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432521

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Aug 10, 2010
6
0
So I want to buy the newest iMac, I am assuming it is the late 2012 version but I want to know if the 21.5' base model can handle 2 external monitors? I know on the back there are two thunderbolt connections. So can I buy the two adapters that go from that to either HDMI, VGA, or DVI and connect two separate monitors to make my total display area 3 whole screens? I will not be playing games on the this computer, but if I do it would be a game like flyff or another low graphic mmorpg. At all other times I will just be surfing the web or working on word documents and watching youtube videos.
 

TyPod

macrumors 68000
Nov 2, 2006
1,745
18
Minneapolis, MN
It's definitely possible, but it depends on what resolution you're looking to run on the two external monitors.

I have a 21.5" iMac and I'm looking to do the same when I get back to my two extra screens at school for the semester.
 

desantim

macrumors newbie
Oct 23, 2012
16
0
I have a 2012 iMac i7 27", dual monitors are running perfect. Both 27" external monitors.
 

Bear

macrumors G3
Jul 23, 2002
8,088
5
Sol III - Terra
Just a note that the 2011 21.5" iMac has only one Thunderbolt port and would be restricted to one external display.

The 2012 with 2 Thunderbolt ports can have 2 external displays.
 

432521

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Aug 10, 2010
6
0
I just bought my iMac 21.5" and it will work. I am using my mini display port to HDMI that I was using with my Macbook Pro to my Samsung TV and I bought a mini display port to DVI-D to hook up to my new ASUS monitor. It was just a simple connection and everything connected and is working. Youtube runs perfect no lag, or no lag that I can tell.

I was worried because a Mac specialist at the apple store... yea never listening to those guys again, said that adding two separate external monitors would not work on the 21.5" model and the only way for me to be able to do it was if I got the 27" model.
 

Bear

macrumors G3
Jul 23, 2002
8,088
5
Sol III - Terra
...
I was worried because a Mac specialist at the apple store... yea never listening to those guys again, said that adding two separate external monitors would not work on the 21.5" model and the only way for me to be able to do it was if I got the 27" model.
They may have been thinking about the 2011 21.5" model which did have a restriction of one external display.
 

432521

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Aug 10, 2010
6
0
They may have been thinking about the 2011 21.5" model which did have a restriction of one external display.

I am pretty sure he wasn't. I waited for 20 minutes for one of the other workers to find him and we were standing in front of the newest model and I turned the iMac around and pointed to the two thunderbolt ports.
 

TyPod

macrumors 68000
Nov 2, 2006
1,745
18
Minneapolis, MN
I am pretty sure he wasn't. I waited for 20 minutes for one of the other workers to find him and we were standing in front of the newest model and I turned the iMac around and pointed to the two thunderbolt ports.

What an idiot. I went to the Apple Store to clarify this just like you were doing, and I got it confirmed that I can run two external displays (one in each thunderbolt port) on my 2013 21.5" iMac.
 
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