iMac as monitor only

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Denisetapp Author

Level 1

8 points

iMac as monitor only

Can I use a 2014 iMac with a bad hard drive just as a monitor with my new iMac I just bought (2020)?

iMac 21.5″, 10.15

Posted on Jan 25, 2021 8:24 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

avanspro

Level 2

163 points

Jan 25, 2021 11:21 AM in response to Denisetapp

This link may help you out. The iMac for the display must be able to start up and be 2011-mid 2014.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204592

The main computer must be 2019 and earlier.

Best to replace the HD in the old iMac with an SSD and then you have an extra iMac :)

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Answer 2

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,494 points

Jan 25, 2021 8:57 AM in response to Denisetapp

In addition, even if the 2014 was 100% functional it would not work with a 2020 iMac. Your 2020 needs an external display if you need an external display. The good news is they have come down in price and you get one with the same resolution as your 2014 for about $120-130.

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Answer 3

VikingOSX

Level 10

123,470 points

Jan 25, 2021 8:46 AM in response to Denisetapp

No. An iMac is a computer, not a dumb display, and there is no means to just connect the two and have the 2014 iMac now pretend otherwise.

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Answer 4

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,494 points

Jan 25, 2021 9:14 AM in response to Denisetapp

Heavens no! Any external display will work, if you have a Costco in your area, they have a pretty good selection. You will need a USB C to Whatever adapter. The Whatever is the input the new display has, for example many external displays use HDMI. So you would need a USB C to HDMI adapter. One like:

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/HKQ22ZM/A/belkin-usb-c-to-hdmi-adapter?fnode=9bc477b9859729247f83bd5abbb75c3bb19d2aad196fea93d99787599beef08b318b0fe869857af0737ff2b6683b9ed8ed37f22270f9f4b70cb16e47c9f7c3917bd27ffe7090dc46c5d26c4db028ef66aa310ffe1db12f0ffa6c2a61b86435c5

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