Man who set up an iPad as an Apple CarPlay alternative shares what he thinks is better after extensive tests
After two years of testing both an iPad Mini setup and several portable Apple CarPlay screens, a YouTuber decided to finally compare them side-by-side in real driving conditions.
What started as a fun upgrade idea quickly turned into a full-blown experiment in in-car tech.
It seems like lots of people can’t live without in-car infotainment systems these days.
But the real question became which one actually works best day to day.
Using the iPad as an Apple CarPlay alternative
A tech YouTuber decided that it was time to put an end to the battle of the in-car infotainment systems.
The YouTuber, Nilson Creative, made the test as a comparison between a portable Apple CarPlay setup and an iPad Mini he upgraded into a CarPlay.
When the test started, the iPad Mini immediately stood out for how good everything looked on screen.
Apple Maps was clearer, music artwork was sharper, and the experience felt more polished, and it responded better, too.
One of its biggest advantages was multitasking, with the ability to run navigation and music side-by-side at the same time.
He also preferred how flexible apps felt on the iPad, especially when zooming around maps or exploring places in detail.
The Apple CarPlay, by comparison, felt more restricted and simplified, with fewer controls and less freedom inside apps.
Even basic interactions like browsing information or adjusting views felt easier on the iPad, but the only downside was that the iPad could overheat in strong sunlight, which sometimes caused the screen to dim.
Which is better overall?
When it came to daily use, the differences became a lot more obvious.
The portable CarPlay unit was designed to stay in the car and switch on instantly, which made it very easy to live with.
The iPad setup, while more powerful, needed to be removed or hidden every time he parked because it could get stolen, which quickly became annoying.
Installation also played a big role, with CarPlay offering a much simpler plug-and-play experience straight out of the box.
He made the custom iPad setup, which required custom mounts, shortcuts, and extra setup work to get it running properly in the car.
Price was also a big difference between the two, with CarPlay costing around £69 ($88) compared to roughly £619 ($786) for the iPad setup.
In the end, after all the testing, he decided that the portable CarPlay system was the better choice for him because it simply made everyday driving easier, and it was significantly cheaper – who saw that coming?