Can I use my iPad to control a desktop computer?

An Apple accessory called Magic Trackpod will do this much better (and cheaper) than an iOS device.

To use an iPad the way you describe would involve setting up "Remote Access" software, which is neither simple, usually costly, and almost always adds delays between your action and on-screen reaction, which is very frustrating. Trust me, you don't want to go there...

IMHO, that (even if it would work) is not a good idea.

Barry

I use Microsoft desktop connection on my iPad (RD Client app) over a VPN connection with my Windows 7 desktop at work frequently. It works fine, although obviously the screen size of the iPad has some limitations. But it certainly works alright. I've also used SSH clients on iPads and iPhones for years to check in on linux servers as needed when away or traveling. Again, not ideal, but it works just fine.

P.S. There are a plethora of windows Remote Desktop clients, VNC clients and SSH clients for iPad and iPhone in the App Store.

no team viewer is special it's made to do it across the Internet

try microSoft's free remote desktop it's made for lan rather then over the Internet it is likely faster with less delays

You could use the touch option as well, I do it all the time, you can select if you want to move the cursor or just touch like the iPad.

naomiUK wrote:

Thanks for this. Are there any that allow you to operate the iPad in such a way that doesn't involve moving a cursor round the screen? I briefly tried TeamViewer and found it frustrating trying to move the cursor on a touchscreen (as opposed to simply touching as I normally would on an iPad.)

As far as I know, any of the Windows Remore desktop clients will mimic a mouse cursor as they are interfacing with a Windows Remote Desktop server connection which could not interprete a touch interface (although I have not tried connecting to a Windows 8 touch display machine).

It is the pointer option.