Use imac as external monitor for macbook air

You can use an external display, a projector, or an hdtv with your macbook air. Connect a macbook to an imacs display with target display. Use an imac with thunderbolt as an external display. Use your imac as a display with target display mode system requirements. Can i use my macbooks monitor as an external display to a. For the the second external monitor 2007 imac i just shared the primary screen of the laptop, then connected to that laptop from the imac, and wow, there it is. I was wondering if i could use my 2015 macbook air which has a thunderbolt 2 port as an external monitor display connecting to my pc as a second monitor.

Use a usbc digital av multiport adapter to connect the hdmi display or. Each year at imore, we look at the newest monitors and put them through the paces. Apr 24, 2020 learn how to connect another display to your mac and choose how your displays work together. Dec 31, 2009 force macbook to boot with external monitor mini spy. 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. Because the macbook air and the imac use the same apple mini displayport technology to connect to external monitors, the process of connecting an external monitor to a macbook air is nearly the same as connecting a dual monitor to an imac. Use a 27inch imac with a mini displayport as an external display connect the mini displayport cable to the ports on each mac. One should not limit the use of luna display to mac mini as users can always use this dongle with macbook air, macbook pro, or an imac. Jun 22, 2019 the imac features one of the best displays on the market, and if you are lucky to have a 4k retina monitor, the vibrant screen is likely to make your workflow more pleasant. Ive spoken with multiple apple reps and im not getting a clear answer. If you want the imac to play audio as well as video from the.

Based on this, we consider the lg 27uk850w the best monitor you can currently buy for the apple. Ive had the aluminum imac for a while in the home office and recently upgraded to the aluminum macbook 2. If you use an external display with your mac notebook, you can also use closeddisplay mode. Apr 16, 2015 hi friends, in this video i will show you how can you connect hdmi cable to macbook air with bluerigger mini display port to hdmi convertor. Connect macbook air to external display with hdmi cable. If youre looking for a largescreen display to go with your macbook air or macbook pro. I am also trying to use a 27 imac late 2009 model as an external display with a 20 macbook air, but with no success so far. Im tired of working on an 11 screen, was thinking of upgrading either to an imac 27 or going with.

Mac pro using 2007 imac as secondary display macrumors. 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. Get a 27 imac for desktop at home, and keep using the old mba for class. Our favorite model, the lg 27uk850w, is a terrific choice for anyone looking for a great performance monitor at a fair price. On the other hand, the apple ecosystem now lets you easily use.

Once you do that, your machine will identify and use the second monitor. Press commandf2 on the keyboard of the external display imac. But can you use imac as monitor for windows pc, ps4. Sep 04, 2016 you could probably use a tool like splashtop to extend your pcs desktop over onto the mac. Apr 11, 2020 picking the right second screen for your macbook, macbook air, or macbook pro is a difficult one.

Hi, i currently have a windows 10 gaming pc with 1 monitor which uses a display port. In particular, we see how to use an old imac as an external monitor of a macbook. How sidecar works once you have macos catalina installed on your mac, you can connect your ipad to your computer and use it as an external display. You can make all of your displays mirror each other, or extend your workspace with different apps and windows on each display. This means you can even use the new macbook air with apples pro display xdr. 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. Lower resolution displays additionally will work, but an ideal choice for the late 2018 and 2019 retina macbook air models is the apple recommended 27 lg ultrafine 5k display. Well i was in for a notsopleasant surprise, when i realized that this wasnt supported in apples most recent imac retina 5k.

Using imac as an external monitor to my macbook pro. 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. 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. The new 2020 macbook air is out with the upgraded magic keyboard, new processor options, double the storage, and expanded external display support. The early 2015 and early 2016 retina macbook models each can simultaneously support the internal display as well as an external display at a resolution as high as 3840x2160 at 30 hz. Although they can be connected to a 4k display via hdmi, they are not capable of using a 4k display at 60 hz like macbook air and macbook pro models available. Even if youre a huge macbook fan, from time to time you may still miss. Connect your macbook pro or macbook air to an external display or tv using rocketfish hdmi to thunderbolt minidisplay port adapter can we. Though the 12inch macbook could rise again as a design based on an apple arm processor. Use a 27inch imac with a mini displayport as an external display.

The usbc ports on your macbook air support video output. Hi, anyone actually connected a surface pro to an imac to enable the imac to act as a monitor. You can now ask samsungs bixby to play netflix movies and series. How to use a second screen with a mac, connect a monitor.

