Using MacBook Air (Mid 2012) as Secondary Display?

[184550]

I have noted the many threads that ask whether or not a MBA can be connected to an iMac, however I'd like to do the opposite and none of those threads seemed to conclusively answer the question.

I have an iMac (Mid 2011) and I'd like to use my MacBook Air (Mid 2012) as a secondary display.

I am correct in thinking that I could just get a Thunderbolt cable and connect the two? Or is there some special step I'm leaving out?

 

[Intell]

Only the iMac can act as a display.

 

[184550]

That's what I was afraid of given the numerous threads on that topic. One way street.

Damn, oh well.

 

[GGJstudios]

Only the iMac can be used in Target Display mode:

OS X Lion: Use another Mac as a display
iMac (Mid 2011): Target Display Mode does not work with Mini DisplayPort cable

 

[technopimp]

Unless I'm mistaken, target display mode only works on an iMac.

 

[simsaladimbamba]

You could use Air Display, I use it with my 2009 MBP and a 2007 iMac as secondary display via a Gigabit Ethernet connection.

 

[jbzcar]

You could use Air Display, I use it with my 2009 MBP and a 2007 iMac as secondary display via a Gigabit Ethernet connection.

ScreenRecycler is another option.

http://www.screenrecycler.com/ScreenRecycler.html