Use 27" IMAC as monitor

[Surfbull]

Greetings,

I own a Mid 2011 27" IMAC that I want to use as a monitor for a new MAC mini or Studio. Is that possible? It would save me some money.

Regards

 

[Raz0rEdge]

It's not worth it. The iMac can be used as a monitor in a pinch, but I absolutely would not use it as your primary monitor. A decent 27" 2K monitor is $250. If you're spending upwards of 1200 or 1600 for the Mac Mini or Studio, include money in your budget for a decent display.

You've gotten your use out of the 10 year old iMac no doubt, see if you can send it off to a school if still works or safely recycle it if it doesn't.

 

[Slydude]

Your Mac is within the time period where several Macs supported this feature. See here for additional information Turn Your Old iMac Into a Monitor Using Target Display Mode

I'm all in favor of new uses for older Macs but probably isn't a great idea. The older Mac isn't gping to generate a picture anywhere near what your new Mac is capable of generating.

I see RazOr beat me to it.

 

[Surfbull]

It's not worth it. The iMac can be used as a monitor in a pinch, but I absolutely would not use it as your primary monitor. A decent 27" 2K monitor is $250. If you're spending upwards of 1200 or 1600 for the Mac Mini or Studio, include money in your budget for a decent display.

You've gotten your use out of the 10 year old iMac no doubt, see if you can send it off to a school if still works or safely recycle it if it doesn't.

Thanks for your input!

 

[Surfbull]

Your Mac is within the time period where several Macs supported this feature. See here for additional information Turn Your Old iMac Into a Monitor Using Target Display Mode

I'm all in favor of new uses for older Macs but probably isn't a great idea. The older Mac isn't gping to generate a picture anywhere near what your new Mac is capable of generating.

I see RazOr beat me to it.

I am happy with the system I have and really don't want to upgrade but am concerned with not being able to upgrade and security issues. Thanks for you input.

 

[pm-r]

I am happy with the system I have and really don't want to upgrade but am concerned with not being able to upgrade and security issues. Thanks for you input.

Just my two bits, but I am also using the same vintage Mac model, and I am also using a vintage Mac OS version, Mavericks 10.9.5 as it works well for me and I like some of the application features that the later versions removed.

Your Mac model is able to use a later Mac OS version, right up to High Sierra if you want, that is still actively supported by Apple. Unless you were wanting some new features supported with a newer Mac model but that doesn't sound like you need or want that from what you said.



- Patrick
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[Randy B. Singer]

Luna Display ($120)
https://astropad.com/product/lunadisplay/
allows you to use iMacs that otherwise can't be used as an external display as one (unfortunately, it's priced close to what you would pay for a brand-new external display)

Also see:

Use your iMac as an external monitor
https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/how-to-use-your-imac-as-a-monitor/

 

[pm-r]

Use your iMac as an external monitor...

Hmmm...??? Odd, I have such a mid-2011 iMac, and I usually find Topher Kessler bang on with his hints and suggestions, but the suggested command+F2 keyboard press does absolutely nothing, as though nothing had happened.

And no, none of the keyboard shortcuts have been modified or changed on my iMac.

Anyway I doubt if I would ever need or use the feature. Just saying it didn't work on my iMac...



- Patrick
=======

 

[Surfbull]

Luna Display ($120)
Luna Display — by Astropad
allows you to use iMacs that otherwise can't be used as an external display as one (unfortunately, it's priced close to what you would pay for a brand-new external display)

Also see:

Use your iMac as an external monitor
How to use your iMac as an external monitor

I didn't know that.

Thanks,
Bob