Can I use my iPad as primary display for Mac mini M4

The iPad cannot be used as the primary display for the Mac mini. It can be used as a secondary display with the Sidecar feature, but you will still need a regular monitor as well.

Blackadder221b wrote:

I’m looking to get the new Mac mini M4. I’m just wondering if there is a way to use and iPad (9th generation) as the primary display at any point via a cable or wireless?

No

So if traveling for example. in the UK if it makes a difference.

The Mac mini is a desktop computer.

If you need portability, you should look at getting a MacBook Pro, a MacBook Air or perhaps even an iPad Pro.

see > Mac - Which Mac is best for me? - Apple

This is not True. You can use native sidecar and a headless solution to use any sidecar-supported iPad to act as the primary (and only!) display of your Mac. I just published a guide for this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4ZnPoKJZ-M

https://www.reddit.com/r/macmini/comments/1hw47gs/fully_headless_m4_mac_mini_ipad_setup_streaming/

It can be used as a primary display with the Orian app and a USB-C video capture card. It won't charge the iPad though.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08Z3XDYQ7?ref=fed_asin_title&th=1

Here are references about using an iPad as a secondary display for a Mac.

Continuity features and requirements for Apple devices - Apple Support

Use an iPad as a second display for a Mac - Apple Support

Thank you. I stand corrected. This is something new to me.

Will have to make a note.

Incorrect. You plug the USB-C video capture card into the iPad, take the HDMI cable from the Mac to the video capture card, launch Orion, and it sees it as an HDMI monitor and on the Mac Mini.

https://youtu.be/-Kvw4hMdRzw?si=BgWsfeRYWZ8uKQUf&t=363

There are such things as "portable" computer monitors:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?q=portable%20computer%20monitor

Note that the Mac mini requires wall power, and these portable monitors likely do, too. A Mac mini plus a portable monitor might be more transportable than most desktop computers – but would not be as convenient for portable use as a Mac notebook.

And you'll still need a monitor to setup the app on the Mac mini.

It looks like the Orion app is something you that run on the iPad.

I have no idea how well it works, but the claim is that if you use it in connection with a video capture card, it turns an iPad into a portable HDMI monitor.

There would still be the need to stay close to a wall outlet to power the M4 Mac mini. The M4 Mac mini does not have a rechargeable battery, and I'm guessing from Apple's photos and specifications that the Mini doesn't take DC power from an external power brick, but takes 100 – 240 volt AC power from the wall.