Perfectly functional gadgets sit quietly in a corner of the store room, doing nothing. Old LCD monitors are a perfect example of that. The iMac scores a lot of points in that area; one of its biggest strengths being the big, vibrant screen it sports.

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Sure, it looked large in the store, but opening numerous applications and windows on it, As the name implies, TDM allows you to use your iMac as an external monitor for your other supported devices. Depending on the make and model of your iMac and source computer, you can even seed audio to the iMac.

When you go out of Target Display Mode or put your source computer to sleep, the iMac reclaims its screen and heads off from there. The idea is to connect the Mini DisplayPorts or Thunderbolt ports of your iMac and your source computer.

Still, ports are important. As the interface between your computer and everything else, your Read Morecompatibility between devices depends on the ports that are available and the cable you use to connect them. It boils down to this: If you have an old iMac with a DisplayPort, you can use a source device that has either a DisplayPort or a Thunderbolt port as long as you use a DisplayPort cable.

If that makes your head spin, just look up your iMac in the table below to see what cables and source devices are supported. Alternatively, look at the icon next to the physical port on your computer. Thunderbolt is marked with a lightning bolt icon, Mini DisplayPort looks similar, but is marked with a square-shaped icon. The above specifications need to be met to be able to use Target Display Mode and start using your iMac as an external display.

Depending on your source device, you might also be able to use the iMac as an audio output device when in Target Display Mode.

If your source device has a Thunderbolt port, audio transmission is supported by default. Some Mini DisplayPort Macs can also output audio. When presented with a big iMac display, a lot of people would rather connect their Xbox or PlayStation than their MacBook. If you have an older iMac with Mini DisplayPort inch Lateor 27? Apart from another device equipped with Mini DisplayPort, you can use a third-party adapter to convert HDMI to Mini DisplayPort, like the Kanex XD.

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Will you be using your iMac as an external display? Maybe even repurpose a sluggish iMac as a monitor? Let us know in the comments below the article! Your email address will not be published. Same problem as daniel "I have a27 inch Imac. Is there anything i missed out? I have a27 inch Imac.

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Hi, I have got a 5K iMac. Will it work if using Mini DisplayPort to HDMI as sold on Apple website? HI ,I'm thinking in buying a retina 5k imac ,i was just wondering if i can connect my xbox one to it????

If this is not possible by default, I would omnicom stock options to know Is this because of HDCP, or does TDM just not work for HDMI devices regardless of HDCP? I have a way to get around the HDCP I use it for gameplay recordingso if that is the only thing standing in the way, I might buy one of those adapters. HI, please how can i repair my mac system which screen is just blank 01 10 2016 introduction to binary options with gdmfx keyboard and mouse not working i also have another mac system that just restart itself.

Hello I was wondering if there is a way to set you imac to start up as a external monitor by default. I have a mid Imac 27" with mavericks Now where can I purchase a working mini diplayport to mini diplayport cable? And no web shops in Norway have mini how to make money with your imac to mini diplayport cables. And the china-copy I got from "Mininthebox.

Would hdmi with adapter do the trick? My late iMacs's HDD crapped out and won't boot to the OS it just loops. Is there a way to just how to make money with your imac into TDM without having to boot to the dashboard? I just can't justify tossing such a beautiful display if there is a chance to use it without repairing the HDD. Was this ever answered?

I would love to do the same with my old iMac same problem as yours but looking to see if it is possible. I have a late 27" iMac whith a year old replaced screen and would like to use it as an additional monitor with my new iMac. Unfortunately the graphics card went haywire and I don't want to spend all the money Apple is asking to repair.

It still works in "safe mode" and also works in standard startup after I disabled the grpahics card startup items basically functioning like safe mode I have no issues with crashing now.

It it is obviously not a full functioning computer but the screen and operating system are still go. I decided to purchase a new iMac and was wondering if anyone knows if TDM will work with the old iMac in this condition. Also, when using TDM, are both screens functioning? The whole point would be to increase the screen real estate of the new iMac - not just use the larger 27".

I am trying to connect my HDSLR camera HDMI port to my late iMac via the Thunderbolt port - without luck so far. Thank you for this amazing tip. I recently purchased a new iMac and was wondering how to repurpose my older, early 24" iMac. I didn't want to throw it out because it is still good, I just can't use it for video editing anymore. Right now I have them sitting side by side, and I'm glad I can repurpose it as an external monitor for my current setup. Thanks for this tip.

I agree, it would be a shame to have to get rid of it specially when I read so much about other uses that an older mac can service. So now, I have to connect my old iMac via the display port to my new iMac via thunderbolt conection? I'm sorry, I only just noticed the iMac model you mentioned in your original post. As mentioned in the article, TDM was only introduced in and later iMacs, so it won't be available for yours. Alternatively, you could use an application like Air Display to use your iMac as an external display.

It's what I used before I found out about TDM. I'm a writer and computer sciences student from Belgium. You can always do me a favor with a good article idea, book recommendation, or recipe idea. Popular Topics The Internet Windows iPhone and iPad Android Mac Gaming. MakeUseOf 15 Weird Smart Home Gadgets No One Should Ever Want.

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Facebook Twitter Pinterest Stumbleupon Whatsapp Email. Would this work on a TB port on an MBA with Silly question I know, but could you use an iMac with a faulty logic board as a screen only?

It'd be a shame to throw it out, especially with a screen like that.

I didn't know about TDM. This makes adding a Mac Pro to my setup a whole lot easier. Simon Slangen articles. Xiaomi MiPad 3 Review. Noontec Hammo TV Wireless Headphones Review. Smart Home 15 Weird Smart Home Gadgets No One Should Ever Want. Technology Explained This Trick Makes a USB Drive Work Perfectly With Windows,…. Technology Explained How Much Power Does Your PC Need? Technology Explained HDMI 2. By buying the products we recommend, you help keep the lights on at MakeUseOf.

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