Mac mini and an old imac

It likely will not work. See Use your iMac as a display with target display mode - Apple Support -. HOWEVER, this document is "archived" which means this feature is no longer supported on the new line of Macs and operating system versions that are currently supported by Apple. The document applies only if all system versions to be used date from 2019 or earlier and the display models used are iMacs late 2009-Mid 2014

Hello,

The two items I've highlighted from that article are why one CANNOT use any iMac as a monitor for a "new Mac Mini" via Target Display Mode.

Note the key date: 2019

You have the option of network screen sharing which will be laggy ("click-wait" etc). There are also third-party solutions like Luna/Duet Display but I have not tried those so do not know if if the lag issue remains.

Bottom line is that Apple began the deprecation of Target Display Mode in Late 2014 and threw the last shovel of dirt in its moribund face in Early 2020. It is dead tech.

Nothing has really changed my first reply. Allan Jones was just noting that Apple no longer had an "archived" label on the support article. What you can do depends upon the exact model Mini, the system version it is running, the exact model iMac, and what system version it is running.

Limnos, FYI, that article was revised and "un-archived" in May 2022. Apparently all the misinformation about TDM that was belched onto the internet after COVID forced so many to work for home caused Apple to update and reactivate it.

Hi

So does this mean an old iMac can be used effectively as a screen for a new MacMini? Also trying to minimise spend…current 5k 27” iMac screen is perfect and could save £1500 if I can connect to a Mini. If yes, do you know if is there any degradation in resolution or issues with quality?

Thanks

Sam

Thanks for the update Allan Jones!