EthanP.
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Can I use my PPC iMac as a monitor for the Mac mini?

I have an old iMac g4 PPC (basically obsolete).

 

I'm thinking about buying a Mac Mini.

Can I hook up the Mac Mini to the iMac and use the iMac JUST as a monitor?

 

If so, do I have to uninstall the OS on the iMac? So I need any special cables? Are they even compatible?

 

 

Note: I will NOT be buying a new Mac mini, it would be an older model off Ebay, I only have about $200 to spend. But I want it to AT LEAST run Mac OS X snow leopard or higher. What year of Mac mini would that be?

Mac mini

Posted on Jan 18, 2014 10:27 AM

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EthanP.

Q: Can I use my PPC iMac as a monitor for the Mac mini?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Niel,

    Niel Niel Jan 18, 2014 10:29 AM in response to EthanP.
    Level 10 (312,055 points)
    Jan 18, 2014 10:29 AM in response to EthanP.

    1. Only by using a product such as ScreenRecycler. All of these products require a standalone monitor for the Mac mini.

    2. Any Mac mini with an Intel CPU.

     

    (98158)

  • by Blackbird2232,

    Blackbird2232 Blackbird2232 Jan 19, 2014 8:43 AM in response to EthanP.
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 19, 2014 8:43 AM in response to EthanP.

    No, because iMac is an all-in-one computer

    You have to buy a thunder bolt display, or somthing in the same category.

  • by a brody,

    a brody a brody Jan 22, 2014 1:25 PM in response to Blackbird2232
    Level 9 (66,781 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Jan 22, 2014 1:25 PM in response to Blackbird2232

    PPC iMacs don't have Thunderbolt connectors.

     

    The iMac G4 can take a Firewire DV video adapter such as Elgato's EyeTV 200, but they will only display the Mini's content at 720 x 480 resolution.    Unfortunately the G4 only has a mini-VGA output connector, it can't do much more with that.  

     

    Newer iMacs have these options:

     

    https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-6351

  • by MlchaelLAX,

    MlchaelLAX MlchaelLAX Jan 23, 2014 11:24 AM in response to EthanP.
    Level 4 (2,256 points)
    Jan 23, 2014 11:24 AM in response to EthanP.

    I used to use my iMac G5 to access a "headless" Mac Mini.  This was a long time ago, so I hope I remember this correctly.

     

    Actually mine was an early generation Intel Mac Mini whose video circuitry went bad after its Applecare expired, so the owner purchased a new Mac Mini and gave it to me for experimentation.

     

    You would need access to a monitor for initial setup.  Upgrade its version of OS X to the best possible updates.   Give it a fixed IP accessible on your home network to your iMac G4 and turn on Screen Sharing.

     

    Once you know it works, shut it down and remove the monitor.  Reboot.  You may have to install the Video out to Composite Video adapter that Apple used to include with these Mac Minis.

     

    You can then use the iMac G4 to run this Mac Mini by remote Screen Sharing.

     

    Alternatively, if you do not have access to borrow a monitor, you could boot into the Mac Mini while holding down the T key for Target Disk mode.  Connect the Mac Mini to your iMac G4 (while it is shut down) by firewire.  Boot the iMac G4 while holding down Option to get the Startup Manager and then boot into the Mac Mini. 

     

    Make all your necessary settings changes, shut down, disconnect and reboot each.