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sinitry23

macrumors member
Original poster
Aug 30, 2009
34
0
I am going to purchase the latest iMac 27inch and I was wondering if I can use the thunderbolt cable from the latest iMac27 (2013) and connect it to the mini display port on my iMac 27 2009? After I hit CTRL and F2 on the iMac 27 2009 will this change into a 2nd display?
 
I am going to purchase the latest iMac 27inch and I was wondering if I can use the thunderbolt cable from the latest iMac27 (2013) and connect it to the mini display port on my iMac 27 2009? After I hit CTRL and F2 on the iMac 27 2009 will this change into a 2nd display?

Nope the older machine doesn't understand Thunderbolt but you might try using Target Display mode with the correct (mini display port) cable. Please click the link below for instructions from Apple.

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3924
 
I actually sold my 27" Thunderbolt Display just now and purchased a late 2009 27" iMac.

I use it with my retina MacBook Pro and since the iMac offers Target Display Mode (via mdp to mdl cable), it was a no brainer. (I could trade the display with the iMac for no extra charge).

I dropped in an SSD and 16GB of RAM for when I want to use the iMac as a computer (although it mostly functions as a screen).
 
Nope the older machine doesn't understand Thunderbolt but you might try using Target Display mode with the correct (mini display port) cable. Please click the link below for instructions from Apple.

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3924

I can run my iMac late 2009 in 'Target display mode" using a mini display cable? The mini display cable will connect from my Macbook Pro retinas thunderbolt to the iMac 2009 mini display port?
 
I can run my iMac late 2009 in 'Target display mode" using a mini display cable? The mini display cable will connect from my Macbook Pro retinas thunderbolt to the iMac 2009 mini display port?

Yep, did you read Apple's instructions????????????????????????????????
 
Yep, did you read Apple's instructions????????????????????????????????

Yes I read the instructions from your link and my questions was to clarify my understanding. From the instructions it states

"Connect the cable to the Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt port on each computer (you must use the same type of port on each computer)"

My macbook retina does not have a mini display port, so I wanted to know if there a way to connect that to my iMac 2009 27 that has a mini display port?
 
Yes I read the instructions from your link and my questions was to clarify my understanding. From the instructions it states

"Connect the cable to the Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt port on each computer (you must use the same type of port on each computer)"

My macbook retina does not have a mini display port, so I wanted to know if there a way to connect that to my iMac 2009 27 that has a mini display port?

Your MacBook retina has a Thunderbolt output, this is the same output for mini-display port, all you need is a mini-display port cable as the instructions stated.
 
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