Use iMac as monitor for a PC laptop

Can i use my iMac (2009) as a monitor for a Windows 7 Laptop?

If you cannot hard wire the iMac to your PC as a monitor, you can try using Windows Remote Desktop (RDP) to connect to it if it's on the same network.
Works almost the same, except you are managing your laptop from your iMac.
You can download RDP here: http://www.microsoft.com/mac/remote-desktop-client

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27" iMac as monitor for Lenovo T400 laptop (VGA out)

I thought I read that it would be possible to use the iMac as an external display. I bought a cheap cable that is Mini-DisplayPort (M) to VGA (F), and I also bought a VGA cable (M-M). I plugged the cables into each other, then into the iMac, then into the Lenovo T400 laptop I have to use for work.
The iMac didn't react at first, then, when I pressed cmd-F2, the display on the iMac changed resolutions to something like 640x480, but was still displaying the Mac. I looked at the Display control panel on the Lenovo and it could see that a monitor was plugged in, and could see what size/resolution it was. However, even when I clicked "extend desktop onto this display", it still didn't display anything from the PC onto the iMac screen.
All went back to normal when I unplugged the cables.
Thoughts?
Sure, it could be the cable(s), but I was intrigued that the Windows Display Control Panel could see that there was a monitor there.

Brent D. wrote:
I read that. It says, among other things "using a Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort cable or using a converter that converts other electrical, video, and audio protocols from another source device to Mini DisplayPort compliant signals. (Cables and converters available separately.)"
A 'simple' VGA to Mini DisplayPort adapter is not sufficient to provide "+Mini DisplayPort compliant signals+" as mentioned in that article.
For that you would need an Analog-To-Digital converter and those are ranging in about USD 200 or more.
Are you saying that the Mini DisplayPort adaptors that go from Mini DisplayPort to VGA, which I bought, only go from Mac to VGA monitor, rather than in both directions?
Yes, that's exactly the point (see above).
Sorry
Stefan

Use iMac as monitor for MacBook Pro

I have a 15" MacBook Pro and a 21" iMac, both early 2008. I'd like to use the iMac as a second monitor for the MacBook. Is this possible?

I believe what you're looking for is Target Display Mode, but I don't know that a 2008 iMac supports this feature.
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3924

Use iMac as monitor for PC?

Is it possible to use my iMac as a monitor for a PC?
Also, if I had a Razer BlackWidow Ultimate 2014 MAC Elite Mechanical Gaming Keyboard...and I was able to use my iMac as a PC monitor...would the keyboard work when I am operating my the PC?
Thanks!

Unfortunately its not possible to use your iMac in that way and if it was then you would not be able to plug your keyboard in your Mac and use it with your PC. Sorry

Using IMAC (Intel) monitor for external machine

I recently bought an Intel 24" IMAC , which is mahvelous, EXCEPT, (shockingly enough!) it won't run all my beloved system 9 aps. Even worse, it apparently won't run any PhotoShop, except for the latest & greate$t version. Is there any way that I can park my trusty blue/white G4 next to it & use the G4, running system 9, to drive the IMAC's lovely monitor? I realize that this is kind of doing things backwards, but, hey, I didn't start this.

If you are using PS 5.5, why not just buy a copy of Photoshop Elements 4. You can get a copy for $50-75 if you look around.
It has almost all of the features (and a few more, actually) of PS 5.5, EXCEPT you cannot do CMYK work. If you aren't doing prepress work, then Elements is a steal.
If you REALLY want to save the pennies, buy an older copy on ebay then you can buy an upgrade online for 20-30 bucks. That's a lot of trouble though, for not much savings.
For that matter, you might shop around for an OS X version of PS online. Many people are upgrading to CS2 and CS3, so there might be some deals to be had on ebay.

