Use imac 27 as monitor for mac mini

I am thinking of upgrading picking up a core i5 or i7. Step 3 plug the other end of the cable to mini displayport or thunderbolt connector on your imac. The older imacs have a mini displayport, so youll need to either have a mac mini with a mini displayport or thunderbolt port. Choosing the mac mini over the imac the mac observer. Use 2011 27 imac as display for 2012 mac mini macrumors. My use is primarily for recording and making music using logic pro, which i will run off the new mac mini so i need a stable set up. On the other hand, newer imacs come with a thunderbolt port. Learn how to use, update, maintain and troubleshoot your lg devices and appliances. I have to say im never going back to a large screen tv again. How to pick the best monitor for your new mac mini. Sep 25, 2019 in this imac vs mac mini comparison, lets check out which one is a better buy. The 27inch imac has a bidirectional mini displayport or a thunderbolt port depending on the model. Can i use a imac late 2009 or mid 2010 as a screen for.

You can make all of your displays mirror each other, or extend your workspace with different apps and windows on each display. By william gallagher friday, december 07, 2018, 10. To use the new 27inch imac as an external monitor requires a very specific cable to work. Its pricing and capabilities put it in the same league as the imac, even though it lacks a monitor and keyboard. How to add a second screen to your mac or macbook macworld. If you have an imac made in mid2011 or later, then one thing you can do with it is to use it as an external monitor.

Will the 2018 mac mini be able to use my 2011 imac in. I can work from home and would like to connect my work computer to the imac to use while working. How to pick the best monitor for your new mac mini appleinsider. With a large and vibrant screen, imac can work as a great external monitor for pc and macbook.

Looking at adding an extra extended monitor to my imac 27. The 27inch imac has a bidirectional mini displayport or a thunderbolt port depending on the model that can be used to drive a second monitor. Oct 28, 2009 this is a demo video of how to use the apple 27 inch imac as a display for a macbook, macbook pro, mac pro, and mac mini. The 2009 and 2010 27 imacs can only be used in target display mode for macs without thunderbolt. For work we have hp elitebooks running windows 7 soon windows 10. This post will tell you which cable you need to use imac as monitor for pc and. Make sure you have a mini displayport to mini displayport cable.

Using a 2019 imac 27 retina as external monitor to a 2018. Macbook retina, 12inch, early 2015 a mac with builtin usbc or thunderbolt 3 usbc ports is required. Using a 5k imac as a second monitor for a windows 10 pc. If you dont happen to have a second monitor or an extra. Buy products related to monitor for mac mini products and see what customers say about monitor for mac mini products on free delivery possible on eligible purchases. Your mac or macbooks display is already gorgeous, but if youre in the market for a second display or even something larger than what you have, a 4k monitor is a massive step in the right direction. If your mac has thunderbolt 3 usbc ports, you can connect it using the apple thunderbolt 3 usbc to thunderb. To use target display mode, youll need to connect your imac and your mac, via. Mar 25, 2015 you will need to have a displayport or mini displayport capable pc in order to do this. With target display mode, it is possible to use some compatible imac, such as 27 inch imac in late 2009, mid 2010, as monitor for macbook proair. However, things might not be as simple as that, so check out the compatible models. With target display mode you can use the imac as a display for the macbook. Its 27 inches big, which is about the size of apples larger imac, and has a similar p3 wide color gamut with 500 nits brightness. Mar 26, 2014 if you have an imac made in mid2011 or later, then one thing you can do with it is to use it as an external monitor.

You do just need to forget that one of the very best 27inch monitors comes with an imac wrapped around it. How to turn your imac into a secondary display the mac. A mac notebook or desktop with a mini displayport or thunderbolt port. The first thing you need to do is check if your imac can be used as a secondary monitor. Jun 22, 2019 the imac features one of the best displays on the market, and if you are lucky to have a 4k retina monitor, the vibrant screen is likely to make your workflow more pleasant. It means that this is an official solution provided by. Our main piece of advice with the imac is to steer well clear of the. Just wanted to know if anyone has experience of the compatibility and work flow of using the imac 27 2011 dual thunderbolt, as a display, with the new 2012 mac mini thunderbolt. Mar 24, 2020 this lg monitor supports usbc and thunderbolt. The idea is to pretend that the imac is just a monitor and plug everything else into the mac mini. For more information on using your imac in target display mode see using a 27 inch imac late 2009 or mid 2010 as an external display. Using mac mini fully, with imac as monitor apple community.

