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User profile for user: conno1td
conno1td Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

thunderbolt cable

The display on my late-2012 build 27” iMac has died — computer still turns on but that’s all. Apple no longer supports/provides replacement parts and I’m not interested in trying to find 3rd-party repair.


I have a MacBook Pro (2015 build) and a new 24” iMac (M1, 2021). I would like to use either of these as an external display so I can erase the fusion drive of the 27” iMac. I am having trouble determining which Thunderbolt-to-Thunderbolt cable to use. I think the 2012 iMac and the 2015 MacBook use the same Thunderbolt port shape; I know the 2021 iMac's Thunderbolt port is not compatible.


Any suggestions about cable type and sources much appreciated.


Tim

Posted on Oct 3, 2021 7:13 AM

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User profile for user: den.thed
den.thed
User level: Level 10
83,230 points

Posted on Oct 3, 2021 7:41 AM

That won't work, because neither of those Mac's (the 2015 MacBook or the M1 iMac) support Target Display Mode.

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


Your best bet, is to try to access the 2012 iMac's drive in Target Disk Mode using a TB 2 cable from the MacBook.

see > https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/transfer-files-mac-computers-target-disk-mode-mchlp1443/mac


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User profile for user: den.thed
den.thed
User level: Level 10
83,230 points

Oct 3, 2021 7:41 AM in response to conno1td

That won't work, because neither of those Mac's (the 2015 MacBook or the M1 iMac) support Target Display Mode.

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


Your best bet, is to try to access the 2012 iMac's drive in Target Disk Mode using a TB 2 cable from the MacBook.

see > https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/transfer-files-mac-computers-target-disk-mode-mchlp1443/mac


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thunderbolt cable

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