Using iMac as a Windows dual screen

[Mcbane17]

Hi all,

I'd like some advice please. I've been told that you can use an iMac as a second screen for a Windows laptop.

First of all is this possible?

I've tried using a VGA to thunderbolt adapter and nothing's worked. I've then tried an HDMI to thunderbolt cable, Command-F2, various options and settings. Different Macs have been tried as have different Windows laptops but nothing displays.


I'm aware it would be easier to get a standard monitor and use that but the person I'm asking and testing on behalf of is adamant this can be done.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Glmnet1]

What year was your iMac released? They removed that feature in the iMac when they released the retina display.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

Only a very few select machines had this capability from 2009 to 2012 you will need to use a mini display port input in the thunderbolt port or a DVi on any older than 2011, as far as I can tell, any newer and it will only work with apple computers and the 5K doesn't work at all due to the proprietry controller apple devised as there were no available 5K controllers.

 

[vkd]

Nutshell: It won't work. You can connect an iMac to ... another Mac! That's all. Both in the software and hardware connection Apple have tied it up so you simply can't do it. Its that ol' flavoursome, closed Apple ecosystem rearing its beautiful (or ugly, depending on your viewpoint) head again.