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. 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. Similar to target disk mode, where one macs internal hard drives can be. If youre looking for a largescreen display to go with your macbook air or macbook pro. How to set up multiple monitors with your mac cnet. If you use an external display with your mac notebook, you can also use closeddisplay mode. On top of that, you can use target display mode to connect a macbook with a late 2009 or mid2010 imac. But can you use imac as monitor for windows pc, ps4, xbox and other nonapple devices. You can now ask samsungs bixby to play netflix movies and series. Also, the 29 inch imac input if thunderbolt, so not even sure its possible to get a mini displayport to thunderbolt cable.
How to use your ipad as an external mac display with sidecar. On the imac that you want to use as your external monitor, press the. I have aperture running on my mbp and could use the extra screen on the imac. 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. 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. 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.
Using late2015 imac as a display for macbook air 2019 or. 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. The best alternative i can suggest is to use your television as an external display for your macbook air. 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.
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. Naturally, the ideal option is to use a thunderbolt 3usbc equipped display without any adapters. 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. When i plugged the dvi cable back into the macbook, the external monitor. Theyre identical to the methods you use for non apple monitors, and well look at those next. We have a in macbook pro to work on and always use it plugged into an external monitor. 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. Though the 12inch macbook could rise again as a design based on an apple arm processor. Get a 27 imac for desktop at home, and keep using the old mba for class. My concern for 1 is, would an average external monitor look sad and intolerable compared to the retina screen of macbook pro. 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. 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. 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. The usbc ports on your macbook air support video output.
If youre in the market for an external monitor for your macbook air, youll quickly notice theres a wide selection from which to choose. Mirror your display or use your tv as a separate display. Step 1 download and install fonepaw screenmo on your windows pc. Since mac mini is shipped without a display, luna display finds a suitable usage for mac mini users.
Any suggestions for unofficial cordsadapters to use aside from apple s dongle and thunderbolt 2 cord mixture extremely expensive method. Target display mode not working on imacmacbook, how to solve. Thats why the lg ultrafine 4k is the perfect fit for most people. 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. 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. Having those two will give you a beast to work on at home. Use your imac as a display with target display mode. Use an external display with your macbook air apple support. With target monitor mode you can connect two macs together and use one as a second display. Well i was in for a notsopleasant surprise, when i realized that this wasnt supported in apples most recent imac retina 5k.
Some imacs can pull double duty as a monitor for other macs. Theres tips for the best way to use your external monitor with your macbook. Target display mode iswas a macos and osx system function that allowed an imac to become a display for another mac. 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. Is it possible to use a 21 imac as an external monitor. According to your post, you succeeded to use a 2009 imac as an external monitor.
A little digging, revealed apple s reasoning behind this. Trying to use my old 20 27 slow af imac as and external display for my new 2020 macbook air. How to turn your imac into a secondary display the mac. A thunderbolt cable or a mini displayport to mini displayport cable. Hi, anyone actually connected a surface pro to an imac to enable the imac to act as a monitor. 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. There are several options but none as good as target d. Here are the full details on external monitor support for the 2020 macbook air. Connecting surface pro to an imac as a monitor windows. But is it possible to use your mac as a pc monitor. Use a 27inch imac with a mini displayport as an external display connect the mini displayport cable to the ports on each mac. If target display mode isnt working to connect your imac as an external display, there are a few things. Youll also need a macbook or macbook pro that was made in 2016 or later, a 2015 27inch imac. Im tired of working on an 11 screen, was thinking of upgrading either to an imac 27 or going with.
Ive spoken with multiple apple reps and im not getting a clear answer. Connect my 2015 macbook pro to my 2019 imac as an external. Can i use my macbooks monitor as an external display to a pc. 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. How to use an imac as an external monitor for a macbook. You could probably use a tool like splashtop to extend your pcs desktop over onto the mac. Or, if you purchase an apple tv 4, you can stream your content wirelessly to your tv using a feature called airplay.
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. What external displays are supported w the macbook air. Can i use a 2019 imac as a monitor for a macbook pro. If you want the imac to play audio as well as video from the. 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. Can i use my macbooks monitor as an external display to a. Learn about connecting dual monitors to a macbook air or 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. This means you can even use the new macbook air with apples pro display xdr. Step 2 connect both your windows pc and macbook to the same wifi. Connect a macbook to an imacs display with target display. 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. Ive purchased a minidisplay port to minidisplay port cable, but that doesnt seem to work for me. Is it possible to use a 21 imac as an external monitor from a macbook pro via thunderbolt.
