Use older 2008 iMac as second monitor for new iMac

Hi all,
I have one of these older machines that has no real purpose
http://support.apple.com/kb/sp485
but would serve me very well as a second monitor for my brand spanking new iMac.
The specs seem to note that there is a video output - but I'm not seeing anything about video IN.
Is it possible to use this older iMac as a monitor?

that looks cool, and there is a free trial.
I am not keen on using the WiFi to do this - my old iMac has firewire but the new one doesn't.
Besides using the ludicrously expensive Thunderbolt <-> Firewire 800 convertor
http://store.apple.com/uk/product/MD464ZM/A/thunderbolt-to-firewire-adapter
is there any other way to create a wired connection between these devices? I'm not sure if there is such a thing as a USB <-> USB network connection.

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Cable to connect old iMac as second screen for new iMac

Just bought the new iMac 27" with thunderbolt port. I understand I can hook up my old iMac (24" Mid 2007) and use it as second monitor. My challenge is confirming that, and then figuring out which cable to use.
The manual says the old iMac has a "Mini-DVI video out port", making it sound like it won't accept input. True?
If it will indeed accept input, what cable do I use to connect the two Macs?
If indeed I can't use the second iMac, I'll purchase a separate monitor. What should I look for in monitors that will easily attach to the thunderbolt-only new iMac? I won't be buying the Apple monitor.
Thanks for any help in advance.
Bob

Most new monitors will support standard DVI and VGA connections. Some may support Mini-DVI ports. That's about all I can tell you.
As for other factors I would look at monitor reviews - as many as you can - for the size and resolutions in which you are interested. There are a lot of products out there. You might try first doing a Google search to learn more about the meanings of the various specs the manufacturers provide so you might wade through the smoke and mirrors in search of meaningful information.

Can i use my imac as second monitor for my pc / notebook

Can i use my imac as second monitor for my pc / notebook

Without any knowledge of the year machines you have it's impossible to answer that question. iMacs adn MBA's have been around for many years now so we have no idea of the exact specs your machine have. Remember when posting you need to be complete and paint a picture for us as we aren't there to look for ourselves. Your question should be posted something like:
" I have a 2011 27" iMac and a 2009 MacBook Air, can I use the iMac as an external display for my MacBook Air?"
BTW what you are referring to is called Target Display Mode. Apple does support that on some 2009-2011 iMacs. You can find additional information at:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3924
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3775

Use 2008 iMac as second monitor for pc laptop

I have a 2008 iMac and wish to use it as a second monitor for my wife's laptop. I originally bought a mini display port to vga adaptor cable and realized that it would not work. I have to go back and buy the mini DVI to vga adapter cable to use it. But in scouring the google links - I saw that it might not work. It had said for 2011 and above it might, but did not mention earlier models. I could use some direction. If it not possible, I would rather not go and buy a new cable and try. Any help is appreciated. Thanks .

You need to set up Virtual Network Computing.
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How to use an iMac as a second monitor for an iMac

I have two 21.5 inch iMac's (late 2009) and I want to use one as a second monitor for the other. I have a Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort connector but when I connect it to both computers, nothing happens. I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong once they're plugged in or if I have the wrong cable all together. Any tips or advice would be much appreciated. Thanks

Not going to work, the ONLY 2009 / 2010 iMacs that supported Target Display Mode were the 27" models, 21.5" models simply will not work. Please read Apple FAQ on TDM and you will see I am correct.
Target Display Mode: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
While Neil is correct, Screen Recycler's performance is not that good so the user experience probably will not be worth it.

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Is it possible to use a 27 in Imac as a second monitor for a 15 in G4 powerbook

Is it possible to use a 27 in Imac as a second monitor for a 15 in G4 powerbook
Use ScreenRecycler. The feature on the current 27-inch iMac which provides video in with the Mini DisplayPort requires that the device sending the video also has a DisplayPort or Mini DisplayPort; if any other sort of adapter is required, it won't work.
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MacBook Pro as second monitor for 27" iMac

Hello,
Yesterday I purchased a 13" MacBook Pro and a Thunderbolt cable. I figured out how to use my 27" iMac as an extended display for the MacBook Pro by clicking cmnd F2 on the iMac's keyboard but how do you use MacBook Pro as an extended display for the iMac? Clicking cmnd F2 on the laptop doesn't work.
I've come up empty with my searches.
Thanks in advance!

Thanks so much for all the suggestions! Really, it's opened up my way of looking at it and I can see how these suggestions could come in handy. What I've done for the immediate is install Air Display. It's not ideal as the image fragments somewhat when areas of an image are selected using PS on the external display (MacBook Pro). I'm an animation BG artist so detail is important but once it goes into the main iMac display it seems fine.
I mostly wanted the second monitor as a reference point for what I'm 'painting' on the iMac and to have the ability to select colour, ect. Since I HAD to buy a MBP recently I figured I might as well get the the most from it!
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Using an imac G3 as second monitor for intel imac

I just purchased a 20 inch intel imac and was curious if I could use my old imac G3 as the second monitor.
I already have the DVI to VGA adapter to use in the mini DVI port on the intel imac. Is there an adapter that I can use to plug this cable into the VGA out on the back of my old G3 imac?
intel duo imac Mac OS X (10.4.6)

The VGA port on your old iMac is output, not input,
so what you are suggesting wouldn't work.
To do it, you'd have to take apart the G3 and hack a
connection from the gfx card to the display to
work... probably more trouble than it's worth, given
the quality & res of the old g3 displays.
Thanks for the quick response. Looks like I will have to pick up a second monitor.

