Question on Using thunderbolt iMac as external display with a Macbook Air

If I connect my macbook air to new thunderbolt iMac - can I access peripherals attached to usb, firewire, ethernet like the thunderbolt 27"?
if so how can i do this?
thanks!
Derrick

Thunderbolt 10.6 Help: Using another Mac as an external display
Only video and in some scenarios audio is transmitted. Nothing else.
Stefan

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Can I use my iMac as the display with my MacBook Air?

Here is the hardware configuration of my iMac:
Hardware Overview:
Model Name: iMac
Model Identifier: iMac9,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.66 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 6 MB
Memory: 4 GB
Bus Speed: 1.07 GHz
Boot ROM Version: IM91.008D.B08
SMC Version (system): 1.36f3
Serial Number (system): QP9110FF0TH
Hardware UUID: 27452321-D9B4-5639-8CC0-8BC5543A76CC
I can't tell from the documents posted about Target Display Mode whether my iMac is properly equipped. Help!

Target Display Mode- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
iMac- How to use your iMac as a Target Display Mode display
Target Display Mode 2009 & 2010 iMacs

Using an external display with the macbook air

hi, i wanna know if i can use an external display with the macbook air as the tunderbolt is a bit pricey? i was thinking about buyin a LCD moniter wih a VGA port. many thanks

Yes. You can use VGA DVI or HDMI monitors by buying a Minidisplay port to xxx adapter and the the appropriate cable (vga, dvi or hdmi).
The MiniDisplayport adapter plugs into the Thunderbolt port.
Regards,
Captfred
Here's a sample HDMI adapter. All these available in the Apple online store.
http://store.apple.com/us/product/H1824ZM/A/Moshi_Mini_DisplayPort_to_HDMI_Adapt er?fnode=MTY1NDA3Ng

HT3131 I purchased a sony 3d monitor and I am using it for my external display with my macbook pro. We have followed the instructions but no display!!?? What do I do

I purchased a sony 3d monitor and I am using it for my external display with my macbook pro. We have followed the instructions but no display!!?? What do I do now

We need more information if members of the forum are going to assist you.
What instructions did you follow?
How are you connecting your MBP to the Sony TV?
Which model MBP do you have?

TS1367 Is there are a way to use my imac as a display for my macbook pro? I have a thunderbolt cable but it doesnt seem to do anything

Is there are a way to use my imac as a display for my macbook pro? I have a thunderbolt cable but it doesnt seem to do anything

Hello eassic,
Thanks for the question, and welcome to Apple Support Communities.
It sounds like Target Display Mode may be what you are looking for:
Target Display Mode lets you use a Mac as the external display for another “primary” Mac. In some cases, you can also play the sound from your primary Mac on the speakers of the external Mac. For example, a MacBook Pro could use a 27-inch iMac as the display and play its audio on the iMac as well.
OS X Mountain Lion: Use another Mac as a display
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH11302
Use an iMac with Thunderbolt as a display
If you have an iMac with Thunderbolt, any other Mac with Thunderbolt can use it as a display. The iMac will play both the video and audio from the other Mac.
1. Connect the Thunderbolt cable to the Thunderbolt ports on each computer.
2. Make sure both Mac computers are turned on and awake.
3. Press Command (⌘)-F2 on the keyboard of the external display Mac.
4. If you want the external display Mac to play audio as well as video from the primary Mac, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Sound, and then click Output. Select the external display Mac from the list of devices.
Thanks,
Matt M.

How do i use an external display with my macbook pro?

How do I use an external display with a macbook pro?

Just buy the proper adapter cord, such as MiniDisplay port to HDMI for example. Plug it in and it will be automatically recognized. Use System Preferences > Displays to set options.
The display can Mirror your primary desktop or Extend the Desktop.
Regards,
Captfred

Can you use any external display with a macbook?

hi all,
I was just wondering, can you use any external display with a macbook? (i.e. gateway, and dell displays?)

To original poster:
Yes.
Provided you have the appropriate ports and cables, that is. Some monitors do not have all vga, dvi-i, dvi-d, hdmi, etc. ports, and it can be misleading that all those technologies appear to be compatible via conversion cables (they aren't all meant to be compatible, so look it up on the internet before buying).
Cheers,
Sylvain
MacBook Mac OS X (10.4.9) dual boot Vista Ultimate

Can I use my Imac as a monitor for my Macbook Air?

Can I use my iMac as a monitor for my Macbook Air?

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

How do I view an external display with my macbook pro closed?

How do I view an external display with my macbook pro closed? I am using a wireless keyboard and trackpad, and I would like to use a larger (Dell) monitor with my Macbook Pro closed.

Here are the rules for Clamshell mode:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3131

Can I use my tv as a display for my macbook air?

If i I bought Apple tv and plugged it into my tv, could i then use that tv as a display for my macbook air as if my tv were a mac display?
I have a macbook air but I dont want to buy a whole new display for it which is why i want to use my tv.
I do however want to purchase AppleTv
I am currently running snow leopard, but will update in a heartbeat to lion if needed.

