Using iMac as Display for Mac mini

jaminor · Dec 7, 2012, 12:01 AM

This is my first post.

BACKGROUND: I want to use my iMac 2.93 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (2009 model) as the display for the Mac mini 2.3 GHz 2012 model I am planning to purchase. My iMac has 4 USB 2.0 ports, 1 Firewire 800 port and 1 Mini Display port. I use the Firewire 800 port for my external 1 TB hard drive and want to dedicate the Firewire 800 port for the external hard drive. The Mac mini has 1 Firewire 800 port, 1 HDMI port, 1 Thunderbolt port and 4 USB 3.0 ports.

QUESTION: Can I use my iMac as the display for the Mac mini? If yes, what cable do I need? Does anyone have experience with doing this, and, if so, how has it worked? Are some cables for this setup better then others, and what is the best one to purchase?

Thanks for your responses . . .

Jim

martinm0 · Dec 7, 2012, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaminor

This is my first post.

BACKGROUND: I want to use my iMac 2.93 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (2009 model) as the display for the Mac mini 2.3 GHz 2012 model I am planning to purchase. My iMac has 4 USB 2.0 ports, 1 Firewire 800 port and 1 Mini Display port. I use the Firewire 800 port for my external 1 TB hard drive and want to dedicate the Firewire 800 port for the external hard drive. The Mac mini has 1 Firewire 800 port, 1 HDMI port, 1 Thunderbolt port and 4 USB 3.0 ports.

QUESTION: Can I use my iMac as the display for the Mac mini? If yes, what cable do I need? Does anyone have experience with doing this, and, if so, how has it worked? Are some cables for this setup better then others, and what is the best one to purchase?

Thanks for your responses . . .

Jim

This should work, though I don't have these machines to verify. You will want to connect the Mini to the iMac using a Mini Displayport cable (not a Thunderbolt cable). They have the same connectors, but due to the iMac not supporting Thunderbolt, I believe it requires the use of the MDP cable. I'd look at Amazon or Monoprice for one of these (just check the reviews on Amazon to find a quality cable.)

Also, HDMI only supports up to 1080p resolution (sans the new 4k tech), so you really don't want to use any HDMI to MDP cables as you'll not get the 2560/1440 resolution that the iMac can support.

jaminor · Dec 7, 2012, 12:27 AM

Is this what I need? A Mini DisplayPort (male) to HDMI Adapter Cable (male)?

TRAV9614 · Dec 7, 2012, 12:32 AM

No you just need a simple mini display port cable. MDP(male) to MDP(male).

jaminor · Dec 7, 2012, 12:39 AM

I don't think the mini Display Port (male) to mini Display Port (male) will work. The iMac has a mini Display Port but the new Mac mini does not. I've looked at the ports for the new Mac mini - no mini Display Port on the one I will be purchasing.

jmcgeejr · Dec 7, 2012, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaminor

I don't think the mini Display Port (male) to mini Display Port (male) will work. The iMac has a mini Display Port but the new Mac mini does not. I've looked at the ports for the new Mac mini - no mini Display Port on the one I will be purchasing.

Thunderbolt is backwards compatible with display port, you are going to want to put the imac into target display mode to use it with the mini.

jaminor · Dec 7, 2012, 02:18 AM

After further search I found the following information . . .

Can I connect a Mini DisplayPort monitor or monitor using a Mini DisplayPort adapter to a Thunderbolt port on my Thunderbolt-equipped Mac?

Yes. A Mini DisplayPort display or a display connecting with a Mini DisplayPort to VGA, DVI, or HDMI adapter will work just like it was connecting to a Mini DisplayPort connector when plugging in directly to the Thunderbolt connector on your Apple computer. Click here for more information on Mini DisplayPort connections and adapters.

So I gather that the solution is to use a Mini DisplayPort connector to Mini DisplayPort connector from my iMac Display Port to my mac Mini Thunderbolt port. Is this correct?

minifridge1138 · Dec 7, 2012, 02:01 PM

Won't the iMac have to be booted in order to use it as a display?

jaminor · Dec 7, 2012, 02:04 PM

Thanks for your help. I know what to do now.

Thanks again,

Jim

colinwil · Dec 10, 2012, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by minifridge1138

Won't the iMac have to be booted in order to use it as a display?