Using old G5 as large screen monitor for new MacBook

Would I be able to use an old G5 as a large screen monitor for a MacBook or Mac Mini, using a VNC protocol such as ScreenRecycler (or another). If so, to what degree would the G5 OS have to be functional, i.e., if the video card and speakers are OK, but the OS is corrupted, could the G5 be used just as a monitor powered by the other device? I suspect the answer might be that it depends on what's corrupted; if so, how do I determine the G5's capability as only a monitor? Thanks!

In the traditional sense, the iMac G5 cannot be used as a "monitor" because it does not have video input.
I use ScreenRecycler. Here's how it works. Normally, if you use the built-in screen sharing feature of Mac OS X or run third-party VNC server software, you can view that Mac's screen in a window on another Mac (or any computer) using a VNC client program. That's regular screen sharing.
ScreenRecycler acts as the VNC server software, except it creates a virtual second screen and serves it to any VNC client program. You can change the resolution and arrangement of that virtual second screen using System Preferences Displays pane, as you would with any real second display. It is actually very clever.
In your case, the iMac G5 would be running the VNC client program (such as the developer's own JollysFastVNC) and displaying a window that shows that virtual second screen. When you make the program display it in full screen mode, the iMac G5 simulates a second display.
So to answer your question, the iMac G5 would need to be fully functional in terms of the OS, because it has to be running normally in order to run the VNC client program. It is not running in some special different display mode; it is operating like a normal Mac and just pretending to be the second display for another Mac. And it should work well using an iMac G5 because a wired network connection (be sure to use a Cat-5e or better cable) will be at gigabit speeds. You can try the program in limited-time demo mode for free.

Second Monitor with new iMac

I'm confused. I'm getting various answers in 'searching' what I need to know.
I just bought a new iMac... very happy. BUT... how does a second monitor connnect to a 'thunderbolt' only iMac.
I read, "Thunderbolt accepts DVI"... then I read no, "You need the adapter".
I also read... a DVI is on the new iMacs... but I can't see one. I've looked at the jpg's. I've read that a DVI and Thunderbolt connection is one and the same... as far as the physical characteristics of the input - insinuating that a DVI, mini, will work with Thunderbolt... true?
Also...
Firewire to USB. Confused here as well. "Apple sells one"... that's one response. Also: "They're available, don't always work". My camcorder only has Fireware.
Hoping to hear some 'definitive' answers, if any exist. - JamesJM

Your kind of Stuck. You will need a TB to DVI adapter and a TB to FW adapter. Apple sells both of those and I think the newest iMac's have 2 TB ports. So you will be using both for your 2 devices.

Late 2009 imac as second display for new (late 2012) imac. How to?

I have a late 2009 imac 27 that I would like to use as a second display for my late 2012 imac 27. Has anybody connected them successfully? I am getting very mixed information on the topic.

Thank you. Here's where my confusion comes in
"iMac (Mid 2011) and later: target Display Mode does not work with Mini DisplayPort cable"
Symptoms
When you attempt to connect an iMac (21.5-inch or 27-inch, Mid 2011) and later to another computer with a Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort cable, the screen of the target iMac will not become an external display when you press Command-F2 to activate Target Display Mode.
Resolution
iMac (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.
iMac (27-inch, Mid 2011) computers do not support Target Display Mode via Mini DisplayPort cables.

Using 12 inch Powerbook as second screen for new 17 inch MBP.

My new 17' MBP should be here in the new day or two. I want to use my 3 year old 12 inch powerbook as a second screen, mainly to keep my email client open on that screen.
What is the best way to do this? I am sure it's not hard but I have never used a second screen.
for you super users out there....is there a way to run the programs on my bookbook from the keyboard on the MBP without remote desktop? I have some programs on that machine I need to use that can't be run on the new Intel machines (PAUP if you know it). They will be sitting right next to each other so I can just use the other keyboard but I like to save time at everything.
17 Inch Macbook Pro Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Just try ScreenRecycler from http://www.screenrecycler.com/
You can even use a Windows PC or a Linux box as second display.
Patrick
yes, I'm the author

Use old imac as extra screen for new imac

Hello there,
the HD of my old iMac crashed and is broke. Can I use my old iMac as an extra screen nexto my new imac?
greetings,
Steven

They are video output devices, not input devices.

Can I use an Apple Cinema Display as a second monitor for my iMac?

I have a new 24" intel iMac and was wondering if I could use my old 20" Apple Cinema Display (aluminum) as a dual display. What cables do I need?

Just had a good look inside my box and nothing. Maybe it's a Apple UK thing
The back of my iMac does have a Mini DVI port so I'm gonna pop down the Apple store tomorrow morning to pick one up.
Thanks for the advice, I'll let you know if I'm successful.
Message was edited by: genpro

Using 2009 iMac as second display for 2012 iMac

I am using my 2009 iMac as a second display using a mini display plugged into the 2012 iMac Thunderbolt port. When I plug it in, it works fine, but if I need to restart my 2012 iMac, it won't recognize the second display on reboot.
How do I make my 2012 iMac automatically recognize the second display? The only way I seem to make it work is by unplugging the cable, and then plugging it back in. When I do, it immediately recognizes the second display.

Thank you. Here's where my confusion comes in
"iMac (Mid 2011) and later: target Display Mode does not work with Mini DisplayPort cable"
Symptoms
When you attempt to connect an iMac (21.5-inch or 27-inch, Mid 2011) and later to another computer with a Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort cable, the screen of the target iMac will not become an external display when you press Command-F2 to activate Target Display Mode.
Resolution
iMac (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.
iMac (27-inch, Mid 2011) computers do not support Target Display Mode via Mini DisplayPort cables.

Use older 2008 iMac as second monitor for new iMac

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