If a macbook pro is your primary computer, youre probably going to want a bigscreen monitor for your desktop. Connecting surface pro to an imac as a monitor windows. I have aperture running on my mbp and could use the extra screen on the imac. This gives you a bigger screen without needing to buy. A little digging, revealed apples reasoning behind this. How to best connect external displays to macs techrepublic. I know the mac supports target mode to connect mac to mac, but not sure if it will recognise a windows device in the same way. Before you can connect your mac to an external monitor, however, you have to know what kind of cable to use. I have a 27 2017 imac that is my personal device and a 2017 15 macbook pro from work.
Stack overflow for teams is a private, secure spot for you and your coworkers to find and share information. Use an imac as a monitor or extended display for your macbook pro. The best external monitors for your thunderbolt 3 macbook pro. One, it means i only need one screen the ipad for two computers. How to use a second screen with a mac, connect a monitor. If you want the imac to play audio as well as video from.
Use a 27inch imac with a mini displayport as an external display connect the mini displayport cable to the ports on each mac. Learn more how to use windows laptop as external monitor for macbook pro. Press commandf2 on the keyboard of the external display imac. Im a student who needs big screens for reading and writing papers. Get a 27 imac for desktop at home, and keep using the old mba for class. Apple removed the target monitor feature in the last generation of imacs. The 27inch imac has a bidirectional mini displayport or a thunderbolt port depending on the model that can be used to drive a second monitor. But can you use imac as monitor for windows pc, ps4, xbox and other nonapple devices. Can i use a 2019 imac as a monitor for a macbook pro. The only way to use tdm is from a mac to another mac. You can use an external display, a projector, or an hdtv with your macbookpro. Force macbook to boot with external monitor apple macos.
Using imac as external monitor for macboo apple community. The best monitor for the macbook pro digital trends. The imac is connected using an apple thunderbolt 2 cable and an. I have an macbook pro that i am running most of my programs on and wondered if i can hook it up to my 24 inch imac. Ive been using my old imac 27inch, late 2012 as an external monitor for my new macbook pro 15inch 2018 for about a month now.
And the truth is, it is possible to use imac as monitor for pc, providing you have a compatible imac and pc, and are using a right cable. Well, its the biggest cousin that lets you use a macs hard drive like an external drive on. My question is if there is a chance to use it as an external monitor attaching a lcd controller to the screen. Mar 26, 2014 if you have an imac made in mid2011 or later, then one thing you can do with it is to use it as an external monitor. Using my ipad as a monitor for the mac is great for two reasons. I am trying to use the imac as a monitor for my mbp. All you need is an imac that supports tdm and a thunderbolt cable. If you use an external display with your mac notebook, you can also use closeddisplay mode. With a large and vibrant screen, imac can work as a great external monitor for pc and macbook. The imac is connected using an apple thunderbolt 2 cable and an apple thunderbolt 3 adapter.
Click and hold on a display to show a red outline on the corresponding monitor. Similar to target disk mode, where one mac s internal hard drives can be. Does that mean there is a way to use an imac retina 5k as an external, secondary monitor for a recent macbook pro. Trying to connect the surface pro to my imac and use it as a screen. Late 2012 imac as an external monitor for a windows pc. Use external monitors full screen with parallels desktop for mac. However, you do need a compatible imac and pc, plus a special cableadapter. But theres also conflicting posts saying some people have found out how to get a windows pc to display on a thunderbolt equipped imac or that you have to use a specific cable. Use external monitors with your mac learn more get help with video issues on displays that are connected to your mac. Use your imac as a display with target display mode system requirements. Use an external display with your macbook pro apple support. If you have an imac made in mid2011 or later, then one thing you can do with it is to use it as an external monitor.
Force macbook to boot with external monitor mini spy. Use multiple displays with windows on your mac pro late 20. Dec 12, 2018 using my ipad as a monitor for the mac is great for two reasons. The cost of a macbook pro and a nice display is pretty comparable to a. If you will never move the computer, go for the imac. How to use an old imac as an secondary monitor for macbook. With target display mode, it is possible to use some compatible imac, such as 27inch imac in late 2009, mid 2010, as monitor for macbook proair. How to add and configure an external display to your mac. If you want to try and maintain the same level of definition as your current display, here are the best 4k monitors for your mac. Desktop headless macs like mac mini and mac pro are ecological, whereas allinone desktops like imac are antiecological, since a cpu may last seven years, but a display lasts more more than 20. Use an imac as an external monitor or extended display for your macbook pro. Some imacs can pull double duty as a monitor for other macs. Some newer imac models cannot be used as external monitor for another mac. I like connecting an external monitor to my imac for a variety of reasons, including a keeping my rockmelt browser on that screen, b playing movies on that screen, and c using the extra monitor as a clipboard location, where i can place notes.