How to use an imac as a monitor for pc tech junkie. The mac mini has become popular again since apple updated it to 8thgen intel processors, faster storage, and of course, a higher price. Apple stopped supporting the idea of using an imac as a display from 2015 onwards on all imacs. Monitors can connect to the mac via the mini displayport, thunderbolt. In this imac vs mac mini comparison, lets check out which one is a better buy. Hi, im using my imac 27 late 2009 as a monitor with an nvidia gtx 760 and a cable displayport minidisplayport. I dont need speakers as i have a focus rite sound card and external speakers and headphones. How to use an imac 2009, 2010 as a pc monitor youtube.

For more information on using your imac in target display mode see using a 27inch imac late 2009 or mid 2010 as an external display. Apr 14, 2020 your mac or macbooks display is already gorgeous, but if youre in the market for a second display or even something larger than what you have, a 4k monitor is a massive step in the right direction. A pc with display port and a mini displayport to displayport adapter. Apple neither supplies a monitor with your new mac mini, nor presently makes one itself that you can use with it. The mac mini is certainly the best choice if youre budget is tight and you already have a monitor. To use an imac 27 inch, mid 2010 or imac 27 inch, late 2009 in target display mode with another computer as the source. Use an imac as a monitor or extended display for your macbook pro. Converter boxes may work but they do not offer the quality that youll get from a. The 5 best monitors for mac mini in 2020 by experts. However, in order to use it with anything besides apples own laptops, youd need an hdmi to mini display port adaptor. Similar to target disk mode, where one mac s internal hard drives can be. Using imac as monitor requires very specific cable cult of mac. This is a demo video of how to use the apple 27 inch imac as a display for a macbook, macbook pro, mac pro, and mac mini. Thunderbolt display is a monitor that is made by apple and besides being too expensive, it seems to be obsolete.

If you have a 27inch imac with a mini displayport, any other mac with a mini displayport or thunderbolt port can use it as a display. If you have a 27 inch imac with a mini displayport, any other mac with a mini displayport or thunderbolt port can use it as a display. However, buying a mac mini meant i needed a monitor. Use 2011 27 imac as display for 2012 mac mini macrumors forums. Similar to target disk mode, where one macs internal hard drives can be. Apparently thunderbolt 3 does not pass mini display port signals, so target display mode will not work if you have an older imac or monitor that uses mini display port. I am having issues with what type of display to buy and have returned the apple thunderbolt display atd due to a. While doing this i also plan to use my existing apple keyboard and mouse.

Depending on your model of imac, it may have a mini displayport or a thunderbolt port. I know the mac supports target mode to connect mac to mac, but not sure if it will recognise a windows device in the same way. Just wanted to know if anyone has experience of the compatibility and work flow of using the imac 27 2011 dual thunderbolt,as a display, with the new 2012 mac mini thunderbolt. Also, the 29 inch imac input if thunderbolt, so not even sure its possible to get a mini displayport to thunderbolt cable or if thunderbolt is backwards. If you want to try and maintain the same level of definition as your current display, here are the best 4k monitors for your mac. At home i have a mid 2011 imac 27 that has a beautiful display. If the primary mac has a thunderbolt port, it can play audio and video on the imac. The best monitor for mac mini that weve tested so far is the asus tuf vg27aq.

Its 27 inch screen is great for multitasking, and the 1440p resolution delivers images and text with clarity. I have an old imac late 2009 which has a mini display port at the back. Mar 16, 2020 the 27 inch imac has a bidirectional mini displayport or a thunderbolt port depending on the model that can be used to drive a second monitor. Use a 27inch imac with a mini displayport as an external display connect the mini displayport cable to the ports on each mac. I also knew it had to be 4k, again to try and future proof my setup. On top of that, you can use target display mode to connect a macbook with a late 2009 or mid2010 imac. If you want the imac to play audio as well as video from. What i want to do is use the mini as a lion machine, and keep the imac as a snow leopardrosetta machine. To use target display mode, youll need to connect your imac and your mac, via the correct cable. Nov 15, 2018 with a large and vibrant screen, imac can work as a great external monitor for pc and macbook. Press commandf2 on the keyboard of the external display imac.

