IMac 21.5" w/ second display or iMac 27"

I've been looking at the different options there are for a new desktop computer. I have narrowed it down to two iMacs (BTW, I'm a student, so I get Apple's education pricing):
First Option:
21.5-inch iMac
2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7
4GB 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x2GB (+8 GB from OWC) = 12GB DDR3 RAM
1TB Serial ATA Drive
AMD Radeon HD 6770M 512MB GDDR5
Apple Magic Mouse
Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad (English) & User's Guide
Second Display: Dell S2230MX 21.5-inch Ultra-Thin monitor with LED (159.99$)
Price (including second display and memory upgrade): 1,785.87$
Second Option:
27-inch iMac
3.4GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7
4GB 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x2GB (+8 GB from OWC) = 12GB DDR3 RAM
1TB Serial ATA Drive
AMD Radeon HD 6970M 1GB GDDR5
Apple Magic Mouse
Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad (English) & User's Guide
Price (including memory upgrade): 2,125.88$
I'll be using it for usual things, like YouTube, Facebook, Hotmail, word processing, spreadsheet programs, school assignments, projects, video editing (just a bit), other multimedia stuff, lots of multitasking, and so on. I'll also be programming on it next year, as I'll be taking a Computer Engineering (or Computer Science class, I haven't decided yet). The main thing I'm hesitating on is that the 21.5 inch doesn't have the AMD Radeon HD 6970M 1GB GDDR5; do you think I should get it? Also, I don't know if the 3.4GHz processor worth the price, is it? And finally, is a single 27-inch screen better than two 21.5-inch screens? (My desk is big enough for both setups, so it's not something to worry about) I visited my local Apple Store, but I am still torn between these two, I really like both, but I can afford getting two iMacs!

Yes via a Thunderbolt port and dual-link DVI adapter.
<http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB571Z/A/mini-displayport-to-dual-link-dvi-ada pter>

Similar Messages

How to use my broken Imac as a second display for my new IMAc

Hi everyone !
I have a old Imac Imac 24" Intel Core 2 Duo 2.16GHz 2G
One day I was watching a video from youtube and It frozen. After that When I start the computer I get the Apple sound and a grey screen.
I send it to Apple assistence They said it could either be the the main board or the video board.
As they don't have this parts anymore couse it's a old Imac version, they can do nothing to help or make sure.
So I have this machine side by side with my new Imac 21.5 inch 2.5ghz Intel core i5
So is there a way to make it as a second display? Or do anything with it?
Obs: I used a ethernet cable to erase my Imac 24 and now I getting the grey screen with a file Icon with (?) inside
Please don't tell me to trow it way.....
Hope to get some help.
Fabrício Giugni

Hi,
I am getting the this:
Hardware test does not support this machine.
When I bought This computer it came with OSx 10.4.7
Few weeks later Came out OSx Leopart 10.5 And the store gave me a update disk as a gift.
When Osx snow Leopard came out I bought it.
So my machine is ruining with Snow Leopard 10.6.8
When I try to run Hardware test from Snow leopard, nothing happens, also nothing happens to update disk. It only load hardware test from the first Cd that came with the computer. OSx 10.4.7
So After it load, it asked to choose the language and O got the this:
Hardware test does not support this machine.

How to adjust the brightness of a second display connected to iMAC 2012 by Apple Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter?

How to adjust the brightness of a second display (Dell 3007WFPHC 2560x1600 dpi) connected to 27 inch iMAC 2012 through thunderbolt port by an Apple Mini Display Port to Dual-Link DVI Adapter?

Macs control computer by USB. With a non-Apple display, you will have to use the brightness control on the display.

IMac with Snow Leopard doesn t work without second display connected

Hi,
I've a iMac 24" and I would like to resell it urgently.
But I've a big problem, if I disconnect my second display (belinea 20"), the iMac screen become grey or blue after many second.
If I boot system, after the grey clock : nothing, grey or black screen.
The Os is snow leopard disc, update version (10.6)
The iMac version is iMa8,1
The EFI bios is : IM81.00c1.b00
I tried :
Reinstall with format
Utility disc on boot cd (scan disk & rights repair)
Even when I try to boot cd without second screen, I ve white screen
(after a update to 10.6.4)
Help me please

