I am in the market for a new computer, but I do not want to downsize my monitor to a 24".
My iMac is currently running Ventur 13.6, and I am wanting to connect the Mac Studio Max 2022 to it.
Is this possible? and it is straightforward forward, please?
I have previously looked on the support pages for an answer to this question with no success, so I apologize if this is a repeated question.
iMac 27″ 5K, macOS 13.6
That iMac does not support using Target Display Mode. No Retina Mac does. Apple removed the feature when the first 27" 5K Retina iMac came out in Late 2014. Even if it did, Apple added restrictions on "the other Mac" – which would keep a Mac Studio from using it.
That iMac is also too old to act as an AirPlay Receiver for AirPlay to Mac. In the case of an iMac, that feature seems to be reserved for iMacs introduced in 2019 or later, running macOS Monterey or later. Note that AirPlay to Mac is a software-type solution. I'm not sure if it takes full advantage of 5K displays even on 27" 2019 and 2020 iMacs.
So you're stuck in the middle – neither here nor there. There are third-party products (Astropad – Luna Display; or Duet Display) that you could explore. If those worked, they would let you use your 27" iMac as an extra display for the Mac Studio – with possible drawbacks related to trying to drive a 5K display via software. But the price of 27" 4K monitors is making those workarounds less and less attractive. Especially since you would still need to have at least one real hardware monitor.
References:
Use your iMac as a display with target display mode - Apple Support
System requirements for Continuity features on Apple devices - Apple Support
Set up your Mac to be an AirPlay Receiver - Apple Support
That iMac does not support using Target Display Mode. No Retina Mac does. Apple removed the feature when the first 27" 5K Retina iMac came out in Late 2014. Even if it did, Apple added restrictions on "the other Mac" – which would keep a Mac Studio from using it.
That iMac is also too old to act as an AirPlay Receiver for AirPlay to Mac. In the case of an iMac, that feature seems to be reserved for iMacs introduced in 2019 or later, running macOS Monterey or later. Note that AirPlay to Mac is a software-type solution. I'm not sure if it takes full advantage of 5K displays even on 27" 2019 and 2020 iMacs.
So you're stuck in the middle – neither here nor there. There are third-party products (Astropad – Luna Display; or Duet Display) that you could explore. If those worked, they would let you use your 27" iMac as an extra display for the Mac Studio – with possible drawbacks related to trying to drive a 5K display via software. But the price of 27" 4K monitors is making those workarounds less and less attractive. Especially since you would still need to have at least one real hardware monitor.
References:
Use your iMac as a display with target display mode - Apple Support
System requirements for Continuity features on Apple devices - Apple Support
Set up your Mac to be an AirPlay Receiver - Apple Support
Apple Silicon Macs do not support using your old iMac as a display in any way, shape, or form. What you want to do is known as Target Display mode. Target Display mode was discontinued a long time ago. Please read the information in the link below for explanation.
Use your iMac as a display with target display mode - Apple Support
So if you are looking for standalone displays there are numerous options from various manufacturers in different price ranges. Of course Apple offers its own 27” Studio Display as well.
Thank you to everyone who got in touch. I will now go onto eBay and look for a reasonably priced monitor and HDMI lead.
I can now look forward to 2025, when Apple is rumoured to release a 32" iMac.
the wight original wrote:
Thank you to everyone who got in touch. I will now go onto eBay and look for a reasonably priced monitor and HDMI lead.
I can now look forward to 2025, when Apple is rumoured to release a 32" iMac.
Only a rumor by one supposedly connected analyst.
I have my Mac Studio connected to an 27" LG 5k display to mimic my old 27" iMac.
Better than HDMI is MDP.
iMac(late 2017) 27" monitor
