Mac Mini Monitor

Hi everyone. I have a 27" iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015), and I wondered if I could use it as JUST a monitor when hooked up to a Mac Mini, or if I would just need to get a new monitor. Thanks for any help.

iMac 27″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Jun 8, 2023 3:29 AM

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Posted on Jun 8, 2023 4:29 AM

It won't work since the iMac itself does not support Target Display Mode regardless of what MacMini model you have.

From this article:

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


"iMac models introduced in 2011, 2012, 2013, and mid 2014......24-inch and 27-inch iMac models introduced in 2009 and 2010"



4 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Jun 8, 2023 4:29 AM in response to HeronPilPond

It won't work since the iMac itself does not support Target Display Mode regardless of what MacMini model you have.

From this article:

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


"iMac models introduced in 2011, 2012, 2013, and mid 2014......24-inch and 27-inch iMac models introduced in 2009 and 2010"



Jun 8, 2023 9:29 AM in response to woodmeister50

There's Luna Display. It doesn't turn the iMac into a real hardware monitor – it appears to be more of a software (virtual screen) solution, with a hardware component that you have to plug into the primary computer.


I think you MIGHT be able to run at 5K with a resolution of 30 Hz or 45 Hz if

  • You have the USB-C version of Luna Display (which costs $120)
  • You have Mini with a USB-C port
  • You plug the Luna Display directly into one of the Mini's USB-C (Thunderbolt) ports – tying up one of the valuable USB-C (Thunderbolt) ports)
  • You make an Ethernet-to-Ethernet connection or Thunderbolt-to-Thunderbolt connection (for which you would need a Thunderbolt 3-to-2 adapter and a Thunderbolt 2 cable) between the Macs. (I'm not sure if connecting over WiFi would be a good idea for 5K.)
  • You're not planning to display "gaming or other high-motion content."


Note that I may have misread some of the help and system requirements articles on the site. I'd recommend contacting the vendor to see that I haven't read things backwards. Also finding reviews by people (other than the vendor) who have used the thing with 5K iMacs to see how well they think it works.


https://astropad.com/product/lunadisplay/

https://shop.astropad.com/collections/shop-astropad/products/luna-display?variant=12202370793531

(See the 'Before you buy' link on the second page for links to System requirements)


Mac Mini Monitor

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