To use my 24" iMac as a monitor...?

i have a 24" iMac, beautiful monitor, but i dont have windows on it, and unfortunately i need to run windows for a couple business applications.

i have a much newer macbook pro, with windows, that runs great.


couple questions:

how do i use my iMac just as a monitor, and run off my MBP? Do they make a mini-display to mini-display cable i can use?

If not, what cable would i use? Can i shut my MBP and tuck it away as i use it?

You can't use the iMac as a monitor for another computer. There is no video input, only video out.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

man i knew that was gonna be the answer.
what the heck.
no video in, no digital audio out.

*sigh*

well thanks for the info.

i guess my next question is.. if i run mini-display to hdmi to use my TV as a monitor, what do i need to do to be able to shut my macbook so i can tuck it away as i use it.

ha and please dont tell me i cant.. i really want to be able to hide it away neatly, and also save some energy with the monitor on the comp not glaring away for no reason.

u need a USB or Bluetooth Keyboard and Mouse. Google 'Clamshell mode'

Where did you get the idea there is no digital audio out? That definitely is not the case. Don't believe there has been a Mac made in at least the last three years that does not have digital out.

bobtomay said:

Where did you get the idea there is no digital audio out? That definitely is not the case. Don't believe there has been a Mac made in at least the last three years that does not have digital out.

Click to expand...

...whaaaaa?!

what am i missing?

i assumed the only audio-out was the 3.5mm jack, which definitely only puts out stereo audio

The jack is a combined analog and digital port. All you need is a mini-toslink adapter or a mini-toslink to toslink (optical) for digital out. The system will output 5.1 from a source that has 5.1. It will not output 5.1 from 2 channel sources as most music would be. but you can still do everything through optical out to your surround receiver or other device.

adapter

cable

bobtomay said:

The jack is a combined analog and digital port. All you need is a mini-toslink adapter or a mini-toslink to toslink (optical) for digital out. The system will output 5.1 from a source that has 5.1. It will not output 5.1 from 2 channel sources as most music would be. but you can still do everything through optical out to your surround receiver or other device.

adapter

cable

Click to expand...

yeah i've read in to those adapters a bunch (been in the home theater game for years.. my pops owns an audio-installation business, im an HT specialist at bestbuy) I appreciate the suggestion but they still dont send out the audio quality that an HDMI or true fiber optic port would.

also, just incase you're interested, i just came across this app ScreenRecycler that sort of allows you to do what we were talking about earlier -- use an iMac as a monitor for another comp. check it out, i haven't toyed with it yet but im going to as soon as the phils game is over.. seems pretty cool.

ScreenRecycler: home

y0itsj0hn said:

yeah i've read in to those adapters a bunch (been in the home theater game for years.. my pops owns an audio-installation business, im an HT specialist at bestbuy) I appreciate the suggestion but they still dont send out the audio quality that an HDMI or true fiber optic port would.

also, just incase you're interested, i just came across this app ScreenRecycler that sort of allows you to do what we were talking about earlier -- use an iMac as a monitor for another comp. check it out, i haven't toyed with it yet but im going to as soon as the phils game is over.. seems pretty cool.

ScreenRecycler: home

Click to expand...

Nice find - I always forget about that app that allows you to use ethernet to accomplish the task.

And if you're in HT, you should know that digital audio cables carry zeros and ones. An optical cable has the bandwidth to carry any digital signal today except DD+, D THD and DTS HD. Except for those three formats, there is no need for a HDMI, fiber optic or the new upstart displayport cable. And since, as of yet, there is no HD DVD or Blu-Ray commercial playback support on a Mac, the toslink cable will carry exactly the same zeros and ones as any of those other cables and really has nothing to do with whether you have digital out on your Mac.

bobtomay said:

Nice find - I always forget about that app that allows you to use ethernet to accomplish the task.

And if you're in HT, you should know that digital audio cables carry zeros and ones. An optical cable has the bandwidth to carry any digital signal today except DD+, D THD and DTS HD. Except for those three formats, there is no need for a HDMI, fiber optic or the new upstart displayport cable. And since, as of yet, there is no HD DVD or Blu-Ray commercial playback support on a Mac, the toslink cable will carry exactly the same zeros and ones as any of those other cables and really has nothing to do with whether you have digital out on your Mac.

Click to expand...

WOW! the things u learn in this place are priceless!!LOL. Keep it coming guys!;D