Connect the Macbook directly through the TV using a Mini Display Port to HDMI ('With Audio' if needed).
http://store.apple.com/uk/product/H7129ZM/A/mini-displayport-to-hdmi-adapter
You cannot connect the Macbook to Apple TV.

Using imac as external display for my MacBook

Can I use the new iMac as an external display for my MacBook?

Here's the >New iMac Spec's and there is only Mini-DVI output port and "NO" input port.

Using iMac as external display with MBP, can this be done?

I know...
This has been posted before, but I have as of yet not found a straight answer. Mostly peoples recommendation is: "Buy a display".
However, I have an older iMac, 20" and I have a newer MBP 15". The MBP has a faster graphics card, better processor and more RAM. But I still like sitting at the table using my iMac, because the comfort of working is better this way.
Now seeing that I have both, is it possible to connect the two, and use the iMac for a display? Preferably without having to buy a whole lot of expensive cables, applications or do strange hacks risking hurting myself or my computers
Thanks all
Have a nice day

but I have as of yet not found a straight answer.
I think you are getting the straight answer. You need "buy a display" because a display has a video input port. An iMac has a video output port, but NO video input port. Therefore, you cannot use it as an external display, like a regular display.
You could give the iMac a video input using a USB interface device, but the cost of such a device that would provide good quality video into the iMac would cost about the same as (or more than) a low cost LCD display. And it would probably not be ideal in terms of performance.
You could also use this clever program to use a fast network connection and VNC to display the MacBook Pro's second screen on the iMac screen.
http://www.screenrecycler.com/home.html
In your case, the program will create a virtual screen for the MacBook Pro and shares it with the iMac in much the same way as the +screen sharing+ feature. Disadvantages are relatively slow image refresh rate (because the signal is going over the network) and the need to have the iMac turned on and running separately. The speed part will not be that bad in your case, if you use a Cat-5e or better Ethernet cable to connect the two Macs, so that you will have gigabit speed. You can give it a try at no cost to see if it is an acceptable solution (in time-limited demo mode).
I use this program to give my iMac a third display. The +third display+ is an old PC laptop running Linux (Ubuntu).

Can I use my iMac as a 'display' for my MacBook Pro?

Hi all, I am really hoping someone can help me here.
I am wondering if I can use my 24" iMac as a display for my MacBook Pro (both running Snow Leopard).
It's my father's 80th birthday party in about 24 hours time. I am doing up the music and slideshow (thanks Apple - so easy!).
My plan was to simply take my iMac and use it. However, I managed to drop the wireless keyboard (darn those dogs) and now my keyboard won't work. I have no backup keyboards here (gave the wired one to Dad to use with his Mac mini). I live in a country area with no access to a Mac store and it will take more than 24 hours to get a new one. Went to my local 'other computer' general store last night: I really don't want to buy an ugly black keyboard..... I have just had a great idea:
Can I network my MacBook Pro and use it as the source for the slide show and simply use the iMac as a display? I have plenty of DVI adaptors but am just not sure how I would go about the software side of things? Or should I simply buy an ugly PC keyboard (and if I do, will the WIndows button work as an Apple button???)
Any suggestions would be really appreciated.
Thanks!

The imac 24 can't be used as a monitor over a DVI connection or the like, Suzanne, but you may be able to achieve what you want to using "Screen Sharing" by networking the two computers. This lets your MBP effectively control what is running on the iMac.
See HERE for the basic setup. For information about how to access the "shareable" screen from the MBP see HERE.
One possible problem may be actually getting this set-up on the iMac if it is not already enabled, however, unless you can borrow a keyboard from someone (your password may have to be entered to enable it). You may be able to get around this, if necessary, using the "keyboard viewer" (which you can place in the menubar using System preferences > Keyboard, if you don't already have it there).
Cheers
Rod

Using an external display with the macbook closed

I am using my big flat screen as an external display with my 2009 13" macbook. I want to be able to close the macbook. But when I do, the external display goes off. is there a way to configure my macbook so that the external monitor doesn't turn off.
Eyeore

Read through this....
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3131

Using 2011 iMac as external display for new Retina macbook / port sharing question

I'd like to see if there is a way to use the firewire port on the back my 2011 iMac 27" when it's connected to my 2014 15" Retina Macbook.
The two work fine right now - the iMac is the main display for the macbook, but I wanted to know if there is a way to utilize the extra ports - namely the firewire port on the iMac through the Macbook. I've created aggregate devices before - would this be the way to go?
Thanks!

Hello gstern1994,
Yes you can. Form the article below you should be able to do that, just make sure that you plug in those devices when you have already set up the Target Display Mode on the iMac.
Target Display Mode: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
http://support.apple.com/en-us/ht3924
Regards,
-Norm G.

Question on Using thunderbolt iMac as external display with a Macbook Air

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