Is there ANY way to use an iMac 27 (2011) as external monitor for a laptop PC?

[Tibo2004]

Hi, I know you can use the iMac in target display mode with macbook pros, or macbook airs... I also understand that it can not work with a non-apple laptop.

I am just wondering if anyone has been able to achieve this. Bring a PC laptop and use the iMac as external display.

Any alternatives, even software, would help me. Otherwise I will just sell the iMac, buy an external display that can accept anything, and buy a mac mini for my mac needs... but it is really not an exciting proposition. I wish I could just connect my work PC to my imac...

Thanks for your help,

Tibo

 

[jonblatho]

If I recall correctly, the cable must be Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt. There could be some ungodly combination of adapters that may work, though.

 

[yjchua95]

Hi, I know you can use the iMac in target display mode with macbook pros, or macbook airs... I also understand that it can not work with a non-apple laptop.

I am just wondering if anyone has been able to achieve this. Bring a PC laptop and use the iMac as external display.

Any alternatives, even software, would help me. Otherwise I will just sell the iMac, buy an external display that can accept anything, and buy a mac mini for my mac needs... but it is really not an exciting proposition. I wish I could just connect my work PC to my imac...

Thanks for your help,

Tibo

If you're running a Pro variant of Windows, you can download Microsoft RDC (free App Store app) and connect to your Windows system. It'll run at your iMac's native resolution and behaves like a native machine, assuming that both are connected over Gigabit Ethernet.

 

[Tibo2004]

If you're running a Pro variant of Windows, you can download Microsoft RDC (free App Store app) and connect to your Windows system. It'll run at your iMac's native resolution and behaves like a native machine, assuming that both are connected over Gigabit Ethernet.

Thanks for feedback, I beleive the RDC option is pretty nice. Unfortunately, I am using my work PC and the firewall/security settings I need to change are blocked by my IT administrator at work... I doubt he will let me change that It looks like a good alternatives.

Best,

Tibo

 

[robgendreau]

Check out http://www.screenrecycler.com/ScreenRecycler.html

Unfortunately it's a variant of VNC so you'd need some IT love to get it running I suspect. But it's great as long as the shared screen uses relatively static images. It doesn't mirror, it is extra screen.