You can use the iMac target display in either mirror or non-mirror mode. For example, a 2009 or later Mac Pro with DisplayPort (out) can connect to the 20 27-inch iMacs with a Mini DisplayPort cable. Real world: 2014 13-inch MBA connected to mid 2010 27-inch iMac with mirroring.Ĭable: Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort.Īlso, note that the source computer doesn't have to be a MacBook. When I used a Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort cable, it worked perfectly. Thinking that ThunderBolt is a superset of DisplayPort, I tried connecting a 2014 13-inch MBA to a Mid 2010 iMac with a ThunderBolt cable, and it didn't work. Note how specific Apple is about the cable. Here's Apple's summary chart.įollow this chart exactly. Curiously, it does not include an updated reference to 2013 iMacs, but this review at TechCrunch suggests that 2013 iMacs are supported. (See below.)Īpple's knowledge base article was updated to reflect that the 2014 Retina 5K 27-inch iMac does not support TDM. Required Source Mac: Any Mac with DisplayPort or ThunderBolt port. Required Target iMacs: Mid 2011, Mid 2012.

Required Target 27-inch iMacs: Late 2009, Mid 2010.

Then press CMD + F2 on the target iMac to switch its display to the source Mac. To activate TDM, have both computers running, not sleeping, and connect the required cable to each Mac. With the right cable, you can connect the MacBook Air to the iMac and use that iMac as either a second display or a mirrored display, giving you a lot more room to work. At home you have one of the qualifying iMacs (see the table below).

Let's say you have a MacBook Air with a small display that you use for travel. The applicable document here is: ' Target Display Mode: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).' That Apple document goes into great detail, so I won't repeat it here. However, specific hardware and cables are required. It's not well known, but, for example, a MacBook Pro/Air can connect to and drive a 27-inch iMac display either as an additional display or mirror mode using what's called Target Display Mode (TDM).

5k monitor for mac pro 2013