Windows Laptop on iMac 2011 screen

[sytrusze]

Hey guys,

I have a 2011 iMac, which I love. Now I want to purchase a windows laptop and use the iMac as the monitor with a converter. What would be ideal is, if I could run both mac and windows at the same time and switch screens with a button. So if I need something on my windows laptop, I can just switch the iMac screen to windows and vica versa. Is this possible and do I need some additional stuff to make this happen?

Thanks in advance.

 

[admwright]

Just use your iMac as a Mac and use remote desktop to access the windows laptop.

 

[vkd]

You can't hook up non-Apple h/w to Thunderbolt Apple h/w. I too have 2011 iMac w/ Thundershite and found out this to my severe disappointment.

 

[sytrusze]

You can't hook up non-Apple h/w to Thunderbolt Apple h/w. I too have 2011 iMac w/ Thundershite and found out this to my severe disappointment.

Is this true? That would be a bummer and meaning I'd have to sell my beloved iMac

 

[sytrusze]

Just use your iMac as a Mac and use remote desktop to access the windows laptop.

Wouldn't be an option due to the latency Remote Desktop has unfortunately, but thanks for thinking with me.

 

[glenthompson]

Why not just run Indows in a virtual machine on the iMac?

 

[sytrusze]

Why not just run Indows in a virtual machine on the iMac?

That's OK when using apps like Notepad, but Photoshop/After Effects is not do-able on a VM.

 

[Altemose]

That's OK when using apps like Notepad, but Photoshop/After Effects is not do-able on a VM.

Photoshop and the entire Adobe suite is available in native Mac applications. VNC is quite quick and reliable provided it is properly configured and over a strong network.

 

[vkd]

That's OK when using apps like Notepad, but Photoshop/After Effects is not do-able on a VM.

Using either Parallels or Fusion on my mid-2011 27" iMac, I have played Assassin's Creed II, Brotherhood, Revolution, Dead Space, Tomb Raider Legend, Anniversary, Underworld, and many more games with great graphics and no noticeable lag.