new iMacs as a monitor

[Zillion]

I read this post http://blog.fosketts.net/2010/01/05/27-imac-monitor-tips/

However if I read the specs from the iMacs it says only Mini DisplayPort output, which btw I cant see on the image.

Is it still possible to use the iMac also as an external display for a PC with Display Port or a Macbook?

 

[Lagmonster]

Not yet. We need a Thunderbolt adapter. Soon i hope!

 

[iSayuSay]

Essentially, mDP on 2011 iMac has been modified to be a Thunderbolt port. Too bad they have identical port, but works very differently.

Thunderbolt port works as universal I/O port, and this include display mode. So in case you want to use iMac 2011 as display, you need some sort of adaptor.

Whether it is adaptor for mDP-Thunderbolt, or HDMI-Thunderbolt, or even DVI-Thunderbolt.

It's not just mDP port as we know it all along. So you can't use it with another PC with mDP but without Thunderbolt.

That's why currently there only 2 devices on earth which can use iMac 2011 as display directly. Macbook Pro early 2011, and another iMac of the same gen

 

[Zillion]

Thx a lot for ur answers! I guess I need to get an older iMac if I want this.

 

[dgr]

Thx a lot for ur answers! I guess I need to get an older iMac if I want this.

or just get the new version and hope/wait for the adapter.

 

[creepy crab]

Thx a lot for ur answers! I guess I need to get an older iMac if I want this.

Or just live in the knowledge that a third party will make an adapter. i'm sure this will be called a gamble by some, but in all seriousness, TB is soon going to be standard on all apple machines, and the need for a universal display mode will be overwhelming. Theres an adapter for absolutely everything, but sometimes with new tech it takes a while.

I was in the same position as you as i need my imac act as my monitor for everything, including blu-ray and xbox, but the adapter will come!

 

[Zillion]

Any news on an adapter?

 

[Chris5488]

Well, I have been searching and searching for a solution to connect my Xbox 360 to my 2011 iMac since the HDMI to mini-Displayport converters are useless since Thunderbolt.

This is the best option I have found: the Blackmagic Intensity Extreme.
It's an HDMI capture card which uses Thunderbolt. It relies on a video editing program like Final Cut or Adobe Premiere but if you're not recording put the playback on fullscreen you get the same result

As long as you're not recording the signal there will hardly be any lag.
It's not a perfect solution (limited to HDMI and it's resolutions) but you won't have any EDID- or brightness problems I really hope this works lag-free since this could be THE solution I have been waiting for (and so many others).