27" iMac as an External Monitor

pigoo3

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Not sure if anyone has touched on this yet...but we do get a fair number of questions such as:

"Can I use my iMac as an external monitor?"

...well I was just reading some details on the new 27" iMac...and YES it does have a "video in" port...and thus can be used as an external monitor...for say a laptop.:)

Apple iMac Hands On - iMac - Gizmodo

- Nick

175421-target_500.png
 
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Umm....I guess for temporarily using it as a second monitor to display things on a laptop in larger format, this makes sense....otherwise why not use the iMac that is superior in every way to a MBP?
 
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pigoo3

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Umm....I guess for temporarily using it as a second monitor to display things on a laptop in larger format, this makes sense....otherwise why not use the iMac that is superior in every way to a MBP?

I totally understand your logic, and looking at things as they stand now, you're absolutely right!!!:)...but think long term. In a couple years (or less) the 27" iMac that was launched today will not be "King of the Hill"...and it's external or 2nd monitor capabilities will be "lustfully" sought after.:)

Just think of all of the people that currently have older 20" or 24" iMacs (1,2, or 3 years old)...they would LOVE to be able to use them as a 2nd monitor!

- Nick
 
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Interesting. Now I have an excuse to go out and buy a 27" iMac.
 
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Haha, what are you planning on hooking up to it? Just another monitor or something like a DVD player?

Nope. Just something I can run my PowerMac on and get rid of a monitor and an old desktop PC, whilst still having two computers in my room on my desk. Unless of course that picture is a joke. Still it would be neat!
 
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Unless of course that picture is a joke. Still it would be neat!

Hey man...you think I'm pulling your leg with that picture???;)

Read the link as well!:) It also mentions the 27" screen being great for connecting a Blue-Ray player.

- Nick
 
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todd51

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Nope it's not a joke, if you look under the technical specs, or click "Compare" in the store, it states that the 27 inch quad-core model supports video input.
 
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Ah. Sweet. The video out makes it a perfect excuse to get it though.
 
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it states that the 27 inch quad-core model supports video input.

Hey I didn't catch that little detail...I just checked the specs...and as I read it, it looks like all 27" models have the video input.

At least that's the way it seems when I read it. That would be sort of "cheezy" of Apple to only have "video in" on just the quad-core models.

- Nick
 
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todd51

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Hey I didn't catch that little detail...I just checked the specs...and as I read it, it looks like all 27" models have the video input.

At least that's the way it seems when I read it. That would be sort of "cheezy" of Apple to only have "video in" on just the quad-core models.

- Nick

Sorry that's my bad, it's all 27 inch models.
 
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pigoo3

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Sorry that's my bad, it's all 27 inch models.

No problem...I'm glad you mentioned it, gave me a reason to go to the Apple site & review the specs!:)

- Nick
 
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So... here is how it works....

I bit the bullet and bought a 27" base model today.... I'll mainly be using it as an external to my macbook pro.

I did a writeup on my findings on my blog, which you can find by clicking here

Enjoy! :D
 
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That's interesting, since on Cnet they specifically said they don't know of any way to easily use it as an external monitor. It's surprising they missed something that is clearly a part of the specs.

This would be great for people with places that are "spacially challenged" and can use it for a mini entertainment center by connecting TV, Blu-Ray, and a gaming system like a PS3.
 
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I totally understand your logic, and looking at things as they stand now, you're absolutely right!!!:)...but think long term. In a couple years (or less) the 27" iMac that was launched today will not be "King of the Hill"...and it's external or 2nd monitor capabilities will be "lustfully" sought after.:)

Just think of all of the people that currently have older 20" or 24" iMacs (1,2, or 3 years old)...they would LOVE to be able to use them as a 2nd monitor!

- Nick

You are correct, sir! I didn't think long term...good call!
 
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pigoo3

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You are correct, sir! I didn't think long term...good call!

Hey...your logic was correct as well.:)

As a brand new speedy Macintosh model, the 27" iMac would be faster than most other previous Macs out there...so using the 27" iMac as a 2nd monitor would seem a little silly in the short term if it has a faster CPU than the other Mac that would be trying to use it as a 2nd monitor.

Maybe the "video in" ability on the new 27" iMac is meant more for things like an external blue-ray player, a PS3, or something else. It would only be after a couple years when newer & faster Macs are released that the current 27" iMac might become attractive as a 2nd monitor for a faster Mac.

All is good,:)

- Nick
 
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pigoo3

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So, it's possible or not use as external monitor? I hope so...

It's already been stated multiple times in this thread that the new 27" iMac supports "video in" which means it could be used as a 2nd monitor/external monitor.

But if you still have your doubts read this:

Apple - iMac - Technical Specifications

...specifically the "Graphics and Video Support" section.

And there's this photo (which hasn't been "photoshopped") which visually display's this ability:

175421-target_500.png


Hope this helps,

- Nick
 

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It's already been stated multiple times in this thread that the new 27" iMac supports "video in" which means it could be used as a 2nd monitor/external monitor.

But if you still have your doubts read this:

Apple - iMac - Technical Specifications

...specifically the "Graphics and Video Support" section.

And there's this photo (which hasn't been "photoshopped") which visually display's this ability:

175421-target_500.png


Hope this helps,

- Nick

Sorry my insistence... thank you for answering! ;)
 

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