Can i use a imac late 2009 or mid 2010 as a screen for regular pc. Refurbished computers and notebooks are certified and tested by apple with a 1year warranty. This would be great for people with places that are spacially challenged and can use it for a mini entertainment center by connecting tv, bluray, and a gaming system like a ps3. With target display mode, it is possible to use some compatible imac, such as 27inch imac in late 2009, mid 2010, as monitor for macbook proair. Yes, you can connect a second monitor external monitor to your imac heres how. Hi, anyone actually connected a surface pro to an imac to enable the imac to act as a monitor. How to use an old imac as an secondary monitor for macbook. If you use a monitor or an hdtv connected with an hdmi cable, you might see a difference in. Nov 02, 2009 to use the new 27 inch imac as an external monitor requires a very specific cable to work. Dec 16, 2019 use external monitors with your mac learn how to connect another display to your mac and choose how your displays work together. Works great, actually the cg of my imac decided to halfdie some days ago so now i can only start in failsafe mode and with colorful artefacts, but once i connect the hackintosh on it, the image is perfect, since it bypasses the imac cg. Apr 18, 2020 imac, mac mini, macbook pro, or macbook air, there are a lot of different macs to choose from these days. System requirements a mac notebook or desktop with a mini displayport or thunderbolt port. But is it possible to use your mac as a pc monitor.

Use an imac as an external monitor or extended display for your macbook pro. How to use my imac as a display monitor for my ps4 quora. A pc or windows laptop with either one of these four ports thunderbolt port display port mini display port usb ctype connector now check for the ports on your imac, your. Late 2009 and mid2010 27inch imacs featuring mini display port. How can a hp use a mid 2011 imac 27 as second monitor. Nov 11, 2015 hi, im using my imac 27 late 2009 as a monitor with an nvidia gtx 760 and a cable displayport mini displayport. To use an imac 27inch, mid 2010 or imac 27inch, late 2009 in target display mode with another computer as the source. Using imac as monitor requires very specific cable cult. Can an imac act as a second monitor for a windows pc.

Macbook pro using a 2019 imac 27 retina as external monitor to a 2018 macbook pro 23. On some of the older ones there is the mini displayport connection to mini displayport, or mini. Apr 15, 2020 can i use imac as a monitor for mac mini. For full 5k resolution on a larger display, the ultrafine 5k is your perfect. In the past, to use it as a monitor you had to change the old mac, or use some network software, but now apple has met this need with an excellent feature called target monitor mode. There are so many other monitors that will work with your. Will the 2018 mac mini be able to use my 2011 imac in target. Step 2 plug one end of the compatible cable into the hdmi, display port. Thanks to the updated specs and increase in price of the mac mini, its begun to creep up.

Its a lot easier on your mac if you use an external, 1080p display 1920 x 1080 2,073,600 pixels, rather than an external, 4k display 3840 x 2160 8,294,400 pixels. Today, the mac mini has become a popular choice for most people who find the mac pc to be too expensive. I knew i wanted some 27 inches or so, the same size as an imac. Connecting surface pro to an imac as a monitor windows. This monitor is primarily designed for gaming, but that doesnt mean that it cant perform just as well for productivity tasks. In the coming weeks the adapter will be available to use it as a display. Take a look at the ports, and if your imac features a thunderbolt or mini display port, it can be used as a monitor. Or, how do i use the apple mini displayport to connect a second monitor to my imac or macbook pro. The more displays you use, the more of a performance hit your mac is going to take. You will need to have a displayport or minidisplayport capable pc in order to do this. However, the size of the screen can be quite limiting and this is what would force you to look for an external display. So if you are planning to use your 2009 imac in target display mode for a 2011 or 2012 mac mini. The thunderbolt 3 charges the mac mini, and the three usbc ports offer 5gbps downstream.

The same mini displayport or thunderbolt port can be used as a video input that allows your imac to serve as a monitor for another mac. If i understand correctly, only 27 imacs have this feature built in, but it looks like i have two additonal options. This makes a big difference to me, as i will have to buy a new monitor if i go ahead with a mac mini. I am leaning toward getting a new mac mini and a 32 monitor, or a 27 imac. This adapter is not compatible with displays that use displayport or mini displayport, such as the. This replaces a vizio 24 tv monitor on my mac mini and i like it much better, it provides a great picture without the glare that the vizio caused so if you want a monitor that isnt as harsh this is a great buy. Your mac only has so much processing power, particularly when it comes to graphics. With the right cables and ports, you can use your old imac as a monitor for your mac mini. Use external monitors with your mac learn how to connect another display to your mac and choose how your displays work together. Use a 27inch imac with a mini displayport as an external display. Just stick to big screen tvs for movie tv viewing and monitors for gaming. It seems like i can get the mac mini setup for a few hundred less with basically the same specs. Target monitor mode requires that macs have mini displayport or thunderbolt connection. This replaces a vizio 24 tvmonitor on my mac mini and i like it much better, it provides a great picture without the glare that the vizio caused so if you want a monitor that isnt as harsh this is a great buy.