With it, you can use your ipad as a secondary monitor or as a mirrored display that works with apple pencil and accessories like a mouse and keyboard. Is it possible to use a 21 imac as an external monitor. Can i use a 2019 imac as a monitor for a macbook pro. Its not well known, but, for example, a macbook pro air can connect to and drive a 27inch imac display either as an additional display or mirror mode using whats called target display mode tdm. If target display mode isnt working to connect your imac as an external display, there are a few things.

Also, the 29 inch imac input if thunderbolt, so not even sure its possible to get a mini displayport to thunderbolt cable. Fortunately, you can opt to use only an external display, but you need a spare keyboard, and a mouse or magic trackpad to do so. Can i use my macbooks monitor as an external display to a pc. You have an old imac that has a perfectly good display. It is not possible to use a 2017 imac as a monitor for a macbook pro. Mini displayport features on most macs and is used to connect to an external display. How to use an imac as an external monitor for a macbook. How to use windows laptop as external monitor for macbook pro. But can you use imac as monitor for windows pc, ps4, xbox and other nonapple devices. 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. Using an adapter you will be able to use it to connect your mac to a dvi or vga display. Luna display use ipad as display for mac mini, macbook. When i plugged the dvi cable back into the macbook, the external monitor.

My concern for 1 is, would an average external monitor look sad and intolerable compared to the retina screen of macbook pro. Theyre identical to the methods you use for non apple monitors, and well look at those next. Apple has a support page about this, with system requirements and display options. One of the best things you can do for your productivity is to add an external display to your macbook if it can handle it. A mac notebook or desktop with a mini displayport or thunderbolt port. If you have a 27inch imac with a mini displayport, any other mac with a mini displayport or. 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. If i bring my assume latest macbook pro into the office and would like to use it rather than. Use an external display with your macbook air apple support. A little digging, revealed apple s reasoning behind this. Youll also need a macbook or macbook pro that was made in 2016 or later, a 2015 27inch imac. It still works on preretina imacs with thunderbolt.

Is it possible to use a 21 imac as an external monitor from a macbook pro via thunderbolt. Apple originally hinted at the imac being used with dvd and bluray players as an. How to use your ipad as an external mac display with sidecar. Mar 24, 2020 when it comes time to purchase an external monitor for your macbook air, there are several things to keep in mind, including display performance, size, and price. You could probably use a tool like splashtop to extend your pcs desktop over onto the mac. Its usually a lot easier to hook up an external monitor to a pc rather. 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. Id consider buying one if i could use it as a monitor for my macbook pro. The only apple supported method for running two traditional external displays hdmi, displayport, mini displayport, dvi or vga, in addition to power and data, with a single connection to a macbook is by using specific models of thunderbolt 3 tethered docking stations. Some imacs can pull double duty as a monitor for other macs. Im waiting on that setup until the new thunderbolt standard is built in to the new air and the imac 5k gets that so it can act as an external display. You could use this as your only computer all day every day without an. Best usbc monitors for macbook, macbook air and macbook pro. Using late2015 imac as a display for macbook air 2019 or vice versa.

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. How to connect an external display to your macbook, macbook. With target monitor mode you can connect two macs together and use one as a second display. Step 2 connect both your windows pc and macbook to the same wifi. Now that target display mode is no more, are there. Ive purchased a minidisplay port to minidisplay port cable, but that doesnt seem to work for me. How to set up multiple monitors with your mac cnet. You can, but you may be underwhelmed by the results. Here are the full details on external monitor support for the 2020 macbook air. This wikihow teaches you how to use your imac as a monitor for a macbook, as well as how to share files and printers between both computers.

Learn how to use target display mode to make your imac into a second monitor for your macbook, in a stepbystep process. Since mac mini is shipped without a display, luna display finds a suitable usage for mac mini users. We have a in macbook pro to work on and always use it plugged into an external monitor. How to add a second screen to your mac or macbook macworld. Is it possible to use a windows laptop as an external monitor for a macbook pro. One of the things apple recommends you try if you are using an apple notebook, such as a macbook, macbook air, or macbook pro is to connect the power adapter to give it additional power. Id like to get an external monitor for my 15 macbook pro, but the 27 cinema display is too large and too expensive for me. How do i connect an external monitor to my macbook air because the macbook air and the imac use the same apple mini displayport technology to connect to external monitors, the process of connecting an external monitor to a macbook air is nearly the same as connecting a dual monitor to an imac. On the imac that you want to use as your external monitor, press the. According to your post, you succeeded to use a 2009 imac as an external monitor. 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. Target display mode enables a macbook with a mini displayport or thunderbolt port to use imac as a second monitor so that you have a bigger display for work, movies, or games. To use target display mode, you just need to connect a supported macbook to a proper imac via a thunderbolt cable or a mini displayport cable and press commandf2. If an airplay passcode appears on your tv screen, enter the passcode on your mac.

