Can I use my iMac 2009 as an external monitor for a MacBook Pro

I will soon be getting a new MacBook Pro with Retina display. It has an HDMI port.
My current iMac 21.5" late 2009 model seems to have a port with what looks like a little monitor symbol, next to the firewire port. And the specs say:
Graphics and video support
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics processor with 256MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory3
ATI Radeon HD 4670 graphics processor with 256MB of GDDR3 memory
Built-in iSight camera
Mini DisplayPort output port with support for DVI, VGA, and dual-link DVI (adapters sold separately).
Support for extended desktop and video mirroring modes
Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to a 30-inch display (2560 by 1600 pixels) on an external display
Does this mean that port is just for video output to an external monitor? Or is is possible to also do video in?
On the one hand it feels like a waste to use a perfectly good iMac as a monitor. But the MacBook Pro actually has better specs, and so I was wondering if it is possible anyway.
Thanks,
doug

Thanks for your reply. After reading the article though, I'm still not really sure what the answer is. For example, you mention something that can be done, with some hurdles to go through, for 27" iMacs. Mine is a 21.5" iMac, but seems to have the same port you mentioned in the article. Or maybe it isn't. Anyway, I'm still not sure if it is possible after reading that. Interesting information though.
doug

Similar Messages

  • Can I use my iMac (20" G5) as a display for the MacBook Pro 13"?

    Can I connect an iMac(20" G5) as a display for the MacBook Pro 13"? If yes, what adapters I need? Does it need modification or software for the iMac?

    You need to use ScreenRecycler or a VNC client.
    (49933)

  • I would like to use my IMAC (early 2006) as a monitor for my macbook pro. Is it possible?

    Is it possible to use as a monitor for a macbook pro an IMAC (early 2006)?

    There's no direct input, but ScreenRecycler and Air Display both allow you to use any networked computer as additional display. I haven't tried either but perhaps one of them would work for you.
    Regards.

  • How can I use my iMac (2007) as an external display to my MacBook Pro (2013) while in bootcamp?

    I have an old 2007 iMac laying around that is too slow for use as a second computer, however I could greatly benefit from a second monitor for what I'm doing on my 2013 MacBook Pro while in bootcamp's windows mode (Photoshop, Illustrator, Rhinoceros, etc.). A hardware solution would be ideal, however I am aware that this might not work for an iMac older than 2009. I would appreciate any software suggestions for allowing the use of my 2007 iMac as a second monitor for my 2013 MacBook Pro while on the windows side via bootcamp.
    Thanks,
    Andy

    Target Display Mode is supported in OS X only. Please see Target Display Mode: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Apple Support.
    Please also see http://synergy-project.org

  • Can you use your iMac 27" as an external Monitor for a PC?

    After doing a bunch of research I figured it's not possible to do on models later then 2010, BUT I came across a few motherboards (Asus Z87-DELUXE)
    that have thunderbolt capability and obviously before I go out and spend $400 I'd like to know if it's 100% possible.
    So, would it be possible to run a thunderbolt cable from a PC to an iMac to use it as a standalone monitor or would the iMac completely reject it purely based on the fact it's not a apple product?
    Or could you just use the "Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter" to get it to work?

    Even though the PC motherboard might have Thunderbolt capability you need to research further to see if the Thunderbolt port on the board supports video out and is certified to work in Target Display Mode. To date I have not seen any that meet this criteria, another PC shortcoming. Also you may benefit by reading Apple's FAQ on Target Display Mode, at least book mark it.
    Target Display Mode: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • Can I use the iMac Screen as an external screen for a PC laptop ?

    can I use the iMac Screen as an external screen for a PC laptop ?

    iMac- How to use your iMac as a Target Display Mode display
    Target Display Mode- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
    I am unaware of any PCs that support connection via Target Display Mode. I have never tried it myself, so I don't know if it would work. All you can do is try provided you have an iMac that supports TDM and the proper cable adaptors.

  • Can I use my iMac Screen as an external screen for my PC laptop

    Can I use my iMac screen as an external screen for my PC laptop ?

    Thanks for your reply. After reading the article though, I'm still not really sure what the answer is. For example, you mention something that can be done, with some hurdles to go through, for 27" iMacs. Mine is a 21.5" iMac, but seems to have the same port you mentioned in the article. Or maybe it isn't. Anyway, I'm still not sure if it is possible after reading that. Interesting information though.
    doug

  • Can i use my 21.5" imac as an external monitor for my macbook pro?

    I have a 21.5" iMac (with Intel processor) that I'm trying to use an external monitor for a new Macbook Pro.  Both machines have a thunderbolt input.  I bought a Belkin mini displayport to mini displayport connector, but my macbook is not displaying on the iMac.  I saw videos online showing this done with the 27" iMac, saying you just needed to press Command+F2, but that is not working for me.  I can't seem to find any posts confiming if I can use my 21.5" iMac this way though.

    https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4082303?start=0&tstart=0

  • Can I use my iMac (Flat Panel) as a monitor for my laptops?

    Hi. I've got a MacBook, MacBook Pro, and a iMac Flat Panel. I'd like to use the Flat Panel as monitor for the two laptops (not simultaneously, of course.) Is this possible? If so, what's the best way to set it up?

