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Connecting iMac to Macbook Air

H

HmnCpt

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 26, 2021
4
0
Hi there.

I searched and didn't get any results for this, so apologies if this has already been discussed.

I recently bought a refurbed 2017 iMac Retina 4K to replace my 2014 Macbook Air. I want to connect my Macbook Air to the iMac so I can use it as a second screen/monitor when using certain apps. I've tried numerous ways but can't get the iMac to recognise the Macbook Air and vice-versa. I'm using a lightning cable with an HDMI adapter out of the iMac, and then an HDMI to Mini Displayport cable in to the Macbook Air (which I already owned).

Have a feeling this wrong but I'm less technically minded than most! I was previously using VGA to Mini Display port adapter when I used an old Dell monitor as a second screen for my Macbook Air, so I'm confused as to why it's not working?!

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
 
Hi HmnCpt,

Sadly the iMac doesn’t have the functionally to be used as an external display.
 
The iMac is a computer, not a display and doesn't have the signal input logic require to be used as such.
Older pre-Retina iMacs did but those were discontinued in 2014.
 
hg.wells said:
Hi HmnCpt,

Sadly the iMac doesn’t have the functionally to be used as an external display.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply.

Think I worded my initial post a little incorrectly. I want to use my iMac as the 'master screen' and the Macbook Air as the 'second screen' and be able to move apps from the iMac screen to the display on the Macbook. Is this not possible? Thanks.
 
No, that's not possible. The same thing applies in this scenario: there's no signal input logic to feed the video signal into the device.
 
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mj_ said:
No, that's not possible. The same thing applies in this scenario: there's no signal input logic to feed the video signal into the device.
Click to expand...
Ok. Many thanks for clarifying, MJ. Your help is greatly appreciated.
 
I use an external Apple Thunderbolt display on my Macs (M1 Mac, iMac 4K, M1 MBP at work).

When the new M1 iMac arrives, it will also connect to the Thunderbolt display - it will replace the 2019 iMac on the left.

IMG_7229.jpg
 
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