the usage of iMac Mid 2011 27" screen

Question

the usage of iMac Mid 2011 27" screen

There are lots of new computer with Thunderbolt 3 port. I am wondering...

Could I use iMac (Mid 2011 + mac OS high Sierra) target display mode to display the screen from another computer?

by using:

A Windows-10 computer with thunderbolt 3 port
A thunderbolt 2 to thunderbolt 3 translator (in Apple store)
iMac Mid 2011 with mac OS high Sierra 10.13.6
Thunderbolt 2 or 3 male to male wire (in Apple store)

And connect as:

A. Notebook thunderbolt3 port ---> thunderbolt3 wire --> thunderbolt3-2 translator --> iMac thunderbolt2 port

B. Notebook thunderbolt3 port ---> thunderbolt3-2 translator --> thunderbolt2 wire --> iMac thunderbolt2 port

Also, what else could I do with this 9 years old computer but 2K 27" display? After all, it's still an excellent display in now days. It could be a waste to drop it.

iMac 27", macOS 10.13

Posted on Feb 29, 2020 7:56 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

rkaufmann87

Level 10

144,108 points

Mar 1, 2020 9:57 AM in response to Zahilla

Kappy is 100% correct. On a 2009 -2010 27" that was true Target Display Mode would support PCs, on later iMacs support for all PCs was dropped. The 2009 & 2010 iMacs had Mini Display ports, those were dropped in 2011and the 2011's going forward had Thunderbolt ports.

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Answer 2

Kappy

Level 10

361,855 points

Feb 29, 2020 8:25 PM in response to brucefromtaichung

It can only be used with Apple computers. Windows does not support Target Display Mode. See Use your iMac as a display with Target Display Mode - Apple Support, Target Display Mode 2011 & Later iMacsTarget Display Mode 2011 & Later iMacs, and Target Display Mode- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

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Answer 3

rkaufmann87

Level 10

144,108 points

Mar 1, 2020 10:06 AM in response to Zahilla

Apple did not share why the don't support PCs with me so you would need to ask them :-). IMHO Target Display Mode was problematic. iMacs are computers and are not designed as external displays for other devices, IMHO if someone wants or needs an external display for their PC or Mac or what ever they should buy one. Of course that is just my opinion and I understand you see it differently.

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Answer 4

Mar 1, 2020 9:49 PM in response to rkaufmann87

Same as Zahilla tells, I either cant tell why Apply close display port feature of Thunderbolt to share screen from other PCs. I did

some survey about thunderbolt port of iMac Mid 2011:

Just like all you tells, iMac cannot work as a screen, esp. after removing display port (in Mid 2011). But for those iMac with display port, they can share screen from Windows by using AT-HD620 ($150USD) in 1080P (It's not my personal experience.) AT-HD620 works like a screen Switcher which is HDMI input and Display Port output, not just a cable or translator. Maybe there are similar solution in "HDMI input Thunderbolt ouput", but it could be expensive than a new screen. So I give up this survey.

In my opinion:

Maybe I should not buy iMac in the very first, if we dont want waste an 27" screen in the end. I think using Mac mini together with some other screen would be better. I will buy a new screen (also a larger desk :D).

Thanks for all your time replying this loop. Have a nice day.

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