I only use my Macbook as-is...no external monitors. Honest question: What is so great about this feature that Apple is touting with all the seemingly problems and limited support? Why not just buy a $400-$1000 great monitor and use that for your external/extended display for your Macbook or iPad (other than you don't want to spend money)? My limited research shows that external monitors are well supported by Apple Macbooks and iPads and is far more supported, likely simpler, and should be better.
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Newer Macs Can Use Another Mac as an External Display on macOS Monterey
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It's more of greed, Apple is shameless about forcing even its most faithful users to upgrade in order to realize the latest software technologies. Steve Jobs initially wasn't going to offer iTunes on Windows. The iMac + iPod bundle, starting at just $1899.
Exactly!
That's truly the best case scenario I can think of.
It could also work in the other direction, a person with a powerful iMac (perhaps the new M2 models) using his or her macbook air as a secondary display, seamelessly.
That's not me though, as I can barely afford one mac at a time LOL
I'm so psyched about this! It should keep my iMac in business for a few extra years as an external display once I upgrade the computer.
How old is it?
I'm pretty sure it will need to be very new to do full resolution/refresh rate/color depth second screen work
From the Apple page linked in the article. Emphasis added.
Send wired or wirelessly
AirPlay works both wirelessly and wired using USB. A wired connection is useful when you want to ensure that there’s no latency or you don’t have access to Wi-Fi.
No latency is the hope, yes
What remains to be seen (and will need to be tested) is if that will apply for all machines and resolution/refresh rate combinations, etc
Lots of factors can play into that
This is fun. Let’s all complain about a feature that hasn’t even launched yet 
Hoping I can use my 2017 27" iMac as a display, but doesn't sound like it's supported. Not sure there is any significant hardware difference to the 2019 besides processing power? Maybe someone will figure out a hack if it's not supported.
I've been wanting something like TDM for a while, as my iMac goes to waste during my work day, taking up space on my desk while I use my 16" MacBook Pro for work. It was the best desktop Mac option in 2017, but I'm getting a Mac Mini next time.
A little latency would be a acceptable, as long as it's better than existing software solutions like Duet. I wonder if a ThunderBolt 3 connection could be used.
I've been wanting something like TDM for a while, as my iMac goes to waste during my work day, taking up space on my desk while I use my 16" MacBook Pro for work. It was the best desktop Mac option in 2017, but I'm getting a Mac Mini next time.
A little latency would be a acceptable, as long as it's better than existing software solutions like Duet. I wonder if a ThunderBolt 3 connection could be used.
buy 2 iMacs and use one as an extended display so its all matching…….
get one maxed and the other a base model.
get one maxed and the other a base model.
If we can get close to full speed (over USB) and full resolution, I’d really consider a 2nd iMac as my 2nd display.
If Apple disappoints and doesn’t release displays in colors to match the 2021 iMac, I might just have to buy a second Green iMac as a monitor!
Tell me you've got too much disposable income without telling me you've got disposable income.
The iMac is a pretty terrible computer when it comes to sustainability.
If the monitor dies, the computer is useless. But the reverse is even more applicable; if the computer dies or is deemed too slow, the monitor is useless.
At the very least, this computer with this kind of screen should be able to be used as external monitor for another device.
(Ps: The headline is a little bit misleading / click-baity)
If the monitor dies, the computer is useless. But the reverse is even more applicable; if the computer dies or is deemed too slow, the monitor is useless.
At the very least, this computer with this kind of screen should be able to be used as external monitor for another device.
(Ps: The headline is a little bit misleading / click-baity)
you talking to me? the business has an income that allows for the right tools [and 2 x 24“ 4K is my perfect set up] however personally I would never have 2 iMacs at home on my desk.
also the reality is the iMac isn’t powerful enough for my work, so just a pipe dream at present.
My dude they did it with LG years ago. This is the exact same display panel that is in the 27inch iMac. It even has webcam, speakers, USB, thunderbolt, and is 100% controlled by macOS and keyboard function keys. I think Apple even helped with the design. It is an Apple display in everything except name:
My god people—Apple makes a cool feature, which is clearly not designed for all use cases, and all anyone can say is "too much latency" or "I'd have liked this years ago."
This feels like the Amazon answers where people are like "I didn't try this yet but it looks good."
Not every feature in an OS is for you, doesn't mean it's not a good feature. There are plenty of use cases, we don't all have to say how we're not going to use it.
This feels like the Amazon answers where people are like "I didn't try this yet but it looks good."
Not every feature in an OS is for you, doesn't mean it's not a good feature. There are plenty of use cases, we don't all have to say how we're not going to use it.
I think you know this from the tone of your reply (and use of "the real thing"), but just in case: "with a wired external monitor" is already possible via USB-C/Thunderbolt. But you either get mirroring of the iPad's resolution or something different for "apps that support it" (as per Apple describing this AirPlay display option.) So it sounds like this new option will work exactly how the external display for iPad works today.
Pretty sure you know this and just want something more ... and, yea, many of us do. (Especially with mouse and trackpad support so well and widely supported in the OS now.)
I keep thinking there is a market for a conversion kit to properly turn these into external displays. So many of these iMacs are aging out and it is a shame that they are taking otherwise beautiful 5K displays with them that could be used for years more. I believe a kickstarter for a DIY kit or a service to send in a Mac for conversion would be popular.
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Well that depends on ones profession... I would probably drag a pdf file there that I need when writing on the main screen, some latency wouldn't probably be much of an issue.
There are at least two 3rd party software that can function as an AirPlay server:
- AirServer
- X-Mirage