbook regularly overheats and the fans start spinning, especially when I have more programs open at the same time and I'm simultaneously charging the Macbook. To my memory, this didn't happen to such an extent when I was using a stationary Dell monitor as a second display.

I am anxious that this setup is damaging my Macbook (or its battery life). Since I regularly work away from my home desk, I cannot switch back to the Dell, so I have been considering buying an iPad and using it wirelessly via Sidecar in the hope that this will be less taxing for the Macbook and won't make it overheat as much.

Is this a good idea or am I likely to encounter similar issues (e.g. especially if I end up needing to connect the iPad via USB-c)?

Thanks in advance.

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 15.1

Posted on Mar 24, 2025 1:57 AM

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Answer 1

Mar 24, 2025 7:08 AM in response to p_andreev

what sort of work are you doing on the second display?

ANY over-the-air display can not possibly keep up with full motion Video, because the connecting 'pipe' you are using (wireless) has at best 1/20th the bandwidth of a direct-wired display, such as a USB-C cable.

The only way it works at all is if it strongly compresses the display data using a built-in compressor hardware assist, and DROPs the refresh rate requirements. Updates will be periodic and slow, but worst of all is if you use a pointing device on the external, it will lag enough to make you seasick.

you are proceeding as if the difference between your Dell display and this portable display is THE issue, but you have no hard evidence that 'which display' has anything to do with overheating.

Consider downloading and running this little "discovery" utility, Etrecheck. It changes NOTHING. Etrecheck was developed by senior contributor here, and uses system calls to collect often-needed information.

it contains little tests for speeds of devices, CPU utilization, memory usage, energy usage and a digest of recent problems, in one easy to use package. it does not even need to be Installed. Because less can be learned when your Mac is running great, best time to run is when your problems are actually occurring, if possible.

if you follow the directions faithfully, its report (pre-laundered of all personally-identifiable information) can be "Shared" to the System ClipBoard, then Pasted into an ‘Additional Text’ window in a reply on the forums.

Use Etrecheck Pro for free:

http://Etrecheck.com

then strata reply on the forums, click the "additional Text" link, and PASTE the report into that window.

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Is it preferable to use my Macbook Pro with iPad as a second display?