iMac Pro as an external PC display?

[Peter_M]

Hi,

Has anyone been able to use the iMac Pro as an external display for a Windows PC? I know this hasn't been possible with previous iMac models, but the hardware in iMac Pro is quite different.

It would be great appreciated if someone with access to a PC could check if this is possible.

Thanks!

 

[mikehalloran]

Yes, the hardware is different but I know of nothing in the T2 chip that could make this work. Linking with the new Mini or MacBook Pro? Yes.

Actually, it is possible with certain old iMacs through FireWire but it’s a convoluted PIA and few consider it worth the effort.

 

[DeltaMac]

There's no hardware video input on the iMac Pro, so, unless you have some kind of screen sharing software setup, and I don't know of anything like that which will work between a Windows PC and any Mac, but there might be something.
And, even that would rely on software support, and probably not worth the attempt.

 

[Apple Mac Daz]

Wouldn’t it be easier to just Bootcamp it

 

[SecuritySteve]

No, target display mode has not been supported on any iMac for quite some time. iMac Pro included. That built in monitor is worth 0 when it's not powered by your iMac.

 

[Peter_M]

Thanks, I figured as much. Though I'd ask just in case.

 

[kudukudu]

Sigh, I have never liked the idea of an all in one for a desktop computer for so many different reasons: 1) what problem is this actually trying to solve - with a laptop the screen needs to be combined with the computer for obvious reasons but with a desktop that does not move? 2) cramming all of those components into a small form factor creates a thermal cooling challenge which has been a problem with a number of previous apple products leading to premature failure, 3) going with an all in one means using slower laptop components over faster desktop/workstation components which require large heatsinks and more aggressive active cooling, 4) having an all in one means that you need to get rid of the monitor and computer at the same time.

Now i can almost get my head around living with this stupid compromise if i could use the iMac Pro as an external monitor for my work windows laptop (which is what i am currently doing with the 30" ACD). But not being able to use the bloody thing as an external monitor like previous iMacs, what were they thinking? Such a total lack of focus on the customer......

 

[CWallace]

But not being able to use the bloody thing as an external monitor like previous iMacs, what were they thinking? Such a total lack of focus on the customer......

It was not maliciousness on Apple's part. In 2014, external 5K displays (like the Dell) required dual inputs, each driving one half of the screen. So you had effectively a 30Hz refresh rate. Apple developed a custom timing controller for the iMac 5K that allowed the display to be driven at 60Hz, but doing so meant that Target Display Mode was no longer possible.