roroco1
Level 1 (4 points)
Notebooks

Q: Is it possible to use an iMac as a monitor for a MacAir laptop?

I have an early 2008 24" iMac and am considering purchasing a new Macbook Air or Macbook Pro. IS it simple and possible to use the iMac as a monitor for the laptop?

iMac (24-inch Early 2008), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Apr 12, 2016 9:19 AM

by VikingOSX,Apple recommended
VikingOSX VikingOSX
Level 7 (20,889 points)
Mac OS X
A:

You iMac does not meet the hardware requirements for Target Display Mode.

 

Niel's response is correct regarding VNC.

 

You run the Screen Sharing Application (System : Library : CoreServices : Applications : Screen Sharing) on the iMac (you will need to refer to your MacBook Air by its computer name.local to make the connection. You enable System Preferences : Sharing Panel : Screen Sharing on the MBA. You remember to disable this before you connect to any unsecure public network, because your MBA will show up as advertising Shared services on all other Macs on the same Wi-Fi cloud.

 

A helpful Apple article on screen sharing.

Posted on Apr 12, 2016 1:04 PM

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roroco1

Q: Is it possible to use an iMac as a monitor for a MacAir laptop?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Niel,

    Niel Niel Apr 12, 2016 9:22 AM in response to roroco1
    Level 10 (312,806 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 12, 2016 9:22 AM in response to roroco1

    Only by setting up Virtual Network Computing.

     

    (141464)

  • by VikingOSX,Apple recommended

    VikingOSX VikingOSX Apr 12, 2016 1:04 PM in response to roroco1
    Level 7 (20,889 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 12, 2016 1:04 PM in response to roroco1

    You iMac does not meet the hardware requirements for Target Display Mode.

     

    Niel's response is correct regarding VNC.

     

    You run the Screen Sharing Application (System : Library : CoreServices : Applications : Screen Sharing) on the iMac (you will need to refer to your MacBook Air by its computer name.local to make the connection. You enable System Preferences : Sharing Panel : Screen Sharing on the MBA. You remember to disable this before you connect to any unsecure public network, because your MBA will show up as advertising Shared services on all other Macs on the same Wi-Fi cloud.

     

    A helpful Apple article on screen sharing.