iMac without target mode

[csjcsj]

I’ve been reading contradictory information on these forums and on the web in general about whether a post-2014 iMac without target mode can be used as a monitor. Can it?

I have the latest version of the iMac, but it is painfully slow with Illustrator. Slower than the 4 year old MBP I replaced with it (stupidly sold) I love the screen, but don’t have $5k for a Pro. It seems like a waste of money to buy a separate 27” (or 32") monitor for the MBP that would not be as good as the one the iMac has.

 

[SecuritySteve]

I’ve been reading contradictory information on these forums and on the web in general about whether a post-2014 iMac without target mode can be used as a monitor. Can it?

I have the latest version of the iMac, but it is painfully slow with Illustrator. Slower than the 4 year old MBP I replaced with it (stupidly sold) I love the screen, but don’t have $5k for a Pro. It seems like a waste of money to buy a separate 27” (or 32") monitor for the MBP that would not be as good as the one the iMac has.

No. Anything you read claiming you can is not using the display as a true external monitor. You can stream to that display using software, but the display is effectively wasted once the iMac hardware is obsolete or unusable.

This is the cost of an iMac (or any other all-in-one design). You're absolutely right, it is a waste.

 

[Juicy Box]

It is a shame that Apple removed Target Display Mode as a feature.

I think the displays Apple use have a beautiful picture on them, the loss of Target Display Mode really sucks....

 

[csjcsj]

Guess I’ll have to live with slow. Thanks for clarifying.