iMac as a Monitor

I have an iMac 20" and a MacMini.

Is there any way to use the display of the iMac to see output from the MacMini, other than by doing a remote connection to the latter? I mean is there a connecting lead which will input the display from the MacMini to the iMac? There is a very small port on the back of the iMac, but I think that might be output only.

The problem with the remote connection is that I have not yet managed to make the connection without being granted permission from the MacMini - which requires a screen on that - which is exactly what I am trying to avoid.

Nighthawk4 said:

... There is a very small port on the back of the iMac, but I think that might be output only.

...

Click to expand...

And you would be correct.

Thanks.

That was what I feared. So it can't be done?


Is there any way to setup the MacMini so I can connect to it without needing a monitor or keyboard on it?

If both have mini display ports try this

Using iMac As Monitor Requires Very Specific Cable | Cult of Mac

Sadly the MacMini has a DVI output, so that seems unlikely to work.

Strange that the graphics connector on the MacMini is larger than that on the iMac

I believe the last gen 20" only has mini-display port 'out' also. Only the new 21.5" and 27" have the mini-display port "in" option.

If Apple had gone with a standard DVI or HDMI instead of that stupid displayport, they could have sold at least one more unit.

I agree. A few more USB ports would have helped too. My MacMini has more USB ports (and a proper DVI port) than the iMac.

Look into VNC software where you have a server on the Mac Mini and use the iMac as a client. This way you only have to input a password on the iMac and you'll be granted full access to the Mini.