Sage-Tips

Can you repurpose an old iMac as a monitor?

You can use more than one iMac as a display, if each iMac is using a Thunderbolt cable to connect directly to a Thunderbolt port on the other Mac (not the other iMac). Press Command-F2 on the keyboard of the iMac. You should now see the desktop of the other Mac. To exit target display mode, press Command-F2 again.

How do I use my late 2009 iMac as a monitor?

1 Answer

1. Make sure both computers are turned on and awake.
2. Connect a male-to-male Mini DisplayPort cable to the Mini DisplayPort on each computer.
3. To leave Target Display mode, press Command + F2 on the keyboard of the 27-inch iMac that is in Target Display mode.

Can you turn a 2011 iMac into a monitor?

If you have an iMac made in mid-2011 or later, then one thing you can do with it is to use it as an external monitor. If none are around, then you can use the iMac for this purpose. The only thing you will need for this is a Thunderbolt cable.

Can you hook up a Mac mini to an old iMac?

If you have one of the iMacs with Target Display Mode, your Mac mini or another Mac can make use of your old 27-inch iMac as a display. Target Display Mode is only available on specific iMacs made between late 2009 and 2013.

Can you turn a 2007 iMac into a monitor?

Yes, absolutely. Gut out the iMac, install a compatible LCD driver board to your LCD panel, and you have converted your old iMac to a beautiful monitor.

Can you use iMac as a monitor for Mac mini?

The 27-inch iMacs introduced in late 2009 included the first version of Target Display Mode, a feature that allowed iMacs to be used as displays for other Apple devices. If you have one of the iMacs with Target Display Mode, your Mac mini or another Mac can make use of your old 27-inch iMac as a display.

Can I use a Mac mini with my old iMac?

Can older iMacs be upgraded?

Starting with Mojave Apple did not allow older Macs to upgrade to newer macOS versions. With every new macOS release the minimum year of Mac hardware increases. While most pre-2012 officially cannot be upgraded, there are unofficial workarounds for older Macs.