Connect the thunderbolt cable to the thunderbolt ports on each mac. Say i had an imac assume newest models with 2 external displays usbcthunderbolt 3. Using late2015 imac as a display for macbook air 2019 or. Use an imac as an external monitor or extended display for your macbook pro. Ideally id like a 21 version of the thunderbolt cinema display but such a beast does not exist. On top of that, you can use target display mode to connect a macbook with a late 2009 or mid2010 imac. A thunderbolt cable or a mini displayport to mini displayport cable. You could also plug your macbook air into an external monitor but note that it has only two usb type c. If target display mode isnt working to connect your imac as an external display, there are a few things you can try that might. How to use an imac as a monitor for pc tech junkie. There are several options but none as good as target d. Simple ways to connect a macbook to an imac with pictures. Use an imac as a monitor or extended display for your macbook pro.

Best usbc monitors for macbook, macbook air and macbook. Aug 29, 2019 in particular, we see how to use an old imac as an external monitor of a macbook. 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. I do a lot of photography and have big programs running like photoshop, lightroom, etc. But is it possible to use your mac as a pc monitor. Use your imac as a display with target display mode.

If you want the imac to play audio as well as video from. Use a usbc vga multiport adapter to connect the display to a thunderbolt 3 usbc port on your macbook air. If you have an old mac, especially an imac that you do not use because it is obsolete, that has a builtin monitor, maybe youre wondering how to give it new life and then if you can use it as a second screen for the macbook you just bought. With a large and vibrant screen, imac can work as a great external monitor for pc and macbook. In fact, neither computer even recognizes the other as an external monitor.

Force macbook to boot with external monitor apple macos. Make sure both mac computers are turned on and awake. Learn about connecting dual monitors to a macbook air or pro. Wouldnt it be great if you could use it as a second monitor with your new macbook air. Read on for tips, and a bit about apples new thunderbolt display.

Some apple notebooks dont have enough juice to push the extra pixels of an external display. Nov 15, 2018 with a large and vibrant screen, imac can work as a great external monitor for pc and macbook. How to turn your imac into a secondary display the mac. Using a macbook air as a second monitor apple community. Any suggestions for unofficial cordsadapters to use aside from apple s dongle and thunderbolt 2 cord mixture extremely expensive method. I have aperture running on my mbp and could use the extra screen on the imac.

My mom is looking to buy a macbook air, currently has a late 2012 21. Most of these tips also apply for getting a main display for the mac pro and mac mini, as well as getting a second imac external display. Connecting surface pro to an imac as a monitor windows. Connect my 2015 macbook pro to my 2019 imac as an external. 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. The best alternative i can suggest is to use your television as an external display for your macbook air.

Trying to use my old 20 27 slow af imac as and external display for my new 2020 macbook air. Connecting a non apple monitor to a macbook the easiest non apple monitor to connect to an air or pro is one with an hdmi output, since most recent mac laptops have an hdmi port. Having those two will give you a beast to work on at home. Theres tips for the best way to use your external monitor with your macbook. What external displays are supported w the macbook air. Note that on most macs, the fkeys are assigned to a system function by default, so you will either have to revert this in the keyboard system.

Naturally, the ideal option is to use a thunderbolt 3usbc equipped display without any adapters. Target display mode not working on imacmacbook, how to solve. How to use an old imac as an secondary monitor for macbook. Thats why the lg ultrafine 4k is the perfect fit for most people. Mirror your display or use your tv as a separate display. Similar to target disk mode, where one macs internal hard drives can be. Target display mode iswas a macos and osx system function that allowed an imac to become a display for another mac. Or, if you purchase an apple tv 4, you can stream your content wirelessly to your tv using a feature called airplay. Step 1 download and install fonepaw screenmo on your windows pc. Some newer imac models cannot be used as external monitor for another mac. Even if you have that large, lovely 16inch macbook pro, that one monitor is not always enough for all the incredible things youd like to do and see with your computer. If youre in the market for an external monitor for your macbook air, youll quickly notice theres a wide selection from which to choose.