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User profile for user: aine161
aine161 Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Is it possible to use a 2008 iMac as an extended display for a 2013 iMac?

I use my 2013 iMac to work from home. I have a fully functioning iMac from 2008 which I want to use as a second screen/extended display. I've looked up lots of instructions/tips online but am finding it hard to understand what I need to do to set it up - if it's even possible at all due to the age of the machines. Tech support wasn't really able to help due to the age of the older iMac.


I tried an ethernet cable connecting the two, but nothing happens despite me following instructions I found on several sites.


Would anyone be able to confirm if this is possible to do, given the age of the models, and, if so, what cables I need (in simple terms!)?


The 2013 iMac has:

  • four USB 3 ports
  • two Thunderbolt ports
  • one Mini DisplayPort
  • one ethernet port


The 2008 iMac has:

  • three USB 2 ports
  • two FireWire ports
  • one Mini-DVI video out port
  • one ethernet port

iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Oct 19, 2020 10:21 AM

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User profile for user: John Galt
John Galt
User level: Level 10
146,078 points

Oct 19, 2020 11:34 AM in response to aine161

Not according to Use your iMac as a display with target display mode.


There are hardware and software requirements: "Make sure that your iMac is using macOS High Sierra 10.13.6 or earlier. You can't use target display mode with later versions of macOS, or with Boot Camp and Windows."


There have been anecdotal reports of iMacs that work regardless of those requirements. Obviously they should be regarded as nothing more than that.


An Ethernet cable would never work. A display requires a port capable of video input, which you wrote your 2008 iMac doesn't have.

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Is it possible to use a 2008 iMac as an extended display for a 2013 iMac?

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