Conclusion
MaxiVista is a small program with an unusual range of features. With this software, the desktop of a primary Windows computer can be extended to a monitor that is connected to a secondary computer. To achieve this, a virtual graphics card is created after installing the MaxiVista server software on the primary computer. The solution then sends the image information of the virtually expanded desktop across the network to a client program that is installed on a secondary desktop computer or notebook. Finally, the client program displays the received image information on the locally-attached monitor or display.
Installation is easy and the program is set within minutes. No effort is required from the user, as the server program automatically looks for MaxiVista clients on the network. All necessary Windows Firewall setting changes are made during the installation as well. The only real user interaction involves firing up the program, adding an extra display to his or her computer via the network. If the MaxiVista server is connected with the client computer via Ethernet, performance is very good. Smooth playback of YouTube videos in 720p is a piece of cake. However, higher resolutions tend to create issues, as our tests have shown. And you'll get less-than-ideal performance over a wireless network.
MaxiVista or a Second Monitor?
In our opinion, this program can come handy. However, the solution requires the user have full access to a laptop or a PC with a display you can commandeer to output via MaxiVista. Ultimately, you should not forget that the MaxiVista client software must be installed on a fully-fledged PC or notebook, and the host system introduces additional power consumption. In a worst case scenario, the power consumption of the client PC, including the display or even a laptop with its integrated display, may have much higher power requirements than a single LCD. In addition to this, the software doesn't support hardware graphics acceleration, which most definitely will lead to issues with various programs.
But obviously, we can imagine scenarios where limited space or budget for a second monitor makes MaxiVista as a permanent solution a viable choice. Even users who don't really have the option to extend their desktops via Ethernet to a remote monitor might want to have a look at the MaxiVista software. The built-in KVM feature makes MaxiVista a cost-effective, software-based KVM solution that certainly has notable charm.
