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Hi everyone!
I have an old mid 2010 27-inch iMac (macOS High Sierra 10.13.6, cannot be upgraded anymore) with a Mini DisplayPort. On the other hand, I have a Windows laptop (Lenevo IdeaPad 710S Plus) with a USB Type-C DisplayPort.
I'd like to use my iMac as an external monitor of my Windows laptop, is that possible only with this cable please? If not, what kind of cable(s) can I buy for this purpose?
Thank you so much for your help!
Hello, celine994.
Here are the rules for Target Display mode on iMac:
click> Use your iMac as a display with target display mode - Apple Support
Target display mode is a feature that was available only with certain older iMac models.
Only the following older iMac models can be used as an external display when plugged into another older Mac model:
Not sure if that can be done from a Windows PC at all.
You should remember that the iMac is a computer. It really was not designed to be just a monitor.
Good luck and happy hunting, though.
Hello, celine994.
Here are the rules for Target Display mode on iMac:
click> Use your iMac as a display with target display mode - Apple Support
Target display mode is a feature that was available only with certain older iMac models.
Only the following older iMac models can be used as an external display when plugged into another older Mac model:
Not sure if that can be done from a Windows PC at all.
You should remember that the iMac is a computer. It really was not designed to be just a monitor.
Good luck and happy hunting, though.
Welcome to Apple Support Communities.
There is a very small chance it will work right if at all. Granted, these 2009/2010 iMac models could maybe have the function you want, but it is cumbersome to use and often doesn't work right if at all.
I would simply buy an external display. It is far more reliable than this solution, and it always works.
-Jack
Although the 2010 iMac 27" was part of a very limited set of iMacs that could be an external monitor for another Mac, Apple never intended it to be compatible with non-Apple devices. Some people have been "accidentally" able to make this work using 2009 and 2010 27" iMacs on older Windows notebooks with MiniDisplay ports, but it may well not to a newer one with USB-C.
So, for the cost of the needed cables and adapters for an experiment that may fail, you can buy a really nice external monitor. It will be easier to set up, allow an extended desktop, and use far less energy than a second computer running at full tilt. The iMac has to be fully powered and the 2010 models did not exactly sip energy (265W while working).
Thank you very much for your quick and kind replies! I know you are all right, but as my iMac monitor is still working quite well, I thought I could still continue to use it as an external monitor... Well, I'll consider your advice, once again thanks a lot!
+1 to this. 👍🏽
Allan J. brings up a good point that since you're using USB-C, a modern technology, it has even less chance of working.
Good luck!
-Jack
Mid 2010 27-inch iMac as an external monitor