It is not possible to use a 2017 imac as a monitor for a macbook pro. Using a macbook air as a second monitor apple community. Use an imac with thunderbolt as an external display. Say i had an imac assume newest models with 2 external displays usbcthunderbolt 3. In particular, we see how to use an old imac as an external monitor of a macbook. On the other hand, the apple ecosystem now lets you easily use. But can you use imac as monitor for windows pc, ps4. If target display mode isnt working to connect your imac as an external display, there are a few things you can try that might.
Use your imac as a display with target display mode system requirements. Simple ways to connect a macbook to an imac with pictures. Apple has a support page about this, with system requirements and display options. Mini displayport features on most macs and is used to connect to an external display. Press commandf2 on the keyboard of the external display imac. Is it possible to use a windows laptop as an external monitor for a macbook pro. Apr 24, 2020 learn how to connect another display to your mac and choose how your displays work together. My mom is looking to buy a macbook air, currently has a late 2012 21. A mac notebook or desktop with a mini displayport or thunderbolt port. How to add a second screen to your mac or macbook macworld.
Dec 31, 2009 force macbook to boot with external monitor mini spy. Wouldnt it be great if you could use it as a second monitor with your new 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. How to connect an external display to your macbook, macbook. 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. You can use an external display, a projector, or an hdtv with your macbook air. Use an imac as a monitor or extended display for your macbook pro. Some apple notebooks dont have enough juice to push the extra pixels of an external display. Now that target display mode is no more, are there. Read on for tips, and a bit about apples new thunderbolt display.
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. 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. How to use an imac as a monitor for pc tech junkie. Best usbc monitors for macbook, macbook air and macbook pro. Ive had the aluminum imac for a while in the home office and recently upgraded to the aluminum macbook 2. Based on this, we consider the lg 27uk850w the best monitor you can currently buy for the apple. Nov 15, 2018 with a large and vibrant screen, imac can work as a great external monitor for pc and macbook.
Mac pro using 2007 imac as secondary display macrumors. Force macbook to boot with external monitor apple macos. 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. Apple originally hinted at the imac being used with dvd and bluray players as an. Each year at imore, we look at the newest monitors and put them through the paces. Sep 04, 2016 you could probably use a tool like splashtop to extend your pcs desktop over onto the mac. Use a 27inch imac with a mini displayport as an external display. How to use an old imac as an secondary monitor for macbook. Our favorite model, the lg 27uk850w, is a terrific choice for anyone looking for a great performance monitor at a fair price. Connect the thunderbolt cable to the thunderbolt ports on each mac.
You can make all of your displays mirror each other, or extend your workspace with different apps and windows on each display. With a large and vibrant screen, imac can work as a great external monitor for pc and macbook. 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. If you have a 27inch imac with a mini displayport, any other mac with a mini displayport or.
Ideally id like a 21 version of the thunderbolt cinema display but such a beast does not exist. You have an old imac that has a perfectly good display. You can, but you may be underwhelmed by the results. You could use this as your only computer all day every day without an. Use a usbc digital av multiport adapter to connect the hdmi display or. 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. 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.
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. 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. Luna display use ipad as display for mac mini, macbook. You could also plug your macbook air into an external monitor but note that it has only two usb type c. Apr 11, 2020 picking the right second screen for your macbook, macbook air, or macbook pro is a difficult one. Use a usbc vga multiport adapter to connect the display to a thunderbolt 3 usbc port on your macbook air. 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. Hi, i currently have a windows 10 gaming pc with 1 monitor which uses a display port. Using imac as an external monitor to my 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. If an airplay passcode appears on your tv screen, enter the passcode on your mac. If i bring my assume latest macbook pro into the office and would like to use it rather than.
Connect your macbook pro or macbook air to an external display or tv using rocketfish hdmi to thunderbolt minidisplay port adapter can we. How to use a second screen with a mac, connect a monitor. 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. If you want the imac to play audio as well as video from.
The new 2020 macbook air is out with the upgraded magic keyboard, new processor options, double the storage, and expanded external display support. 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. I do a lot of photography and have big programs running like photoshop, lightroom, etc. Some newer imac models cannot be used as external monitor for another mac. Using an adapter you will be able to use it to connect your mac to a dvi or vga display.
Once you do that, your machine will identify and use the second monitor. In fact, neither computer even recognizes the other as an external monitor. Id consider buying one if i could use it as a monitor for my macbook pro. 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. Aug 29, 2019 in particular, we see how to use an old imac as an external monitor of a macbook.
Connect macbook air to external display with hdmi cable. 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. Use an imac as an external monitor or extended display for your macbook pro. It still works on preretina imacs with thunderbolt. Even if youre a huge macbook fan, from time to time you may still miss. 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. Make sure both mac computers are turned on and awake. Its usually a lot easier to hook up an external monitor to a pc rather. Learn how to use target display mode to make your imac into a second monitor for your macbook, in a stepbystep process. Using late2015 imac as a display for macbook air 2019 or vice versa. 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.
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