Hi Tony,
I don't how these instructions are the same, here is what the article says:
_Resetting PRAM and NVRAM_
• Shut down the computer.
• Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step 4.
• Turn on the computer.
• Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys. You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.
• Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
• Release the keys.
Your original post said *"Restart the mac and depress the alt, command, P and R keys simultaneously. You should hear the boot chime. Keep the keys depressed until you hear the boot chime a further three times. On the final boot chime release the keys and let the mac boot normally."* How I understand your post that totals 4 chimes vs. the 2 Apple specifies. Am I missing something?
Message was edited by: rkaufmann87

24" imac with second display that flickers on and off randomly

Hi, I'm a n00b here, I've read a handful of threads before posting this a I cant seem to find a definitive answer.
I have a 24" 2.4Ghz aluminium iMac and I've recently purchased a HP zr24w 24" IPS panel as a second display, connected with an apple miniDVI - DVI connector.
The screen flickers off, to totaly black every time the mac seems to be having a hard time doing something, be it fast scrolling, flash video, but someimes randomly.
I have boot camp installed with winblows vista (for work) the screen does EXACTLY the same thing, all be it less frequently. This for me rules out the Mac OS, i think it must be something video card/driver related.
Was there ever a fix for this? most of the threads seem to just die with no official answer, it would appear that MBP users were ok until the last 10.6.3 update, when the problem seems to have returned, although i think thats a different issue with the same net effect.
I have spoken to apple care and the very helpful girl I spoke to send me some logging software which I've run and sent the logs back, that may help them out someway.
Any help would be GREAT !!
many thanks
Michael

well, some time has passed, here's where I'm at so far.
I tried a friend's samsung 24" screen and all was good with the world, no flickering on and off, no black outs nothing, for days it was all fine. I swapped the HP monitor back on and it went right back to its old ways. I called HP tech support, they decided that the monitor was faulty, i returned it to where I got it from and they have sent me a new one. Which was fine, for about 7 hours!!
So, to recap, the mini-DVI to DVI adapter is fine as it worked on the samsung screen, the HP screen is brand new and exhibiting the exact same issue as the first one (cant be 2 faulty ones surely) The samsung screen was fine.
This leads me to think that there is some compatibility issue between the 24" imac and this particular (hp zr24w) monitor.
I have followed apple support's requests for data logging but they cant find anything wrong there.
I'm out of ideas, any help would be GREATLY appreciated !!!
thanks
Michael

How do i set up a second display for my iMac desktop? I want to use both displays at the same time.

how do i set up a second display for my iMac desktop? I want to use both displays at the same time. My iMac is the 24" Late 2006 model. I recall that there is a cord for plugging in a second monitor, but I want to make sure that i can use both monitors side-by-side at the same time. thank you.

If the Display supports DVI, then you will need a > Mini-DVI to DVI Adapter and a DVI cable.
If the Display only supports VGA, then you wiil need a > Mini DVI to VGA Adapter and a VGA cable.
Noting that the (digital) DVI is far better than the (analog) VGA connection.
Also see > Using Dual Displays on Mac OS X: The Experience

How to use the second display for installation OS in my vertical lines iMac

My 17" iMac display is full of vertical lines, it is unuseable. Does anyone know how to use the second display for Mac OS X or disable the first display for installation Mac OS x ?

Go to: *System Preferences > Displays* and select the Arrangement tab, then relocate your Menu bar by dragging it to the other display.
Unfortunately there is no Hardware or Software switch to turn off the iMac's Internal Display.

Can I use my old 2006 iMac as a second display for my new iMac?

Can I use my rusty old 2006 iMac as a second display for my new 2012 iMac? How do I keep one computer from trying to take over the other one? thank you.

Try ScreenRecycler, the 2006 does not support display input.

Am I able to add a second display (LED TV) to my iMac via my network?

I have a 21.5 inch Late 2009 iMac (too old for Mirroring to Apple TV). I would like to be able to use my LED TV as a second display, so that effectively I can view non-iTunes media in my lounge room. I currently have the iMac connected to an Airport Extreme via Ethernet cable. I have an Airport Express also connected to the Extreme via Ethernet cable in Bridge Mode in the lounge room. I am wondering if it is possible to connect the TV via Ethernet cable to the Express (the TV has a network connection input), and then be able to use the TV as a second display for the iMac. I know I can do this if I connect the TV directly to the iMac via Ethernet, just am unable to determine if I can do it via the two Airport devices - I guess I am wanting to make the TV a "Network Display". I do also have an Apple TV connected via HDMI cable to that TV. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

The easiest way would be to set up a seperate user account. That user would have their own iTunes with their own Library.

