Learn about connecting dual monitors to a macbook air or pro. You could use this as your only computer all day every day without an. Using imac as an external monitor to my macbook pro. 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. Or, if you purchase an apple tv 4, you can stream your content wirelessly to your tv using a feature called airplay. It still works on preretina imacs with thunderbolt. Connect the thunderbolt cable to the thunderbolt ports on each mac.
How to turn your imac into a secondary display the mac. With a large and vibrant screen, imac can work as a great external monitor for pc and macbook. 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. Use a usbc digital av multiport adapter to connect the hdmi display or. I have aperture running on my mbp and could use the extra screen on the imac. 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. Read on for tips, and a bit about apples new thunderbolt display.
Thats why the lg ultrafine 4k is the perfect fit for most people. You could also plug your macbook air into an external monitor but note that it has only two usb type c. You can make all of your displays mirror each other, or extend your workspace with different apps and windows on each display. Now that target display mode is no more, are there. There are several options but none as good as target d.
Target display mode iswas a macos and osx system function that allowed an imac to become a display for another mac. If you want the imac to play audio as well as video from. Hi, i currently have a windows 10 gaming pc with 1 monitor which uses a display port. Use your imac as a display with target display mode system requirements. 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. Luna display use ipad as display for mac mini, macbook. How to add a second screen to your mac or macbook macworld. Connect a macbook to an imacs display with target display. If you want the imac to play audio as well as video from the. Our favorite model, the lg 27uk850w, is a terrific choice for anyone looking for a great performance monitor at a fair price.
Step 1 download and install fonepaw screenmo on your windows pc. 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. Once you do that, your machine will identify and use the second monitor. A mac notebook or desktop with a mini displayport or thunderbolt port.
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. Wouldnt it be great if you could use it as a second monitor with your new macbook air. The new 2020 macbook air is out with the upgraded magic keyboard, new processor options, double the storage, and expanded external display support. It is not possible to use a 2017 imac as a monitor for a macbook pro. 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. You can, but you may be underwhelmed by the results. Learn how to use target display mode to make your imac into a second monitor for your macbook, in a stepbystep process. 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. A thunderbolt cable or a mini displayport to mini displayport cable. In fact, neither computer even recognizes the other as an external monitor.
The best alternative i can suggest is to use your television as an external display for your macbook air. Some apple notebooks dont have enough juice to push the extra pixels of an external display. Sep 04, 2016 you could probably use a tool like splashtop to extend your pcs desktop over onto the mac. Connect macbook air to external display with hdmi cable. Nov 15, 2018 with a large and vibrant screen, imac can work as a great external monitor for pc and macbook. 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. Step 2 connect both your windows pc and macbook to the same wifi. Use a 27inch imac with a mini displayport as an external display connect the mini displayport cable to the ports on each mac. 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. You can use an external display, a projector, or an hdtv with your macbook air. What external displays are supported w the macbook air.
Similar to target disk mode, where one macs internal hard drives can be. Simple ways to connect a macbook to an imac with pictures. Based on this, we consider the lg 27uk850w the best monitor you can currently buy for the apple. Can i use my macbooks monitor as an external display to a. 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. I do a lot of photography and have big programs running like photoshop, lightroom, etc. Connect your macbook pro or macbook air to an external display or tv using rocketfish hdmi to thunderbolt minidisplay port adapter can we.
Use your imac as a display with target display mode. Using a macbook air as a second monitor apple community. Dec 31, 2009 force macbook to boot with external monitor mini spy. Ive spoken with multiple apple reps and im not getting a clear answer. Ive purchased a minidisplay port to minidisplay port cable, but that doesnt seem to work for me. Best usbc monitors for macbook, macbook air and macbook. But is it possible to use your mac as a pc monitor.
Use an imac as a monitor or extended display for your macbook pro. My mom is looking to buy a macbook air, currently has a late 2012 21. 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. You could probably use a tool like splashtop to extend your pcs desktop over onto the mac. 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. Id consider buying one if i could use it as a monitor for my macbook pro. Well i was in for a notsopleasant surprise, when i realized that this wasnt supported in apples most recent imac retina 5k. 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. Since mac mini is shipped without a display, luna display finds a suitable usage for mac mini users. Apr 11, 2020 picking the right second screen for your macbook, macbook air, or macbook pro is a difficult one. Target display mode not working on imacmacbook, how to solve.