How do I use iMac as monitor for external DVD player (HDMI to Mini DisplayPort)

iMac 27" (late 2009). Internal DVD is region locked. I would like to use an external DVD player to watch DVD's from other regions.
I can't use the new Apple SuperDrive because they say it's not compatible with iMac's before 2012. (Is it??)
My iMac doesn't have Thunderbolt. It has mini displayport.
I have resigned to getting a generic DVD player and plugging it into the screen.
I have found this in Apple support pages...
Can I use the iMac in TDM as a display for my gaming console, DVD player, or other device?
The Mini DisplayPort port on a supported iMac can receive DisplayPort compliant video and audio signals. Converters not made by Apple may provide options to convert other electrical, video, and audio protocols to Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt compliant signals.
( http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3924 )
What is DisplayPort compliant video and audio signals? Does HDMI fit into that signal type?
Is it possible to get an HDMI to Mini DisplayPort converter?
Will it work if I get a generic DVD player with HDMI output? (and connect it to the iMac through MiniDisplayPort)

First try VLC.
<http://www.videolan.org>
On many Macs, it will play DVDs even if the region codes don't match.
The Apple SuperDrive should work if you use the terminal (Utilities foldsr) command:
sudo nvram boot-args="mbasd=1"
There are also non-Apple USB or FireWire external DVD (and Blu-ray) drives, such as:
<http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/optical-drives/superdrives/>
Apple's DVD player may not work with external drives, but you can use VLC or Blu-ray™ Player
<http://www.macblurayplayer.com>
There is a converter to connect HDMI to the iMac via TDM
<http://www.kanexlive.com/xd>
but it will run at 720p (1280 x 720) and may have problems with HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) on HDMI from Blu-ray or DVD players.

Use iMac as monitor for xbox?

so i've got a iMac and and xbox 360
i noticed there's a mini-DVI port on the iMac
is there any way to hook the xbox up to the iMac so it acts like a monitor?

Those are good points, Rich - thanks for your input.
Considering the price of the EyeTV alone, I should put the $$$ towards a good LCD with quick refresh rate.
I actually already have my xbox 360 hooked up to a CRT, and the high definition is awesome. But no matter what adjustments I make, it's still on the dark side - sometimes TOO dark to enjoy.
It's a shame that I have this iMac with a beautiful bright display that I can't take advantage of. ARGHHHH
iMac (Intel CPU) Mac OS X (10.4.5)

Using iMac G4 monitor for iBook G4

I am using a iBook G4 an got an iMac G4. Is there a way using the monitor of the iMac like an external monitor while working on my iBook?
Thanks
Japday

Not unless you learned how the monitor hooks up to the iMacs logic board, then rewired it to VGA or DVI port (somehow) and then hooked it up via your mini VGA or DVI connector on your iBook. In other words, if you did this, it your iMac would have no screen should you ever want to use it, unless you undid the hacking. It would be more trouble than its worth, lets put it that way.

How can i use my iMac (purchased Dec2011 - Lion OX) as a monitor for my pc laptop? Iwould need a cable approx 1 meter in length.

How can i use my iMac (purchased Dec2011 - Lion OX) as a monitor for my pc laptop? Iwould need a cable approx 1 meter in length.

apple sell an minidisplayport to hdmi cable have have to use
so you have to subtract it's lengh from the cable to connect to if it
cable being approximately1meter in lengh
guide how you do it
http://macs.about.com/od/usingyourmac/qt/using-target-display-mode.htm

I've got a MacBook pro 15' running 10.6.6. I want to use an external monitor for my graphic design work running Adobe software and thought I'd try an HD TV. I ran a Mini Display to HDMI lead to the TV but the picture quality was disappointing.

I've got a MacBook Pro 15' running 10.6.6. I want to use an external monitor for my graphic design work using Adobe software and thought I'd try an HD TV. I ran a Mini Display to HDMI lead to the TV but the picture quality was disappointing. I also tried a Mini Display to VGA lead and that wasn't much better. I tried all variations of resolutions in System prefs - Displays but nothing helped. Am I getting something wrong? Thanks all.

In addition to pixel density, you are up against the translation driver card in the TV.
If you read the fine print of computer-resolution-capability in the TV user guide, you will see a chart as tall as the manual page. At the top is the smallest resolution capable, at the bottom is the full use of the 1080p in the TV.
Mac falls into the top 25% of the page, maxing out at 1366x768 often. This is because the TV control card is expected to do too much of the work, but is not designed for computer-monitor processing.
I looked at the resolution charts on 2 TVs before deciding to buy a 1080p LCD monitor that has a TV interface/connector. Computer monitor first, TV second. But the thing is only 27 in. Good thing TV is not as important to me as it is to others.

