The Xscope mirror, a free tool works without needing VNC but you need a paid companion app on the Mac to send the data.
I prefer to use screens on the iPad. VNC is the way that OS X sends it's video remotely to another display. If you don't use it, someone else needs to re-write that entire stack and it works very well for local networks.
As for why the app I recommend, it has an observe mode and seems to scale the screen much better than the Xscope app since it is designed primarily for designing, not mirroring. The same program works on iPad, iPod, iPhone of all sizes and retina or not displays. It is very fast and has an observe only mode so that you don't accidentally send touch events.
If you do decide to use it on the go for remote access, there is a free location app (similar to how Back to My Mac works) and works over ssh tunnels if you prefer more security than speed. It has great soft keyboard support and of course works with Linux and Windows as well. There is nothing I can say bad about it in terms of missing features os bugs or design.
It's a quality piece of software all around.
If you really must avoid VNC, there is another option. The Xscope app for software designers has a free companion app that runs on the iPad and will mirror your screen. It's more designed for counting pixels and looking at mockups you design on the Mac for eventual use on the iPad, but you can use it as a mirroring solution. It lacks any input from the iPad and simply sends the screen from the Mac to iOS.
It also is very high quality software - and is well designed, all around and fast.
I have a new Apple TV and stream from iPhones, iPads and various macs via AirPlay... and love it!
Two places I'd suggest you focus:
- the operating system
- upgrade to 10.8 (if you don't want to commit to ML, install it on a partition, thumb drive or RAM card and boot from there to AirPlay)
- while not a principle cause of what you're experiencing, how much RAM does your MacBook have? If you have 4GB or less, upgrading to 8GB is a small dollar investment that provides a great return in speed.
- the wireless router
- are you experiencing slow or choppy wifi performance anywhere other than AirPlay?
- does your MacBook Pro intermittently drop its wifi connection even when you have a full signal?
- what wireless router(s) do you have, and how old are they?
- just because it says G or N doesn't mean the wifi router is "any good" or supports all the protocols needed for AirPlay
- how far is the wireless router from your tv and MacBook?
- within reason, the closer the better
You call yourself a technophobe and moron, and I'm not here to dispute either of them (but I think you can achieve what you're hoping for!). My simple suggestion to resolve your problem: replace your wifi router with an Apple AirPort Extreme (less than $200) or AirPort Express (about $100).
- I have used macs and iOS devices with a number of different brands of wireless routers, to limited success and happiness, usually defendant upon the age of the router. Older wifi gear does not support all the tricks and new technology Apple (and Intel) builds into the newer computers.
- I've had the best success with Apple's AirPort Extreme or Express base stations... for working with both Macs and Windows boxes.
- the AirPort Extreme let's you hook up a USB hard drive as a centralized TimeMachine backup disk for all your Macs backups
- both the Extreme and Express let you attach a USB printer for remote printing
Either of the two routers are quick to set up, work with your Internet gateway, and should accomplish what you need. If you have an Apple store nearby, swing by and pick one up. You already have the software on your MacBook to configure it.
Good luck!
Best Answer
If your cellular network allows you can turn on the “personal hotspot” feature on iPad and connect Apple TV to that network. Then you can AirPlay the content to Apple TV (not mirroring) and at the same time use the cellular 3G network for internet.