Similar to target disk mode, where one macs internal hard drives can be mounted as external drives via firewire or thunderbolt to another. Apps that were open on the external display mac remain open even though you cant see their windows. It is not possible to use a 2017 imac as a monitor for a macbook pro. Still, it can be quite compelling to see your mac mini making use of your older 27inch imac as a display, or for troubleshooting an imac having display issues. These are some of the toprated options compatible with thunderbolt 3 or usbc, in. Apr 14, 2020 your mac or macbooks display is already gorgeous, but if youre in the market for a second display or even something larger than what you have, a 4k monitor is a massive step in the right direction. Restart your system and then close the lid so the lid sensor acknowledges the lid is closed your external display should automatically become the primary display. Hey guys, im a designer looking to get a new setup. How to use surface pro 2 with an imac display or any. With your external display s connected, launch system preferences displays.
If your macbook or macbook pro was manufactured after 2015, then you will need a usbc thunderbolt 3 cable that goes to vga, dvi, or hdmi. How to use your ipad pro as a display for your mac mini. Use a usbc vga multiport adapter to connect the display to a thunderbolt3 usbc port on your macbookpro. So far it has worked great until i came back from lunch today. Ask different is a question and answer site for power users of apple hardware and software. Oct 27, 20 here is a quick video on how to use the microsoft surface pro 2 or any other windows 8 device with a display out port with an imac display. As of this writing, the imac supports the use of the builtin display and one external monitor up to 30. For example, if you have a macbook pro you could use an imac as the display and for playing audio. Get a thunderbolt 3 to thunderbolt 2 adapter here get an. Learn how to connect another display to your mac and choose how your displays work together. And two, it lets me use the mac as if it were just another app.
Surface pro on apple displayimac microsoft community. Using 4k displays, 5k displays, and ultra hd tvs with your mac. Posted on mar14 i macs since 2009 have all supported target display mode, which basically lets you hook up your macbook pro using thunderbolt to your imac and use the imac as an external monitor for the macbook. After connecting the computers and turning on target display mode, the external display mac acts like any other external display. So apparently the late 2012 imacs killed off the ability to use imacs as an external display for the most part. Dec 01, 2016 before you can connect your mac to an external monitor, however, you have to know what kind of cable to use. Apr 24, 2020 use external monitors with your mac learn how to connect another display to your mac and choose how your displays work together. How to turn your imac into a secondary display the mac. Mar 16, 2020 still, it can be quite compelling to see your mac mini making use of your older 27inch imac as a display, or for troubleshooting an imac having display issues. This should cause your mac to see the external monitor. You can make all of your displays mirror each other, or extend your workspace with different apps and windows on each display.
Feb 14, 2018 i have a 27 2017 imac that is my personal device and a 2017 15 macbook pro from work. My concern for 1 is, would an average external monitor look sad and intolerable compared to the retina screen of macbook pro. This post is going to show you not only how to use imac as external monitor for pc with the right cable, but also the other way around, use pc as external monitor for mac laptops or even imacs. How to use a second screen with a mac, connect a monitor to. With target monitor mode you can connect two macs together and use one as a second display. While the stand itself is pretty minimal, and pretty nice, i do also wish it was a little bit more flat so that it would balance a bit more nicely on my monitor stand, and i also wish the monitor connections in the back were vertical to be plugged in to the monitor.
With target display mode, it is possible to use some compatible imac, such as 27inch imac in late 2009, mid 2010, as monitor for macbook pro air. Possible to use 2017 imac as monitor for apple community. You can view your parallels desktop virtual machine on your native display or an external monitor so it looks just like it would if you were using a windows pc. As i said, the easiest way to hook up an external monitor or a tv to your macbook would be to run an hdmi cable from either a monitor or tv directly to your mac. I have a mini displayport to mini displayport cable but it will not recognize the surface pro. I was advised at the apple store that all i had to do was use a thunderbolt 3 to thunderbolt 3 cable to connect the two and power them up and should be good to go.
For example, a macbook pro could use a 27inch imac as the display and play its audio on the imac as well. This article will provide a stepbystep guide on how to do it, as well as an overview of the necessary gear. Jun 22, 2019 but is it possible to use your mac as a pc monitor. This will also work with stand alone displays as well. Oct 19, 2019 with your external display s connected, launch system preferences displays. To answer the question right away yes, it is possible to use your imac as a pc monitor. From production rendering to playing hundreds of virtual instruments to simulating an ios app on multiple devices at once, its exceedingly capable. Thats why the lg ultrafine 4k is the perfect fit for most people. Youll also need a macbook or macbook pro that was made in 2016 or later, a 2015 27inch imac 5k. You can view the desktop of your mac on the display of some imac models using target display mode.
