Credit: Tashreef Shareef / MakeUseOf

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Tashreef’s fascination with consumer technology began in the school library when he stumbled upon a tech magazine, CHIP, which ultimately inspired him to pursue a degree in Computer Science. Since 2012, Tashreef has professionally authored over a thousand how-to articles, contributing to Windows Report and How-To Geek. He currently focuses on Microsoft Windows content at MakeUseOf, which he has been using since 2007.

With hands-on experience building websites and technology blogs, he brings practical developer insights to his technical writing. You can view his complete work portfolio at itashreef.com.

You might also stumble upon his short how-to video explainers, simplifying complex topics. Beyond writing, Tashreef enjoys creating short explainer videos, gaming, and exploring animated shows.

When looking for a portable monitor, I explored a few options ranging from $60 to $150, including ASUS’s ZenScreen. But since I only needed a portable monitor for my laptop when traveling (it’s not feasible to carry around my bulky ultrawide monitor), I tried a DIY method first by repurposing my old Android tablet to see how feasible this option could be.

To my surprise, my old Huawei Honor Pad 8 turned out to be an excellent secondary monitor. Not only because it sports an excellent display, but also because a tablet is an incredible touch-capable device that makes navigation so much easier. The only hiccup was making my tablet work with my Windows laptop as an extended display, but GlideX solved that part of the mystery, and it’s free.

Why use an Android tablet as a secondary display

Touch input, good display resolution, and doesn’t need external power

Credit: Tashreef Shareef / MakeUseOf

When I first set up my Android tablet as a secondary display, I just wanted a portable monitor and a way to repurpose my old tablet. I didn’t expect it to offer anything beyond that. But after a couple of months, I realized it’s a surprisingly underrated option.

First, with a tablet, you don’t need to worry about an external power source. Yes, a USB-PD compatible monitor can draw power from your laptop, but if you want to connect over HDMI, you’ll need an external power source. My tablet runs on its own battery, which means one less cable to carry and no drain on my laptop’s battery.

Second, even a mid-range tablet comes with a high-resolution display, FHD at minimum and often 2K, which is typically tuned for multimedia use. Above all, your tablet has exceptional touch input that makes it easy to navigate on-screen elements, switch between tabs, zoom in and out of images and documents, and handle anything that requires frequent interaction.

A touchscreen portable monitor will always cost more. Even then, the touch fluidity of a good tablet is hard to match, especially if you opt for a budget monitor.

Using my Honor Pad 8 as a portable monitor

GlideX makes it work with Windows

GlideX is a free ASUS utility that turns any Android or iOS device into an extended display for Windows, and the setup couldn’t be any easier.

Start by installing GlideX from the Microsoft Store on Windows and the companion app on your tablet, then connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network. You can also connect via USB, which is the way I prefer for better quality and to remove any latency issues. That requires enabling Developer Options and USB debugging on your Android device first.

On your PC, open the Cross-device operation tab, select Extend, click Search for device, and accept the screen-share prompt on your tablet. Once paired, you can configure display behavior like layout, resolution, and frame rate from the Preferences menu. There’s also a choice between Dynamic mode (which auto-adjusts quality based on network conditions) and Manual mode (which locks your settings if your connection is stable).

The free edition of ASUS GlideX supports up to 1080p at 60 FPS, which is good enough for spreadsheets, documents, chat apps, and general multitasking. Touch input works like a touchscreen laptop. You can tap, scroll, and pinch-to-zoom directly on the extended display, which is useful for reference material and side panels where you would otherwise have to reach for the mouse. I can move windows to the tablet, switch them with Alt+Tab, and even use your tablet for other apps, then return to GlideX when I need the extended screen again.

Beyond extending displays, GlideX can also mirror your phone screen on the PC, unify keyboard and mouse control across devices, and provide drag-and-drop file transfer. The ASUS-exclusive edition adds support for two simultaneous devices, 2K 60Hz output, phone call handling, and using your phone as a webcam. But for a basic extended display setup, the free version does the job.

It’s not perfect

Quirks of using your tablet as a secondary monitor

Credit: Tashreef Shareef / MakeUseOf

There are some caveats, too. Unlike a conventional portable monitor that’s just plug and play, turning an Android tablet into an extended monitor requires third-party software. That means installing apps on both devices and pairing them each time you want to use the feature.

Another quirk is the resolution and refresh rate cap. Many apps, including GlideX, limit the display to 1080p and 30-60Hz. Even if your tablet has a high refresh-rate display, you won’t be able to use it. For spreadsheets, documents, and chat apps, this isn’t a problem. But if you need color-accurate work or fast-paced visuals, a dedicated portable monitor will serve you better.

Wi-Fi stability also plays a role. If your network is inconsistent, you might notice lag or dropped frames. A USB connection can help with this, though it adds the extra step of enabling Android debugging.

GlideX

OS Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

Price model Free

GlideX is a cross-device screen mirroring and extending app that turns your phone or tablet into a second display, lets you control devices with one mouse/keyboard, transfer files fast, use your mobile camera as a webcam, make calls via PC, and access files remotely for smoother productivity.

Your tablet is just the right size for a portable monitor

Most tablets fall in the 10 to 12-inch range, which happens to be the sweet spot for portable monitors, too. It’s large enough to be useful for reference material, chat windows, or monitoring panels, but small enough to fit in a laptop bag without adding much bulk.

If you already have an old tablet lying around, it’s worth trying this setup before spending money on a dedicated portable monitor. The touch input alone makes navigation easier than most budget monitors can offer. And since you’re not buying new hardware, the only cost is your time setting it up. Also, use it in wired mode for the best results and reduce lag.