'Trashcan' to iMac...

[beagmcd]

Hiya! I'm a forum newbie, and getting to be an 'old' lady (I'm 70 next month) so please be kind

I own:

• A late 2013 'Trashcan' Mac Pro, 64Gb RAM, which is used for running my domestic AI system (using Ollama). It has been OCLP'd and runs Sequoia quite nicely, thangyuverymuch.
• An early 2009 iMac, very nice 24" screen, 8Gb RAM, which also has been OCLP'd and runs Monterey.

What I'd like to do is use the iMac screen as a monitor for the Trashcan. They sit next to each other, and screen sharing via wifi does work (much to my surprise), but I'm wondering if there's a better solution with a little less lag?

• The Trashcan has 6 T'bolt 2 ports, 4 USB type A ports (USB 3?) and an HDMI port, plus ethernet
• The iMac has 4 USB 2 type A ports, a mini display port, and a Firewire 800 port, and ethernet of course.

Any thoughts on cabling/adaptors that could connect the two and get an image on the iMac of the Trashcan's desktop? (NB: without me having to do surgery on either machine).

Thanks for any advice .

Bea Groves-McDaniel (NE England, UK)

 

[TSE]

Hello Bea.

You are not old. You have about 31 more years left in you. Maybe more. So enjoy and be happy!

According to this article, you can do it with a Mini DisplayPort Cable and a 24 inch iMac from 2009/2010: https://support.apple.com/en-us/105126

But please note, I don't have much experience with the iMac and using it as a display. Maybe someone who does can chime in and double confirm.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

I agree with @TSE that it should work with a miniDP to miniDP cable (NOT a Thunderbolt cable!)

That said, I don’t recommend it. A dedicated display will run quieter & cooler, and usually have higher resolution. And the cost is minimal.

 

[EugW]

Hello Bea.

You are not old. You have about 31 more years left in you. Maybe more. So enjoy and be happy!

According to this article, you can do it with a Mini DisplayPort Cable and a 24 inch iMac from 2009/2010: https://support.apple.com/en-us/105126

But please note, I don't have much experience with the iMac and using it as a display. Maybe someone who does can chime in and double confirm.

AFAIK, that Apple support page is likely wrong. IIRC, Target Display Mode has never been supported with any 24" iMacs, only the 27" models. TDM was never originally mentioned for the 24" models, as it was introduced with the 27" models, and I haven't seen anyone here ever confirm a 24" model working.

Nonetheless, Apple claims it will work so I suppose @beagmcd could try it as the cable is cheap, but I'm not optimistic.

 

[TSE]

AFAIK, that Apple support page is likely wrong. IIRC, Target Display Mode has never been supported with any 24" iMacs, only the 27" models. TDM was never originally mentioned for the 24" models, as it was introduced with the 27" models, and I haven't seen anyone here ever confirm a 24" model working.

Nonetheless, Apple claims it will work so I suppose @beagmcd could try it as the cable is cheap, but I'm not optimistic.

That would be wild for Apple to make a mistake like that if true, and OP would be of huge service to others if she confirmed it working or not.

 

[EugW]

That would be wild for Apple to make a mistake like that if true, and OP would be of huge service to others if she confirmed it working or not.

IIRC, earlier versions of that support page did not include the 24" iMac. It got added later for some reason. Also, if you check the official specs, they are different than what that support page suggests.

iMac (Early 2009) - Technical Specifications

Mini DisplayPort output port with support for DVI, VGA, and dual-link DVI via adapter4

Video
Built-in iSight camera; Mini DisplayPort output with support for DVI, dual-link DVI, and VGA video connections via adapter4

4. Adapters are sold separately.

iMac (27-inch, Late 2009) - Technical Specifications

Mini DisplayPort output port 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).

 

[EugW]

"An early 2009 iMac, very nice 24" screen, 8Gb RAM, which also has been OCLP'd and runs Monterey.

Oh, I missed this part. I don't know if even the TDM-supported 2009-2010 iMacs with mini-DisplayPort input can run Target Display Mode when on OCLP'd Monterey. They're supposed to be on High Sierra or earlier. Not sure though.

P.S. Another option might just be to find a cheap 23" Apple Cinema HD Display. I bought one for CA$100 (~£55) a few years ago. Mind you, for that price, you can buy a brand new 2025 24" monitor.

 

[StoneJack]

Hiya! I'm a forum newbie, and getting to be an 'old' lady (I'm 70 next month) so please be kind

I own:

• A late 2013 'Trashcan' Mac Pro, 64Gb RAM, which is used for running my domestic AI system (using Ollama). It has been OCLP'd and runs Sequoia quite nicely, thangyuverymuch.
• An early 2009 iMac, very nice 24" screen, 8Gb RAM, which also has been OCLP'd and runs Monterey.

What I'd like to do is use the iMac screen as a monitor for the Trashcan. They sit next to each other, and screen sharing via wifi does work (much to my surprise), but I'm wondering if there's a better solution with a little less lag?

• The Trashcan has 6 T'bolt 2 ports, 4 USB type A ports (USB 3?) and an HDMI port, plus ethernet
• The iMac has 4 USB 2 type A ports, a mini display port, and a Firewire 800 port, and ethernet of course.

Any thoughts on cabling/adaptors that could connect the two and get an image on the iMac of the Trashcan's desktop? (NB: without me having to do surgery on either machine).

Thanks for any advice .

Bea Groves-McDaniel (NE England, UK)

Simplicity is a best thing. Just buy a normal display (they are not expensive) and sell iMac.