Using a mid-2010 21.5" iMac as a monitor?

[colourmebad]

Just got myself a fully-specced out 13" Macbook Pro retina, which is the smallest Macbook I've ever had, but I'm keen to have the portability that the 13" offers.

I do a fair bit of design though, so it's not ideal on that front, and I'd love to be able to use my old iMac as a monitor for my new Macbook Pro.

A bit of research suggests that this is only possible with thunderbolt equipped iMacs, or is there a workaround? I did find one site that describes using Target Display Mode and the Mini DV port... Can anyone confirm here whether there is definitely a way of doing this?

Many thanks.

 

[colourmebad]

No-one!?

 

[cypriot]

Forum is a bit slow on weekends.

 

[colourmebad]

Ah, okay, thanks cypriot. Fingers crossed someone will be able to help tomorrow

 

[Kyle-K]

Unfortunately, the 21.5 iMac's from 2010 do not support Target Display Mode. See the Apple Website Support Article Here

Target Display Mode is only supported on 21.5 iMac's from 2011 onwards.

 

[colourmebad]

Thanks for this.

I'm still intrigued though, that link suggests that 21.5" macs from 2010 DO support mini displayport to mini displayport.

Unless I misunderstand - mini displayport cables fit thunderbolt interfaces and carry the same data across the right pins..?

Or if I have misunderstood and that's not correct, can I not just run a USB to minidisplayport adaptor from the USB output?

Thanks again.

 

[rkaufmann87]

Thanks for this.

I'm still intrigued though, that link suggests that 21.5" macs from 2010 DO support mini displayport to mini displayport.

Unless I misunderstand - mini displayport cables fit thunderbolt interfaces and carry the same data across the right pins..?

Or if I have misunderstood and that's not correct, can I not just run a USB to minidisplayport adaptor from the USB output?

Thanks again.

Unfortunately the ONLY 2009 & 2010 iMacs that supported Target Display Mode are the 27" models. In short, nope it won't work any way you try to connect using hardware. The only solution is a software solution called ScreenRecycler, you can try it but the performance is reputed to be poor.