    Download and set up ScreenRecycler.
    (31352)

  • Can I use old version adobe acrobat 7.0 Professional for my macbook pro. I just bought this software and is non returnable.

    I just bought this software from RAFT teacher resources and it's non returnable. I don't know that it doesn't support macbook pro.  Is there anyway can you help me if you can. I don't want to waste it.  Thanks.  Best regards, Vivian.

    There is absolutely nothing you can do with this software if your Mac OS version is newer than 10.6; Macs less than about 5 years old cannot run older versions of Mac OS . It is no more use to you than a brick. It is an extraordinary thing to sell. Acrobat is now at version 11. Version 7 is more than 10 years old. I had a look but I don't see this on the RAFT store.

  • Can I use a itunes gift card to buy pages for my Macbook Pro?

    I have a macbook pro.  I have a itunes gift card.  I would love to put them together and make the purchase.  I have read its possible but can't seem to make it happen.  Any input would be great! thanks guys

    Yes, redeem your gift cards in iTunes & funds will be available to that Apple iD in either the iTunes Store or the Mac App Store.

  • Can the iMac be used as an external monitor for a MacBook?

    Can the iMac be used as an external monitor for a MacBook?

    What iMac is this ?
    If it is a 2009 or 2010 27" iMac than this http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3924 could apply.
    Stefan

  • How do I use my late 2011 iMac ( with thunderbolt) as external monitor for laptop/Xbox or other device with hdmi as output.

    May be this question has been asked thousand times. how do I use my mid 2011 iMac ( with thunderbolt) as external monitor for laptop/Xbox or other device with hdmi as output. if apple hasn't removed that feature and has just moved that functinoality to thunderbolt then how can I use it. currently there is no laptop available with thunderbolt output. no 3rd party converter available. whats the use of having feature on latest functionality if we cant use it. I wish they would have made one port has mini-dvi and other thunderbolt for backward compatibility untill some vendor comes up with converter.

    It Says :
    Mac (21.5-inch, Mid 2011) and iMac (27-inch, Mid 2011) and later computers support Target Display Mode via Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt cable (2 m) when the source is another Thunderbolt-equipped computer.
    Name one computer model/vendor which has thunderbolt as output for display + audio. this is so stupid to move to new technology without availbility of its compatible devices.

  • How can i use my smart TV as a second monitor for my Power mac (2010) via HDMI cable? i've made the connection but no options show in system prefs display.

    How can i use my smart TV as a second monitor for my Power mac (2010) via HDMI cable? i've made the connection but no options show in system prefs display.
    the computer:Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.9.5), 2 x 2.66 Ghz 6-Core intel Xeon
    the TV: LG Smart tv

    The Mac uses a highly-parameterized universal Driver for every display. The parameters are set at certain times when a query is sent to your display. The display MUST answer with its name and capabilities, or the screen stays dark. A TV set that is off or "not paying attention" because it is set to a different port when the query occurs will rarely answer, and so will often remain dark.
    You can use tools in the System Report to see whether your display has been detected at all. If it has, the report will look something like this, but its name will appear:
    The times when the query is sent are:
    • at Startup
    • at wake from sleep
    • when the Mac-end of the cable is inserted
    • when using the Option ( Detect Displays ) button in displays preferences

  • Can I use the new Time Capsule to backup my mid 2010 Macbook Pro? Also can I want to free up my hard disk, can I save my photos and files on the time capsule and later access through wifi?

    Can I use the new Time Capsule to backup my mid 2010 Macbook Pro? Also can I want to free up my hard disk, can I save my photos and files on the time capsule and later access through wifi?

    Can I use the new Time Capsule to backup my mid 2010 Macbook Pro?
    Yes, if you are asking about using Time Machine to backup the Mac.
    Also can I want to free up my hard disk, can I save my photos and files on the time capsule and later access through wifi?
    You are not thinking of deleting the photos and files on your Mac, are you?  If you do this, you will have no backups for those files.
    Another concern is that Time Machine backs up the changes on your Mac. At some point, Time Machine will automatically delete the photos and files from the Time Capsule.....you just don't know when this might occur.
    In other words, only delete files from your Mac that you can afford to lose.

Maybe you are looking for

  • Install Mobile Sales on Windows 7 64-bit?

    Hello, I found note 1469507 today, which enables Mobile Sales 7.0 SP4 to work on Windows 7. However, it is not mentioned which bit-versions of Windows are supported. The documentation for this version of Mobile Sales hasn't yet been updated, so Windo

  • Fix custom cost in the billing document.

    The client wants to add a fix custom cost for some of their customers in the invoice. Normally in the SAP system one delivery document and one invoice is created per purchase order number of the customer entered in sales order. Purchase order number

  • Creating Transient Attributes when query is in Expert Mode

    I wanted to share a recent challenge I encountered. I had created a transient attribute in my View Object and placed it on my .jspx page. When I would navigate to the page I would receive an error telling me, "oracle.jbo.AttributeLoadException: JBO-2

  • JOptionPane on Full Screen

    Greetings: I'm sure that this is not a new issue around this forums; yet, I've not been able to find the precise answer (including goggling it); I came here to take a little bit of your time for a hint :) My question is: how can I display a decorated

  • What is optimizer exactly?

    i hv read two kind of optimizer cost-based and rule-based what are they and how they perform? Do they help in performance tuning regards