Confirmed no target display mode for M1 iMac?

[Robospungo]

I remember reading here that the removal of that feature had something to do with Intel’s chips.

I’d be a damn shame if a computer essentially designed to look like a monitor couldn’t be used as one.

The usefulness of a high-quality 4.5K screen will likely outlive the usefulness of the M1 paired with 8GB of RAM.

A 2nd or 3rd gen Mac Mini a few years down the road would look right at home next to one of these iMacs.

 

[matrix07]

Agree. Buy iMac now and upgrade to Mac mini 5 years down the road.

 

[Analog Kid]

I remember reading here that the removal of that feature had something to do with Intel’s chips.

I’d be a damn shame if a computer essentially designed to look like a monitor couldn’t be used as one.

The usefulness of a high-quality 4.5K screen will likely outlive the usefulness of the M1 paired with 8GB of RAM.

A 2nd or 3rd gen Mac Mini a few years down the road would look right at home next to one of these iMacs.

I seem to remember that it was a DisplayPort over whatever Thunderbolt standard it was at the time— I’d imagine that’s handled now with a 6k Pro display.

 

[masimilianzo]

I would naively think that in order to enable Target Display on iMac you need a path connecting one of the USB-C port inputs with the display driver right?
Very sad this feature is not there, especially if they release a 27" 5K/ 32" 6K higher-end iMac down the line (maybe end of year?).
Now I want a more affordable Apple standalone monitor.....

 

[Danoc]

Any chance target display mode can be added with future update or some genius making a workaround?

 

[gilby101]

Target Display Mode was a thing for ~2010 to 2014. It stopped with Retina display. I doubt it will return, and assume (but don't know) that it would require a hardware change.

Software workarounds include Screen Sharing (preferably with a third party app like Jump) but are really not the same.

 

[SsSsSsSsSnake]

I was going to get a Mac mini before getting the m1 IMac and use it in target mode with my 2011 imac27 but believe that it won’t work with big Sur And M1

 

[gilby101]

Target Display Mode for either display Mac or computer Mac is a thing of long ago. As well as hardware restrictions the screen must be High Sierra or older and the host Catalina or older. See https://support.apple.com/en-my/HT204592 which says:

iMac models introduced in 2011, 2012, 2013, and mid 2014​

To use any of these iMac models as an external display:

• The iMac used as a display must have macOS High Sierra or earlier installed.
• The other Mac that you're connecting it to must have been introduced in 2019 or earlier and have macOS Catalina or earlier installed.
• The cable connecting the two Mac computers must be a Thunderbolt
  
  or Thunderbolt 2
  
  cable.

24-inch and 27-inch iMac models introduced in 2009 and 2010​

To use any of these iMac models as an external display:

• The iMac used as a display must have macOS High Sierra or earlier installed.
• The other Mac that you're connecting it to must have been introduced in 2019 or earlier and have macOS Catalina or earlier installed.
• The cable connecting the two Mac computers must be a Mini DisplayPort
  
  cable.

If you need an external 27" 2560x1440 monitor they are now relatively cheap and would use less electricity than an old iMac. Retina iMacs have never been used as displays and I am confident (but no inside line to Apple) that won't change.

I was going to get a Mac mini before getting the m1 IMac and use it in target mode with my 2011 imac27 but believe that it won’t work with big Sur And M1

It won't. Your 2011 iMac 27 is good to be a display. A 2018 Mini (the most recent Intel model) running Catalina should be ok as host - but confirm this with Apple before purchase. But not a host Mac more recent than 2019 and not one running BS.

 

[4sallypat]

I was going to get a Mac mini before getting the m1 IMac and use it in target mode with my 2011 imac27 but believe that it won’t work with big Sur And M1

Luna Display makes a hardware adapter for your M1 - $129USD:

 

[Fishrrman]

Target display mode was an Apple "technology/feature" that came... and went.
It won't be back.