Is it possible use an iMac 21,5" as secondary monitor for windows 7 laptop

Hello everybody,
Recently (less than one year ago) i bought an iMac 21,5".
Now i would like to use it as secondary monitor for my laptop. (My laptop runs Windows 7).
Is it possible? (I found conflicting opinions on the web, even on the Apple forum).
What type of cable do I need?
(I will appreciate also a link to the product on some online store: preferably apple store, but also amozon, ebay, etc.)
Thank you in advance.

SOrry to say, but no.
The 2011 iMacs can only be used as a second display via a Thunderbolt-to-Thunderbolt cable.
The other way around (from Thunderbolt-to-DisplayPort) would work.
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3775 and http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Thunderbolt/10.6/en/30822.html
Stefan

Using iMac as display for laptop PA

I have a work laptop connected to a docking station that I would like to send video over to my 2012 iMac. Is this possible? The docking station has ports for VGA, DVI, and displayport and I need to find out a way to get the image from there to the iMac's mini displayport/thunderbolt.

Some Mac with DisplayPort/Thunderbolt support "Target Display Mode", which allows a Mac to become a dumb monitor for another DisplayPort/Thunderbolt capable computer. Not sure if your Mac supports "Target Display Mode" or not. Also not sure if your PC will send the correct signals to enable that.
<Target Display Mode: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Apple Support>
You could use Microsoft's Remote Desktop software from your Mac to display the PC's desktop on your Mac (I assume the PC is Windows based).
<https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/microsoft-remote-desktop/id715768417?mt=12>
There is a software product called Screen Recycler that may be able to make the Mac into a monitor for the PC
<http://www.screenrecycler.com/ScreenRecycler.html>
Also see: "Air Display"
<http://avatron.com/apps/air-display>

Using a 27" iMac as Monitor for PC

I am building a PC for Network Attached Storage (NAS) using FreeNAS:
http://www.freenas.org/
Once it's all set up I'll just use the web/network interface to manage it. But, as I assemble the PC I'll probably need a monitor to make changes to the BIOS settings.
I'm wondering whether I can use my iMac (iMac11,3) as a makeshift monitor for the PC. Apparently it's possible to do this if the PC has a Mini DisplayPort.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3924
My PC has the followoing video ports:
- VGA
- DVI
- HDMI
Can anyone tell me whether I can use my iMac as monitor to a PC with one of these ports?
If so, can anyone recommend a cable to do so? For example, this Mini DisplayPort <-> HDMI cable says it won't work for my purposes:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10428&cs_id=1042802 &p_id=5311&seq=1&format=2
"This device is not Bidirectional. It can only connect a Mini-DisplayPort source to an HDMI® display. It will not work in reverse."
I want to display my PC's VGA, HDMI, or DVI as the source to my iMac's Mini-DisplayPort, not the other way around.
Thank you for your help.
- nello

But that one doesn't support the 27" screen, you need Dual-Link DVI if it's going to work at all...
Note: This product supports single-link DVI. Dual-link DVI and the Apple 27" Cinema Display are supported by the GTV-DVIDL-2-MDP.
Which is even more money...
http://www.gefen.com/kvm/dproduct.jsp?prod_id=9898

Can an iMac be used as a monitor for a Mac Pro?

Hi all,
I'm getting nowhere looking in the search, so I'm hoping someone can clear something up for me:
is it possible to use an iMac as a display for a Mac Pro?
I am beginning to think I'd better get a Mac Pro, but I already have an iMac, for which I've been researching getting external storage so I can do Final Cut Studio editing and back up of it all... as someone suggested, might be better in the long run to just get it all in the Mac Pro, and have the option and simplicity to upgrade as and when... but then there's the need for a display for the Mac Pro, which does whack the price up... but if I could use this iMac, what a beautiful monitor...
I thought someone said that Final Cut would not allow another computer to be attached though... is that the case, anyone know?
Thanks for any knowledge and help, much appreciated... I'm learning to not rush into anything, as you learn more the whole picture seems to change!
Cheers, Syd

The current 27-inch iMac can. Other iMac models can't outside of a VNC setup or ScreenRecycler; all such solutions require a standalone monitor for setup and troubleshooting.
(51433)

24" iMac - use as a monitor for my PC?

I have a 24" iMac and want to know if I can utilize the monitor for my PC?
Dan

Well sort of, you can get Remote Desktop for your PC, then control use it from the Mac.
Or make it easy on yourself...
https://secure.logmein.com/products/free/

Use iMac as monitor for a PC laptop

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