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Hi
I have a brand new iMac with Retina display desktop. I was told specifically in the store that I could connect my work computer to the desktop and use it as an external display. My work laptop is a Lenovo ThinkPad T470. I have the HDMI adaptor the recommended but it does not result in a mirrored or extended display. Can someone please help? I cannot download anything onto my work laptop.
iMac 27″, macOS 10.15
HannahSolo88 wrote:
Really - it should be able to connect to any laptop with an HDMI cord.
To pile on a little bit here, Target Display mode only ever worked with older DisplayPort and Thunderbolt cables. It never worked with HDMI.
Now you can use screen sharing between these two computers. With modern networking, it should be reasonably fast. I use screen sharing regularly with rental Mac mini in a data centre. The data centre has great networking, but my networking is just middling Teksavvy.
You might also consider a 3rd party product like Duet Display: https://www.duetdisplay.com
It’s been longer than 2 weeks. Work just made it so we can’t remote in so I hadn’t had a chance to test that till now. I am so frustrated at both parties. Really - it should be able to connect to any laptop with an HDMI cord.
HannahSolo88 wrote:
It’s been longer than 2 weeks. Work just made it so we can’t remote in so I hadn’t had a chance to test that till now. I am so frustrated at both parties. Really - it should be able to connect to any laptop with an HDMI cord.
If the Apple salesperson gave you incorrect information, I believe you can make a strong case that that person is the problem and you may get an exception. Don't assume otherwise and talk to the store manager. Print out a copy of the Apple article that Old Toad linked and take it with you.
Really - it should be able to connect to any laptop with an HDMI cord.
TDM was never designed or intended to work that way. The last iMacs that could act as external monitors for another Mac were the Mid 2014 models. It was only officially supported as a Mac-to-Mac function.
By accident some users found a very small sub-set of TDM-capable iMacs would work with PCs. They were 2009 and 2010 27-inchers. However, Apple never documented or supported that use of iMacs. That's like finding out a Ford engine will fit in a Mazda. Neither company will support that happy accident.
We saw only about one or two TDM questions a month before COVID, and Apple had already completed TDM's deprecation before the pandemic hit. Now with the pandemic we see 6-12 posts a day about a dead feature. Someone with very little brain must be spreading rumors about TDM as ludicrous as those about drinking bleach.
Please please talk to the manager. I have reported this to our Hosts in hopes they can pass this situation up the line
No. These are the requirements for Target Display Mode: Use your iMac as a display with target display mode - Apple Support
What store told you that?
It was the Guildford store in Surrey, BC Canada. I was clear I’d be hooking up a PC to my iMac. It sounds like I just wasted $3k because of a store employees advice.
You can return a Mac for a refund within 14 days.
Thank you for your help. I appreciate it.
connect thinkpad to mac desktop
