Often times when I go into a classroom to work with students and iPads I connect my iPad to whatever projection system exists in the room. I’m pretty comfortable unplugging cables from computers, but not everyone is. Recently I set up a bunch of schools with a one-touch solution to switch their SMARTboard or projector between their computer and their iPad.

What You Need

VGA Switch:

a) I like the 2-source VGA switch from StarTech, available on Amazon (purchasing through this link supports this website)
b) Here is a cheaper option, but I haven’t used it
     Please note you only need one of these, not both!

Apple VGA Connector

I always just buy this from Apple.

VGA Cables

a) 25′ Cable w/ Audio will give you lots of room to stretch and you can also connect the audio to your iPad(purchasing through these links supports this website) 
b) 5′ VGA Cable

 How To Set It Up

1) Unplug the VGA cable from the back of your computer that goes into your projector/SMARTboard. Plug this cable into the OUTPUT port on the VGA switch
2) Plug one end of the new 5′ VGA cable into the back of your computer, and the other end of the 5′ VGA cable into the ‘Computer 1′ input of the VGA switch
3) Plug one end of the 25′ VGA cable into the ‘Computer 2′ input of the VGA switch. Connect the white Apple VGA Connector to the other end of the 25′ VGA Cable. Now, plug the white VGA cable into your iPad.

Turn on your computer, projector and iPad. You should be able to switch the projector between your iPad and your computer by the touch of a button! Enjoy!

Some people may prefer this youtube tutorial instead:


 

Please be aware that every classroom set up is slightly different, and your classroom might need different equipment or slightly different set up procedures than listed in this post. Feel free to ask your questions in the comments section below!