Make sure both mac computers are turned on and awake. Force macbook to boot with external monitor apple macos. On the other hand, the apple ecosystem now lets you easily use. 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. Use an imac as an external monitor or extended display for your macbook pro. My concern for 1 is, would an average external monitor look sad and intolerable compared to the retina screen of macbook pro. Even if youre a huge macbook fan, from time to time you may still miss. 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. If target display mode isnt working to connect your imac as an external display, there are a few things. Mirror your display or use your tv as a separate display. Im tired of working on an 11 screen, was thinking of upgrading either to an imac 27 or going with. In particular, we see how to use an old imac as an external monitor of a macbook. Say i had an imac assume newest models with 2 external displays usbcthunderbolt 3.
On top of that, you can use target display mode to connect a macbook with a late 2009 or mid2010 imac. Trying to use my old 20 27 slow af imac as and external display for my new 2020 macbook air. This means you can even use the new macbook air with apples pro display xdr. According to your post, you succeeded to use a 2009 imac as an external monitor. Use a usbc vga multiport adapter to connect the display to a thunderbolt 3 usbc port on your macbook air. If i bring my assume latest macbook pro into the office and would like to use it rather than. 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. 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 connect an external display to your macbook, macbook. A little digging, revealed apple s reasoning behind this.
Can i use my macbooks monitor as an external display to a pc. Theres tips for the best way to use your external monitor with your macbook. 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. Any suggestions for unofficial cordsadapters to use aside from apple s dongle and thunderbolt 2 cord mixture extremely expensive method. Its usually a lot easier to hook up an external monitor to a pc rather. Connect my 2015 macbook pro to my 2019 imac as an external. Ideally id like a 21 version of the thunderbolt cinema display but such a beast does not exist. Each year at imore, we look at the newest monitors and put them through the paces. How to set up multiple monitors with your mac cnet. Some imacs can pull double duty as a monitor for other macs. On the imac that you want to use as your external monitor, press the.
We have a in macbook pro to work on and always use it plugged into an external monitor. Apr 24, 2020 learn how to connect another display to your mac and choose how your displays work together. Theyre identical to the methods you use for non apple monitors, and well look at those next. Use an imac with thunderbolt as an external display. 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. 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. 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. With target monitor mode you can connect two macs together and use one as a second display. Youll also need a macbook or macbook pro that was made in 2016 or later, a 2015 27inch imac.
Using late2015 imac as a display for macbook air 2019 or. Get a 27 imac for desktop at home, and keep using the old mba for class. Apple originally hinted at the imac being used with dvd and bluray players as an. If you use an external display with your mac notebook, you can also use closeddisplay mode. 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.
Connecting surface pro to an imac as a monitor windows. 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. 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. But can you use imac as monitor for windows pc, ps4. 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. Is it possible to use a 21 imac as an external monitor from a macbook pro via thunderbolt.
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. You can now ask samsungs bixby to play netflix movies and series. 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. Use a 27inch imac with a mini displayport as an external display. 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. Ive had the aluminum imac for a while in the home office and recently upgraded to the aluminum macbook 2. If youre in the market for an external monitor for your macbook air, youll quickly notice theres a wide selection from which to choose. Best usbc monitors for macbook, macbook air and macbook pro. Press commandf2 on the keyboard of the external display imac.
How to use an imac as a monitor for pc tech junkie. Apple has a support page about this, with system requirements and display options. 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. 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 usbc ports on your macbook air support video output. Naturally, the ideal option is to use a thunderbolt 3usbc equipped display without any adapters.
Is it possible to use a windows laptop as an external monitor for a macbook pro. 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. Hi, anyone actually connected a surface pro to an imac to enable the imac to act as a monitor. Aug 29, 2019 in particular, we see how to use an old imac as an external monitor of a macbook. 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. 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.
How to use a second screen with a mac, connect a monitor. How to use your ipad as an external mac display with sidecar. How to use an imac as an external monitor for a macbook. If you have a 27inch imac with a mini displayport, any other mac with a mini displayport or. Also, the 29 inch imac input if thunderbolt, so not even sure its possible to get a mini displayport to thunderbolt cable.
You have an old imac that has a perfectly good display. Having those two will give you a beast to work on at home. 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. Mini displayport features on most macs and is used to connect to an external display. 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. But can you use imac as monitor for windows pc, ps4, xbox and other nonapple devices. Using late2015 imac as a display for macbook air 2019 or vice versa. 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. When i plugged the dvi cable back into the macbook, the external monitor. 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.
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. Mac pro using 2007 imac as secondary display macrumors. If youre looking for a largescreen display to go with your macbook air or macbook pro. How to use windows laptop as external monitor for macbook pro.
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