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Additional monitor for iMac

I want to be able to use an older LCD monitor as a second monitor with my iMac.

1.. Is this possible?
2.. The monitor I have only uses a parallel connection into the monitor. Does anyone know how to convert the end that currently plugs into my old PC from a parallel to what seems to need to plug in to the rear of my iMac?

iMac, Mac OS X (10.5.4)

Posted on Oct 15, 2009 10:52 AM

Reply
4 replies

Oct 15, 2009 11:22 AM in response to pstoll

pstoll wrote:
I want to be able to use an older LCD monitor as a second monitor with my iMac.

1.. Is this possible?


It could be. You don't identify your specific model of iMac.

2.. The monitor I have only uses a parallel connection into the monitor.


Do you really mean the old PC-style parallel connection, either DB-25 or Centronics style?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallel_port

I'm not aware of any LCD monitors that have a parallel port as their primary connection. More likely what it has is a VGA connector:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VGA_connector

Your iMac may have come with the proper adapter. If not, the particular part you need depends on the model of your iMac.

Oct 15, 2009 11:43 AM in response to pstoll

The cable my old monitor uses has 15 pins on either end and
Here is the data for my iMac 24":

Model Name: iMac
Model Identifier: iMac8,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.8 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 6 MB
Memory: 2 GB
Bus Speed: 1.07 GHz
Boot ROM Version: IM81.00C1.B00
SMC Version (system): 1.30f1
Serial Number (system): YM82278AZE4
Hardware UUID: 147254FD-218C-5827-AB57-5568F3D21097

Oct 15, 2009 3:17 PM in response to pstoll

Your iMac is an Early 2008 iMac. According to the specs
<http://support.apple.com/kb/SP485>
it has a mini-DVI output port with support for DVI, VGA, S-video, and composite video connections via adapter.

What you described above sounds like a VGA cable, so you woudl get a mini-DVI to VGA adaptor, such as the following:
<http://store.apple.com/us/product/M9320G/A?fnode=MTY1NDA3Ng&mco=MTA4NDU0OTc>

Of course I am only going by the descriptions you are giving. If I accessed the wrong iMac specifications, or if I guessed wrong at the LCD cable you are using, then the adaptor could be wrong as well.

Your mileage may vary. Objects are closer than they appear in the side view mirror.

Additional monitor for iMac

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