AnthPerri

Q: Can a new iMac be used as a second display for my Lenovo ThinkPad W540 [or any windows pc]? It has a Thunderbolt port.

I have limited desk space but require two monitors to work efficiently. I am looking to purchase a new iMac and am curious if I could use it as a display for my work PC - a Lenovo ThinkPad W540 - It is Thunderbolt equipped [not mini display-real thunderbolt]. Would this work if I connected the two via Thunderbolt cable?

 

Hoping so, Thanks!

iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10), Windows 7, ThinkPad, Thunderbolt

Posted on Nov 1, 2014 10:40 AM

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Q: Can a new iMac be used as a second display for my Lenovo ThinkPad W540 [or any windows pc]? It has a Thunderbolt port.

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  • by Allan Jones,Solvedanswer

    Allan Jones Allan Jones Nov 1, 2014 10:59 AM in response to AnthPerri
    Level 8 (35,187 points)
    iPad
    Nov 1, 2014 10:59 AM in response to AnthPerri

    Generally it is Apple-to-Apple only. This Apple article may help:

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3924

     

    The other option is screen sharing software:

     

    http://www.screenrecycler.com/ScreenRecycler.html

  • by AnthPerri,

    AnthPerri AnthPerri Nov 1, 2014 11:22 AM in response to Allan Jones
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 1, 2014 11:22 AM in response to Allan Jones

    I thought so. That's too bad.R

    Have you used Screen recycler? Is there any latency?

  • by rkaufmann87,Helpful

    rkaufmann87 rkaufmann87 Nov 1, 2014 12:21 PM in response to AnthPerri
    Level 9 (58,795 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Nov 1, 2014 12:21 PM in response to AnthPerri

    AnthPerri wrote:

     

    I thought so. That's too bad.R

    Have you used Screen recycler? Is there any latency?

    I'd recommend against Screen Recycler, it is extremely old and extremely slow. The reason Target Display Mode will not work with your setup is that PC's don't support video out with their Thunderbolt ports. They're good for data transfer just not set up to do video.

  • by AnthPerri,

    AnthPerri AnthPerri Nov 1, 2014 4:02 PM in response to rkaufmann87
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 1, 2014 4:02 PM in response to rkaufmann87

    Thats what I was thinking.

     

    The Thunderbolt port on the W540 has bee used for video before. I just don't know if it's being handled as thunderbolt video or Mini Display port video.


    So it seems Thunderbolt isn't the requirement, a Mac with Thunderbolt is the requirement.

  • by alexrij,

    alexrij alexrij Apr 9, 2015 7:01 PM in response to AnthPerri
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 9, 2015 7:01 PM in response to AnthPerri

    with a 5 year old iMac and a Thinkpad T440 it works very well inlcluding audio. Both systems have the latest software / drivers.

  • by AnthPerri,

    AnthPerri AnthPerri Apr 9, 2015 7:12 PM in response to alexrij
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 9, 2015 7:12 PM in response to alexrij

    So you are connecting the Thinkpad to an iMac directly through thunderbolt and are getting not only video but also audio? Can you please elaborate on your setup?

     

    What do I need to do to use my iMac as a secondary display for my Thinkpad? Remember it's an 09 iMac.

     

    Thanks!

  • by alexrij,

    alexrij alexrij Apr 10, 2015 8:31 AM in response to AnthPerri
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 10, 2015 8:31 AM in response to AnthPerri

    Hi, in about this iMac you can see the exact version, my iMac is a Mac (27-inch, Late 2009). It is only supported on the 27 inch version not on 21. And it is also not supported on the Retina iMac, too many pixels for the current Thunderbolt version.

     

    My Thinkpad T440 has a standard displayport (compatible with Thunderbolt) and runs Windows 7, I did not install special drivers, just the standard drivers are used. Than I connect a displayport cable and voila. In Windows you can tweak the display settings to use both screens in extended mode, or use only one screen.To start with the savest setting is using iMac only as the screen. With the display button on the T440 keyboard you can select the Projector only button. That's all you need.

     

    If you have an Apple reseller or Apple store near you it will be a good try-out.

  • by Op_8,

    Op_8 Op_8 Jan 12, 2016 9:04 AM in response to alexrij
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 12, 2016 9:04 AM in response to alexrij

    Hello

     

    I have a Lenovo T440p that I am also trying to use the iMac as my external monitor. I have purchased and returned several different display ports, can you tell me what brand you used and provide more details on any settings that you changed. With one of the connectors I can see the option to Display device on:VGA, but the think pad would never appear on the iMac. Would greatly appreciate any feedback!

  • by rkaufmann87,

    rkaufmann87 rkaufmann87 Jan 12, 2016 9:07 AM in response to Op_8
    Level 9 (58,795 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Jan 12, 2016 9:07 AM in response to Op_8


    Op_8,

     

    Please carefully read Use your iMac as a display with Target Display Mode - Apple Support and you wlll see if your iMac is able to support your Lenovo. In short, if your iMac is a late 2009 or 2010 27" model and your Lenovo has a mini-display port then yes the iMac can be used. If not, the answer is a simple no it will not work.

  • by Op_8,

    Op_8 Op_8 Jan 12, 2016 12:08 PM in response to rkaufmann87
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 12, 2016 12:08 PM in response to rkaufmann87

    My iMac is a late 2012 27". The site indicates that (Mid 2012-Mid 2014) a thunderbolt cable is needed, but I am not getting anything to display on the iMac. Are you saying that only the models between 2009 and 2010 27" are compatible with the Thinkpad?

    Screen Shot 2016-01-12 at 2.15.58 PM.png