Non Apple Laptop and 2012 iMac (21.5") as external monitor?

[akapaul]

Is anyone connecting a non Apple laptop (such as an HP) to a 2012 iMac (21.5") and using the iMac as an external display?

I searched around lightly and found that most use their MacBooks and MacBook Airs but I really have not seen many folks use non-Apple laptops.

I was thinking of picking up a 21.5" iMac and buying a cable (display port to mini display port). I was then thinking of connecting my HP laptop to the thunderbolt port in the iMac and using the iMac as an external monitor.

This should work flawlessly correct? I just want some feedback from someone who actually has this setup and is happy with it. Much appreciated!

 

[ezramoore]

21.5" iMacs have never supported Target Display Mode, so no. That wouldn't work.

 

[JaHull]

The 2011 iMacs will only accept an input from a ThunderBolt source and a ThunderBolt cable so to be able to use the iMac as an external display for a none Apple laptop they will need to be equipped with a ThunderBolt port.
It is only safe to assume that the 2012 models will only accept input from a ThunderBolt source as well.

----------

21.5" iMacs have never supported Target Display Mode, so no. That wouldn't work.

The 2011 21.5" iMacs do support Target Display Mode.

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3775

 

[ezramoore]

Woah, my bad. Thanks for the link!

 

[akapaul]

The 2011 iMacs will only accept an input from a ThunderBolt source and a ThunderBolt cable so to be able to use the iMac as an external display for a none Apple laptop they will need to be equipped with a ThunderBolt port.
It is only safe to assume that the 2012 models will only accept input from a ThunderBolt source as well.

----------



The 2011 21.5" iMacs do support Target Display Mode.

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3775

So sounds like the current iMacs will not allow what I am looking for. Let's hope the new refresh will change this. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Stetrain]

Not sure why you would do that, unless you wanted to use the iMac as it's own computer as well sometimes.

You could get a high quality 21.5" display for much cheaper than an iMac.

 

[theSeb]

21.5" iMacs have never supported Target Display Mode, so no. That wouldn't work.

You can use the 2011 iMac as a display for all 2011 Mac computers with thunderbolt.

 

[jsolares]

So sounds like the current iMacs will not allow what I am looking for. Let's hope the new refresh will change this. Thanks for the feedback.

No, the refresh won't change it, the new iMac will also be thunderbolt based, you could use a 2010 27" iMac though it's performance will be lower :S

Maybe those Kanex boxes for thunderbolt actually come out

 

[ezramoore]

You can use the 2011 iMac as a display for all 2011 Mac computers with thunderbolt.

Someone else already mentioned that.

 

[akapaul]

Not sure why you would do that, unless you wanted to use the iMac as it's own computer as well sometimes.

You could get a high quality 21.5" display for much cheaper than an iMac.

I want to connect my work computer when I work from home.

 

[smaragdina]

I also have the same requirement (work requires me to use a windows laptop, I need a larger monitor and already have an Imac).

Is there anyway screen share remotely through wireless etc?

Thanks.