All 3 generations of the iPad support “mirroring”. This allows you to display the output of the iPad on an external display device such as a monitor, a projector or TV.
On the iPad 1, support for mirroring is limited. It will only work if the individual apps have been programmed to provide mirroring support. On iPad 2 and 3rd Generation iPad, the support is provided by the iPad itself which means that the output of all apps, as well as the Home screen, can be displayed on an external display.
The images below show my iPad 2 connected to a 23″ monitor and connected to a standard VGA projector. The iPad’s Home Screen is displayed on the monitor as well as the iPad itself.
Zero Configuration
To display the iPad’s output on an external display, simply connect the iPad to the display device using an appropriate adapter. One end of the adapter plugs into the iPad’s 30-pin connector (the one that you connect the charger to) and the other end plugs into the external device. That’s it. There is nothing to configure.
VGA or HDMI?
iPad 2 and the 3rd Generation iPad support a VGA adapter and an HDMI adapter, but iPad 1 only supports the VGA adapter. If, like me, you already have a VGA adapter that you used with iPad 1, the good news is that it will work with both iPad 2 and the 3rd Generation iPad.
The VGA adapter allows you to connect the iPad to a VGA-equipped TV, monitor or projector. You can purchase a VGA adapter from your local Apple Store or online.
If you have an HDMI-compatible display device (monitor, TV or projector), you can use the HDMI adapter instead. The HDMI adapter has 2 connectors on it – one for the display device and one for charging the iPad, so you’ll never have to worry about running out of battery power in the middle of your presentation or demo.
You can purchase a VGA adapter from your local Apple Store or online.