No - you can toggle the iMac's display between the iMac and the Mac Mini by pressing cmd-F2. No rebooting required.

colinwil · Dec 10, 2012, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaminor

So I gather that the solution is to use a Mini DisplayPort connector to Mini DisplayPort connector from my iMac Display Port to my mac Mini Thunderbolt port. Is this correct?

Yes - that's correct. It won't work the other way round (MDP mini to thunderbolt iMac), but Thunderbolt mini to MDP iMac will work fine with an MDP to MDP lead.

minifridge1138 · Dec 10, 2012, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colinwil

No - you can toggle the iMac's display between the iMac and the Mac Mini by pressing cmd-F2. No rebooting required.

I didn't say the iMac would have to be rebooted.
I said booted; as in the iMac would have to be on and running OS X. You can't turn on just the monitor portion of the iMac.

I see situations where this could be useful. But if you really just want the iMac for its screen, then it seems much more effective to sell the iMac and buy a display.

chrise2 · Dec 11, 2012, 03:27 PM

I had the 2010 iMac and you could only use it as a display on the 27" model. The 21.5" model I had would not support this.

Dec 7, 2012, 12:01 AM	#1
jaminor macrumors newbie Join Date: Dec 2012	Using iMac as Display for Mac mini This is my first post. BACKGROUND: I want to use my iMac 2.93 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (2009 model) as the display for the Mac mini 2.3 GHz 2012 model I am planning to purchase. My iMac has 4 USB 2.0 ports, 1 Firewire 800 port and 1 Mini Display port. I use the Firewire 800 port for my external 1 TB hard drive and want to dedicate the Firewire 800 port for the external hard drive. The Mac mini has 1 Firewire 800 port, 1 HDMI port, 1 Thunderbolt port and 4 USB 3.0 ports. QUESTION: Can I use my iMac as the display for the Mac mini? If yes, what cable do I need? Does anyone have experience with doing this, and, if so, how has it worked? Are some cables for this setup better then others, and what is the best one to purchase? Thanks for your responses . . . Jim
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Dec 7, 2012, 12:32 AM	#4
TRAV9614 macrumors regular Join Date: Aug 2012	No you just need a simple mini display port cable. MDP(male) to MDP(male). __________________ 2012 15" cMBP, 2.3 GHz, 16 GB RAM, 500 GB HDD with 5TB external storage; iPad2 16 Gb; 3rd gen iPod touch 32 GB
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Dec 7, 2012, 12:27 AM	#3
jaminor Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Dec 2012	Is this what I need? A Mini DisplayPort (male) to HDMI Adapter Cable (male)?
	0

Dec 7, 2012, 12:39 AM	#5
jaminor Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Dec 2012	I don't think the mini Display Port (male) to mini Display Port (male) will work. The iMac has a mini Display Port but the new Mac mini does not. I've looked at the ports for the new Mac mini - no mini Display Port on the one I will be purchasing.
	0

Dec 7, 2012, 02:18 AM	#7
jaminor Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Dec 2012	After further search I found the following information . . . Can I connect a Mini DisplayPort monitor or monitor using a Mini DisplayPort adapter to a Thunderbolt port on my Thunderbolt-equipped Mac? Yes. A Mini DisplayPort display or a display connecting with a Mini DisplayPort to VGA, DVI, or HDMI adapter will work just like it was connecting to a Mini DisplayPort connector when plugging in directly to the Thunderbolt connector on your Apple computer. Click here for more information on Mini DisplayPort connections and adapters. So I gather that the solution is to use a Mini DisplayPort connector to Mini DisplayPort connector from my iMac Display Port to my mac Mini Thunderbolt port. Is this correct?
	0

Dec 7, 2012, 02:01 PM	#8
minifridge1138 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2010	Won't the iMac have to be booted in order to use it as a display?
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Dec 7, 2012, 02:04 PM	#9
jaminor Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Dec 2012	Thanks for your help. I know what to do now. Thanks again, Jim
	0

Dec 11, 2012, 03:27 PM	#13
chrise2 macrumors regular Join Date: Sep 2012	I had the 2010 iMac and you could only use it as a display on the 27" model. The 21.5" model I had would not support this.
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