if I got an imac and it went bad (failed HD, logic board, etc), is it possible to still use the screen using a macbook (or any laptop)?
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Possible to use a iMac's screen with macbooks?
- Thread starter Nobita
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Hellhammer
Moderator emeritus
27" iMac supports Target Display Mode but others don't. TDM might work if the HD goes bad but in case the logic board or GPU goes, you will be out of luck.
Badger^2
macrumors 68000
yes its possible, but probably not with a bad logic board. hard drives are easily replaceable. And only with the newest MBPs, not a MB.
However -- 3 years of Applecare for an iMac is $110, less than the adapter it would take to use it as an external display and would cover bad drives and bad logic boards.
Mini DisplayPort output with support for DVI, VGA, and dual-link DVI (adapters sold separately); 27-inch models also support input from external DisplayPort sources (adapters sold separately)
However -- 3 years of Applecare for an iMac is $110, less than the adapter it would take to use it as an external display and would cover bad drives and bad logic boards.
Mini DisplayPort output with support for DVI, VGA, and dual-link DVI (adapters sold separately); 27-inch models also support input from external DisplayPort sources (adapters sold separately)
AppleNewton
macrumors 68000
Ok, so the only thing that's holding me from buying an iMac currently is just the display... I'm wondering if I should buy it or buy Apple cinema display and plug it to my macbook... Will apple cinema display last longer than iMac, per se?
My current dell monitor is already 3 years and running great, it's just that I don't really like the colour and no instant on.
My current dell monitor is already 3 years and running great, it's just that I don't really like the colour and no instant on.
BobbyCat
macrumors regular
My 20" Samsung really is a great monitor: I compared different displays in several malls before I chose it (vivid colors, sharp, good price, flawless for 3 years).
My 2008 MacBook wouldn't support more than a 20" screen anyway. If you have a pro laptop, you may hook up a larger one.
I'm planning to get a 27" iMac sometime, but in anycase my next external display will be a Samsung, no doubt about it.
Now this is interesting... Why are you happy with non-apple displays? In my experience non apple display has very funny colours. I tried editing a shilouette photo on my macbook screen, it IS shilouette in my macbook screen, but not on my dell screen... Do you have a link to your samsung display? I think mine is something like this: http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&sku=320-7438
I'm not completely unhappy with that, given that I only spent around $150 for that. But next time I'm definitely getting a 27" with LED. I also want build in speaker and camera, and also macbook charger... So is there anything cheaper than apple cinema display that does that?
Would an aluminum macbook 2008 not support 27" apple cinema display? I thought it would... What about macbook airs?
BobbyCat
macrumors regular
I used to have several Apple displays side by side, they're absolutely great and worth the money, that's for sure. All pro designers agree on that I think. But I'm poor these days, and I can't afford them anymore.
I found Samsung has comparable quality screens for a price about 1/3. I paid 220 euros (= 315 $) for my 20", 3 years ago.
* http://www.samsung.com/ae/consumer/.../LS22PEBSFV/XSG/index.idx?pagetype=prd_detail
Check your MacBook Airs maximum resolution for an external screen before buying.
My MacBook from 2008 has integrated graphics, which is too weak for a 27" (shared memory and too little video RAM).
Conclusion: if your MBA supports it and you can afford an Apple 27", go for it.
Otherwise, I'd take the nearest Samsung available. But you can check for yourself: take the laptop to a mall and hook it up to different displays...