Systems and methods described herein provide for communication between a base component and a slate component of a hybrid computing system. The hybrid computing system is in a connected state when the base component and slate component are connected. Embodiments provide that the base component may control the slate component when the hybrid computing system is in a connected state. In addition, embodiments provide that a server module running on the display component and a client module running on the base component facilitate communication between the hybrid computing system components. Furthermore, systems and methods described herein provide that the base component may control hardware devices, peripheral devices, or software applications of the display component through communications between the server module and client module.