You can follow the question or vote as helpful, but you cannot reply to this thread. It is not possible to use an imac pro or any other current imac model as a monitor using a hardware connection. Feb 25, 2015 if you will never move the computer, go for the imac. Target monitor mode is a similar function, allowing you to use an old imac as a monitor.
How to add a second screen to your mac or macbook macworld. I like the portability of the macbook pro but love the display of the imac 5k. Mac pro is designed for pros who need the ultimate in cpu performance. Picking the right second screen for your macbook, macbook air, or macbook pro is a difficult one. Macbook pro how to use external monitor right from boot. This was something apple talked about during the ipad pros. Its important to consider how much room you have on your desk, what you plan to use your mac laptop for, and how much you can afford. Best usbc monitors for macbook, macbook air and macbook. Is it possible to use macbook as a display for mac pro. Through that usbc connection, you can use a wide range of accessories and peripherals with the ipad, including external monitors. I was advised at the apple store that all i had to do was use a thunderbolt 3 to thunderbolt 3 cable to. For example, if you have a macbook pro you could use an imac as the.
If you have both a macbook and an imac, you can use the imac as a display for the macbook, or use an imac as a display for another imac. My goal is to make a switch to use the iternal hard core2duo or use the imac as external monitor with a dvi plug on the back. Aug 29, 2019 well, its the biggest cousin that lets you use a macs hard drive like an external drive on an old mac. Can you use imac retina 5k as external monitor for a macbook pro. Jan 09, 2017 whether youre a fresh adopter of virtual machines or a longtime lover of virtualization, parallels desktop for mac has optimized support for your external monitors and full screen mode.
Similar to target disk mode, where one macs internal hard drives can be mounted as external drives via firewire or thunderbolt to another system, target display mode allows an imacs display to be captured and used by a second mac. With target display mode you can use the imac as a display for the macbook, or use an imac as a display for another imac. Also, the 29 inch imac input if thunderbolt, so not even sure its possible to get a mini displayport to thunderbolt cable. I hope this information on how to configure an imac external monitor imac dual monitor has been helpful. Similar to target disk mode, where one macs internal hard drives can be. I have a 20 macbook air 4g ram, 128g and a 24 monitor. How to use the new ipad pro with an external monitor cnet. Use external monitors full screen with parallels desktop. How to add and configure an external display to your mac laptop. Jan 14, 2019 use an imac as a monitor or extended display for your macbook pro. If this fails you may have something deeper here than just a messed up lcd.
If target display mode isnt working to connect your imac as an external display, there are a few things you can try. Id consider buying one if i could use it as a monitor for my macbook pro. You can, however, fake it using software such as remote desktop or other screen sharing software. But an imac with 8, 10, 14, or 18 cores is an entirely different creature. Can i mod an early 2009 24 imac to external monitor.
Connect my 2015 macbook pro to my 2019 imac as an external. Use an external display with your macbookpro the thunderbolt3 ports on your macbookpro support video output. At least with the 27 version, you can upgrade the memory if you want to. Its usually a lot easier to hook up an external monitor to a pc rather than a mac, as you can usually just use any ol hdmi. I have a 2012 27 imac at my office for business use, and a rmbp at home, connected to a decent 23 monitor. How do i use my 27 inch imac as an external monitor. I am connecting 27 inch imac to my mac book pro which runs majave os using a thunderbolt 3 usbc connector. Target monitor mode to use an imac as an external monitor target monitor mode is a feature introduced by apple in the latest versions of the operating system. How to use an imac as a monitor for pc tech junkie. The same mini displayport or thunderbolt port can be used as a video input that allows your imac to serve as a monitor for another mac. Hi, anyone actually connected a surface pro to an imac to enable the imac to act as a monitor. Whether youre a fresh adopter of virtual machines or a longtime lover of virtualization, parallels desktop for mac has optimized support for your external monitors and full screen mode. Here is a quick video on how to use the microsoft surface pro 2 or any other windows 8 device with a display out port with an imac display.
Connecting another mac to your imac the 27inch imac has a bidirectional mini displayport or a thunderbolt port depending on the model that can be used to drive a second monitor. In some cases, you can also use target display mode to play the sound from your mac called the primary mac on the speakers of the external imac. Using imac as an external monitor to my macbook pro. Also, the 29 inch imac input if thunderbolt, so not even sure its possible to get a mini displayport to thunderbolt cable or if thunderbolt is backwards. Macbook retina, 12inch, early 2015 a mac with builtin usbc or thunderbolt 3 usbc ports is required.