Interest in Apple's Mac Mini has surged dramatically, especially within China, where the compact computer serves as a perfect foundation for testing autonomous AI agents such as OpenClaw. In response to this trend, Astropad is developing a specialized remote desktop tool tailored for exactly this purpose. This week, CEO Matt Ronge unveiled Astropad Workbench, a remote desktop solution for Apple devices that he describes as being crafted "for the AI era."

Although an AI agent operating on a Mac Mini might not require a display, the human overseeing it will occasionally need to log in to review logs, monitor outputs, or restart any stalled processes, Ronge explains.

The new platform includes a range of capabilities, such as high-fidelity streaming, voice-controlled prompts and commands, and compatibility with various input methods like keyboards, Apple Pencil, or touch. It also provides clients for both iPad and iPhone—effectively enabling portable, on-the-go access to your remote desktop. For users managing AI agents across several Macs, Workbench features a device chooser to seamlessly switch between them.

This concept originated from a need felt by Astropad’s own team and their peers. "At Astropad, we’ve integrated AI deeply and regularly use agents. Sometimes an agent is handling a lengthy task, and you need to check its status," says Ronge. "There wasn’t an ideal method for this... existing remote desktop tools weren’t designed with this specific use in mind." He adds, "You could use a terminal or solutions like Telegram chats, but they have limitations. There are moments when you must see what’s on your Mac—to approve a dialog, save a file, or simply visually confirm what’s occurring."

Workbench utilizes the company’s proprietary, low-latency display protocol named LIQUID, which supports the workflows of creative professionals. Astropad states it maintains full fidelity even at Retina resolutions, without blurring lines or pixelating data. This same technology drives Astropad’s other products, like Luna Display, which transforms an iPad into a secondary monitor, and Astropad Studio, which allows an iPad to function as a professional drawing tablet. While monitoring an AI agent may not always demand high-fidelity visuals, Ronge emphasizes that it’s a valuable feature—particularly if you’re reviewing designs or mock-ups generated by your AI agent.

Remote desktop software is not new, meaning Astropad faces established competitors like Jump Desktop, RustDesk, AnyDesk, Parsec, VNC-based options, and others. However, Ronge argues that these were not designed with the specific demands of monitoring AI agents in mind. Workbench simplifies checking log statuses to track your AI agents’ progress, identify problems, restart stuck jobs, and make adjustments—all from an iPhone or iPad. "We’ve focused on iPad development for years—it’s essentially been our company’s core for the past decade. We have extensive experience in creating high-quality iPad apps," Ronge notes. "We understand how to build excellent iOS apps... so we applied that expertise and also incorporated a voice model."

The technology employs Apple’s voice model, allowing you to speak into your phone and direct your AI agent with a tap of the microphone button. "It’s a very intuitive way to interact with agents. That’s the sort of feature typical remote desktop applications lack—they’re built for more conventional, enterprise-style remote access."

As a new release, some bugs and refinements are expected, but the team is actively improving the product. Next, they aim to introduce Windows and Linux support and enhance the iPhone app. The software requires macOS 15 or later and iOS 26, and is available as a free download offering 20 minutes of daily access. Unlimited access is priced at $10 per month or $50 per year. Astropad, a bootstrapped and profitable small tech firm, has over 100,000 customers, including users of its iPad hardware accessories and software. With Workbench, Ronge believes the company can attract both AI enthusiasts and businesses as remote support for AI agents grows more prevalent. "I absolutely think businesses will purchase it. The productivity improvements I’m experiencing personally—this is definitely headed to the business sector. It’s simply too impactful," he remarks.