Adaptor and Cables need for using iMac 27(2012) as a external monitor for iMac 27 Pro

Hi Guys,

I want to use my old iMac 27 (2012) as a external monitor with my iMac 27 Pro (2017). What adaptor/cables do I need?

Secondly, I was previously using an HP27 monitor with a HDMI input successfully with the iMac 27 (2012) via a thunderbolt 2 to HMDI cable worked fine. Can I use the apple thunderbolt(USBC) to Thunderbolt 2 adaptor together with the thunderbolt 2 to HMDI cable to connect the iMac Pro with the HP monitor?


Thankz in advance!


[Re-Titled By Moderator]

iMac Pro (2017)

Posted on Jan 22, 2025 8:44 PM

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Jan 23, 2025 11:32 AM in response to aseefo

Carefully note the macOS restrictions on Target Display Mode in the article kaz-k linked:



The HP is the far better option. TDM is dead tech and was a bit of a pain to set up. You may have fewer display options with the iMac than with the HP. When I tested TDM using a 2010 iMac 27 as the monitor for a 2012 Macbook Pro ( both were TDM-capable), I could only mirror the Macbook Pro display on the iMac, not extend it which was what I really needed.


Apple started the deprecation of TDM in late 2014 and threw the last shovel of dirt in its face five years ago.


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Jan 30, 2025 7:12 PM in response to aseefo

The iMac Pro(2017) can run anything from macOS 10.13.2 (High Sierra) to macOS 15.* (Sequoia). If you hold it back to Catalina or earlier just so that you can use the 27" 2012 iMac as a monitor, that would be a bit of a waste.


It would be better to take the $80+ USD you would have spent on Thunderbolt connection hardware ($50 Apple Thunderbolt 3-to-2 adapter plus $30+ Thunderbolt 1/2 cable), and put that towards the purchase of a real 27" 2560x1440 (2.5K) or 3840x2160 (4K) monitor. You can get some 27" 4K monitors with IPS panels and 100% or near-100% coverage of sRGB for as little as $300 – $350 USD.

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Adaptor and Cables need for using iMac 27(2012) as a external monitor for iMac 27 Pro

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