Turning an E-Reader into a Second Monitor
One restless night at 4 AM sparked an unusual idea. I do all my work on an M2 MacBook Air with a 13-inch screen, and I often find myself short on screen space. Unlike many colleagues who use multi-monitor setups—some with as many as four screens—such setups are expensive and more of a luxury than a necessity for me.
Besides the cost, I rarely work from a single location. My work oscillates between home and campus, making a fixed multi-monitor setup impractical. After getting an iPad Air, I discovered I could use it as a second monitor, which I've done for about two years. It strikes the right balance by expanding my workspace without requiring a permanent desk arrangement.
Exploring E-Ink Displays
Recently, I became fascinated by e-ink displays, which have gradually replaced my iPad for many tasks such as note-taking. Naturally, my imagination sparked a question: could my e-ink display serve as a second monitor instead of the iPad? Without any prior guidance or examples, I decided to try it out.
"So, of course, that's exactly what I did, and the results were… interesting, to say the least."
I own the Boox Note Air 4C and Palma 2 devices. The Boox Note Air 4C, with its 10.3-inch screen, seemed the obvious choice for this experiment.
Summary
Converting an e-ink reader into a second monitor offers an intriguing, budget-friendly alternative for expanding workspace, especially for users who value portability over traditional setups.
Would you like the tone to be more formal or casual?