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2009/2011 iMac Dual Display with M1 Mac Mini

Can I connect a late 2009 27” iMac with a 2011 iMac as dual monitors for an M1 Mac Mini? What cables would be required etc? The displays are so great would be a shame not to utilise them.


Thanks!

Posted on Mar 12, 2022 11:39 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Mar 13, 2022 8:29 AM

Just “no”?


IN what you read, this means M1 Macs canot serve as video sources for an iMac with TDM support (2009-2014):


M1 Macs started in 2020. That's it. Apple started the deprecation of TDM in Late 2014 and threw the last shovel of dirt in its face in early 2020.


Even if you were dealing with a 2019 or older Intel-powered Mac, the cost of cabling and adapter for dual monitors would probably be close to the case of a couple of decent free-standing external monitors. Standard external monitors have too many advantage over TDM to ignore:


  • They are more reliable. TDM was always a bit bit fiddly.
  • Their cabling and adapter requirements are cheaper and less convoluted
  • They use less energy than an iMac, which has to be running for TDM to work.
  • They allow extended desktop; TDM only mirrors.



5 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 13, 2022 8:29 AM in response to Shark_Dreams

Just “no”?


IN what you read, this means M1 Macs canot serve as video sources for an iMac with TDM support (2009-2014):


M1 Macs started in 2020. That's it. Apple started the deprecation of TDM in Late 2014 and threw the last shovel of dirt in its face in early 2020.


Even if you were dealing with a 2019 or older Intel-powered Mac, the cost of cabling and adapter for dual monitors would probably be close to the case of a couple of decent free-standing external monitors. Standard external monitors have too many advantage over TDM to ignore:


  • They are more reliable. TDM was always a bit bit fiddly.
  • Their cabling and adapter requirements are cheaper and less convoluted
  • They use less energy than an iMac, which has to be running for TDM to work.
  • They allow extended desktop; TDM only mirrors.



2009/2011 iMac Dual Display with M1 Mac Mini

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