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M3ssiL3go23

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Feb 2, 2015
9
0
Hi, i'm sure this has probably been asked and answered elsewhere so apologies in advance. I have an old 2011 IMac that i want to keep, and purchase a newer model. Is it possible to run both side by side as dual monitors operated by the same mouse, drag windows from screen to screen etc. Thanks.
 
Hi, i'm sure this has probably been asked and answered elsewhere so apologies in advance. I have an old 2011 IMac that i want to keep, and purchase a newer model. Is it possible to run both side by side as dual monitors operated by the same mouse, drag windows from screen to screen etc. Thanks.

Yes, this is possible. The exact function you need is referred to by Apple as Target Display Mode. You can find out more information about it, and how to set it up, at https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204592. The only additional hardware you will need is a Thunderbolt cable to connect the two iMacs. Please note: This WILL NOT work with just a DisplayPort cable; it has to be a Thunderbolt cable.
 
Thanks for the reply! One quick question from the link in your post, if i'm using a 2013 model as my main monitor and linking it to my older 2011 model, is that going to be possible if the older model hasn't got a thunderbolt port?
 
I thought all of the 2011 models had Thunderbolt ports. It sounds like you have a 2010 model or earlier, not a 2011. In that case, you should use mini DisplayPort to mini DisplayPort cable. Plug the cable into the mDP port on the older iMac and the Thunderbolt port on the newer iMac.
 
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