Use iMac screen for 2020 M1 Mac mini?

Ok, sorry to be stupid..... I just want to use the iMac screen as the sole display, to browse, watch movies, email, etc. I don't know if my iMac does screen sharing (2011) but if it does, is there a lag? Would it be annoying when streaming or browsing?

Ooh...can you explain further? What HDMI to USB device are you using? You're going from HDMI on the M1 to USB on the iMac? I have USB 2.0 bus....would that matter? And you're not using Target Mode or you are?

He says the iMac needs Thunderbolt 2, mine is "1". Oh, well. Also screen sharing requires a second screen at least at setup to turn on sharing on the mac mini - something I don't have. I've just decided to go M1 Mac Mini and 1080p display, but I'll wait until I hear the bluetooth issues with the Mini have been resolved. Hoping end of March to replace my iMac with this setup. With the M1, then upgrading my screen to 4k or 5k when prices start to drop will work just fine.

The whole point of the mini is to access the power of the M1 chip - which looks as though it will considerably outperform my late-2014 iMac.

So to ask if I can continue to use my splendid iMac is a perfectly rational question

pete

Since you guys were so helpful in getting me to understand I can't use my iMac 2011 display with a a new M1 Mac Mini, I have another question. Does the M1 handle scaliing so that 1080p video/Netflix would look good on a 4k monitor? Most of what I watch is in 1080p format, but I'd like to get something a little future-proof. If the answer is "no", then how would it work with a QHD monitor (1440)? I'm not gaming, looking at 27". Considering the Dell U2719DX at Costco if I don't go 4k. I'm just worried from some things I've read that running 1080p on 4k displays can look really awful.

It's not just a matter of getting a monitor -- you need speakers and a webcam. I just bought a Mac Mini thinking I could also add a monitor, but it's not that easy to get a monitor with webcam and speakers that's compatible. Plus, there's all those wires everywhere. I am going to return everything and get a new iMac instead.

Adding speakers is really easy. The mini has a jack and most monitors do as well. If you want to control the speakers from your keyboard though you probably will want to connect to the Mini. As for webcam, a quick google brought up a dozen blogs with recommended units for Mac Mini M1. You can go bluetooth with everything to get rid of the wires.

you may want to look at this mac compatible display for your mac mini which is on amazon and pretty cheap. they also have many other options available for nowhere near 5 grand.

that's a good point dialabrain. but, just to add, they could hardwire the mini to a large tv even if it doesn't have airplay. my iMac is mirrored on my 51" tv that has no airplay.

Indeed. However, My TV is in our living room which has too many cables as it is. :)

lol. my iMac used up my last HDMI port on my tv.

Charlievarley66 wrote:

Unfortunately target display mode is not no longer a thing. All new Macs will no longer be able to use it.

Yes I know. That's what I said. :)

Thought I was replying to SomeoneHasToSayIt.

Oops!

It happens. 😎

did you get this to work? I have exact same setup M1 to 2011 iMac