Thunderbolt Display vs 2011 27" iMac in Target Display Mode?

I believe the iMac has to be booted up and running to use TDP mode. That's the biggest downside I see. At that point you might as well use it the way it was intended.

Been using an iMac as a monitor for over a year

I've been using an older iMac as a monitor for my early 2011 Macbook Pro for over a year. If you have an old iMac sitting around you are not using much or can get one more cheaply than a similar sized monitor, it's a good option. With that said, I am interested in getting a new dedicated Apple display if they come out with one this year. There are a few things you should consider:

1) You do need to boot up the iMac in order to use it as a monitor. If you have multiple logins it will work from the login screen. That means it will use more power and probably make more fan noise than a dedicated monitor.

2) Your Macbook will send audio to the iMac's speakers. But in order to control the volume, you will need to use a keyboard hooked up to the iMac. If you use a bluetooth wireless keyboard you will need to change the batteries every so often.

3) The connection doesn't always work the first time and you might have to replug it in. It works almost always if you plug in the connector after both the Macbook and iMac are booted and the Macbook's screen is on.

4) As far as I know, you can't use the iMac drive directly from your Macbook. You may be able to use it as a network drive, but I've never tried.

5) As far as I know, you can't use the camera built into the iMac from your Macbook, in case you want to use it for Facetime/Skype/etc.

Saint.Icon said:

Which is the better option?

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As the two other replies indicated... while you can use the iMac... it does come with limitations.

I used my personal iMac as a TDM monitor for my work MBA for about a year. It was kludgy. I finally bought a ATD and it is a MUCH cleaner solution.

Currently, I use my ATD as a second monitor for my 27" iMac... and when I need to, I use it for my work MBA instead. Very clean and easy.

I'd personally go with the ATD. I'd wait to see if one is announced at WDC since it is so close... but I would be surprised if one was.

/Jim

With a Thunderbolt Display you can add AppleCare Protection Plan for $99 and have 3 years of coverage; if the display goes out in the iMac in a month you're hosed.

The TBD also is a full docking station for you - handles Ethernet, USB, camera, etc - you don't get all that with the iMac.

I see the appeal of the iMac option, having a 2nd computer you can use for other purposes. You're trading off some convenience and warranty protection. Unless you have a specific need for the iMac, I'd suggest the Thunderbolt Display.

Any ideas for how you're switching your iMac's keyboard and mouse between your Macbook and iMac? I disabled Bluetooth on my wife's iMac to use the keyboard and mouse, but this isn't a great idea since we'll have to hard boot her iMac to get it working again.

mcdisease said:

Any ideas for how you're switching your iMac's keyboard and mouse between your Macbook and iMac? I disabled Bluetooth on my wife's iMac to use the keyboard and mouse, but this isn't a great idea since we'll have to hard boot her iMac to get it working again.

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I created a macro using Keyboard Maestro - worth checking out

the 2011 27" iMac is still a great machine. Throw in an SSD under the superdrive and add some ram, you won't be able to tell the difference in speed from your rMBP. Not to mention physically having a bigger screen and running in a native resolution of 2560 x 1440 is MUCH better than the rMBP's retina native resolution which only gives you the working area of 1440 x 900, even if it is a super clear 1440 x 900.



Congrats!