Can I use the iMac as an external monitor for a windows laptop?

[islandboy198]

EDIT:

OH I also have a pretty old Mac with a 30 pin Mac display... The computer is still connected as well in case I need that... Is there any way (through converters or other) to get the display off my windows laptop and into this 30 pin Mac monitor?

Just some extra info, the wire for the monitor, although has 30 pins, also as a few extra on the side, it looks to just provide power. The monitor itself also has a power button on it that can be an alternate power button to the one on the computer (which is a power Mac G4 if I remember correctly).

I doubt you can do anything with it since my 2008 iMac doesn't have the correct insides for it... But I just thought I would share everything I had...

Since I'm sure I'm not describing the wire correctly I can take pictures of the port and wire if requested...

Thank you for all the help so far by the way...




Ok, first off I've been trying to solve this for a while now, but im finding it hard to get an answer. I know you can connect macs to macs and macs to tv's, but I want to connect my iMac to a windows laptop.

Its an older one (the windows laptop) it has vista on it if I remember correctly. The only problem with it is the screen... It was busted and it leaked until unusable... So I took the screen off in hopes of getting a new one from a friend but it was the wrong size by a few inches... Im looking to use my old imac as a screen for it but I need to know exactly what to buy, wires, converters, everything.

All that I can see that can be used to pul display out of the windows laptop is a VGA port. I know there are Mini DisplayPort To VGA Adapters but im pretty sure the INPUT for those is the Mini Display... Unless there is a way to reverse this then Im supposing that wont work.

Is there any way to get the display to my computer?

(Also im sorry for my poor knowledge in computer displays... I mostly dont muck around in this kind of stuff, but any help possible would be great!)

Thanks

 

[old-wiz]

The older iMacs have no video input. Your only choice would be something like the elgato devices or buy a cheap monitor.

 

[islandboy198]

I think you may of misunderstood, sorry... I must have not made that clear...

My imac is an early 2008 modal, unless thats still too old...

Its the windows laptop thats late 2006-early 2007...

 

[amanpatel]

This functionality is referred to as "Target Display Mode" in the apple universe.

Unfortunately your iMac was just a year too early before this was implemented. Before you go about complaining about this, Please understand that target display mode is not a simple wire solution, it actually requires firmware support in the EFI to be able to transfer data from the video input to the monitor. If you do have 2009/2010 iMac, be aware that you will need a display-port capable device (and not just a dvi/hdmi type output).

Reference thread:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3347662?start=0&tstart=0

for 2009/2010:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3924

thanks!

 

[islandboy198]

Ah, ok...

I hate to do this to people but can anyone suggest any good cheap monitors in that case... It doesn't need to be an amazing gaming one, just something to see the screen with you know... And brands I should look out for?

 

[islandboy198]

OH I also have a pretty old Mac with a 30 pin Mac display... The computer is still connected as well in case I need that... Is there any way (through converters or other) to get the display off my windows laptop and into this 30 pin Mac monitor?

Just some extra info, the wire for the monitor, although has 30 pins, also as a few extra on the side, it looks to just provide power. The monitor itself also has a power button on it that can be an alternate power button to the one on the computer (which is a power Mac G4 if I remember correctly).

I doubt you can do anything with it since my 2008 iMac doesn't have the correct insides for it... But I just thought I would share everything I had...

Since I'm sure I'm not describing the wire correctly I can take pictures of the port and wire if requested...

Thank you for all the help so far by the way...

 

[islandboy198]

Any ideas? Or should I give up on the idea?

 

[old-wiz]

I wouldn't even consider trying to figure out the wire business; there's more to a connection than wires - you need to know what kind of signal the monitor needs and what kind of signal the windows machine is going to output.

just buy a cheap monitor and let it go.