Is it possible to use a iMac G4 flat panel as a second display

Hi all,
I am not sure whether it's the right place to post this question but here it goes.
We have a 15 inches iMac G4 that's getting slow and are considering upgrading to one of the newer iMac. However, would it be possible to keep using the display and the hard drive of the old computer as a second display and an external drive, respectively for the new Mac?
Any tips or advices welcome
Many thanks in advance.
Best,
Olivier
Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Short answer: not easily.
If the machine is "getting slow" as in, you have the same software that you've had for awhile but things actually seem to be slowing down, I'd first looks at doing some diagnostics before replacing the machine. Maybe even try backing up all your personal stuff and do a fresh format/clean install of the OS.
If you just mean "I notice this machine I've had awhile now seems slow compared to my friends' shiny new Core 2 Duo iMac" then that's a whole other matter .
No reason you couldn't pull out the old hard drive and use it in an external case...or for that matter leave the old machine booted in Firewire Target Disk Mode to access its drive. Maybe the best solution is to network the two machines through a router or Ethernet switch (ridiculously easy), keeping the old (intact) system as a backup. That last is probably what I'd do assuming that space allows.

Can I add a second display to my iMac?

I would like to add a second display screen to my Mac. I have a spare VGA monitor.
(It is very usefl to be able to read on one screen and work on the other)
Is it possible and how?

Many thanks
Shows just about how much I know abnout technollogy.
The moitor also has a HDMI input. However I don't know which output on the back of the iMac to plug it into I alsl presume i will need an adaptor like the VGA one?

I'm trying to set up a dual monitor for my new iMac. I'm using a second display I used with my old G5. My iMac recognizes the second monitor but the monitor won't turn on. Power button doesn't do anything on the monitor itself.

I'm trying to set up a dual monitor for my new iMac. I'm using a second display I used with my old G5. My iMac recognizes the second monitor but the monitor won't turn on. Power button doesn't do anything on the monitor itself.

If it won't turn on then the monitor is dead (power supply?, video circuits?). Not worth repairing.
If you have a new iMac then it has thunderbolt. So exactly what is that monitor you are trying to connect? For TB you can connect a mini-displayport monitor. Probably (not 100% sure with TB) can use dvi or vga too if you have the appropriate adapter.

IMac and second display help.

I am currently thinking about getting a second display for my iMac.
Because my iMac is only 17" i need a bigger screen.
I have 3 questions-
1. Can i use my imac as the second display and have my new display as the main screen displaying the menubar and dock?
2. Are there any monitors other than the apple displays that look really good with the imacs?
3. With an intel graphics card is there a maximum screen size it can cope with?
Cheers

Can i use my imac as the second display and have my new display as the main screen displaying the menubar and dock?
Yes.
With an intel graphics card is there a maximum screen size it can cope with?
Click here for information.
(30837)

Adding a non apple 1080p monitor as second display to 2011 iMac 27"

Looking to add a second display to my new iMac but cant afford another thunderbolt screen. What is the best port and then cable to use to connect a non Apple 1080p slave monitor? I assume DVI or HDMI on the slave monitor side but what port on the iMac side? only choices are USB, Firewire, & Thunderbolt. Advice much appreciated!

Thunderbolt is based on DisplayPort technology and a Mini DisplayPort adapter plugs right into the Thunderbolt port. So depending on your monitors connection, you most likely will need a Mini-DVI to HDMI or Mini-DVI to DVI adapter.
Moshi Mini DP to HDMI Adapter with Audio Support - Apple Store (U.S.)
Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter - Apple Store (U.S.)
Also see > Apple - Thunderbolt: Next-generation high-speed I/O technology.

IMac 11.3 as second display in Maverick, just shows a black screen

I'm trying to reuse my iMac 11.3 mid 2010 (ATI HD 5750) as second display for my MacPro 1.1 (ATI HD5770 + 24" Cinema) through a mini display cable. This used to work fine in 10.8. Now both computers are upgraded to 10.9 and iMac only shows a black screen when pressing Cmd+F2 on the iMac.
Any hints appreciated besides this is only supported for +2011 models

Yes I agree it is something wrong with Safari, but WHAT?
I have two macs sitting beside each other, both running Safari pointed at a .pdf file; one runs adobe just fine, the other shows black.
No amount of pawing through the Preferences tree shows me anything remotely relevant.

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.

IMac 21.5" w/ second display or iMac 27"

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for