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Mac mini as an upgrade for an older iMac

I have a 2012 27-inch iMac. Running High Sierra 10.13.6. In lieu of buying a new iMac could I buy a mac mini instead and just use my current iMac's display and my wireless keyboard and mouse to effectively upgrade?

Posted on Jan 29, 2021 2:18 PM

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Posted on Jan 29, 2021 10:40 PM

You can't use your iMac as a display for a 2020 Mac.


Use your iMac as a display with target display mode - Apple Support

"You can connect any of these older iMac models to another Mac from 2019 or earlier for use as an external display."

2 replies

Jan 29, 2021 2:42 PM in response to Birkcran

Yes its a good idea to re-use the iMac display in Target Display Mode.


The only caveat is that newer Mac Minis don't support target display mode.

I believe you can re-use your 2012 iMac but you have to run an older OS.


I have used it successfully on an older Mac Mini (2012).


I think newer Minis with USB-C (TB3) may not work with TDM.


For my M1 Mini (2020), I use the 27" Apple Thunderbolt display with the TB3-TB2 adapter.

Will not work with your iMac though....

Mac mini as an upgrade for an older iMac

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