Use iMac (2017) as a display for Mac mini M2

The linked video shows a 2013 iMac being used as a second display.

Ralph1948 wrote:

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3 - If it is possible to use the iMac as a monitor, could I use the fusion drive as external storage?

Thanks for any assistance on this.

All "software/network" solutions are fraught with issues and to get any kind of somewhat reasonable performance you would need to drop to a low resolution which defeats the purpose of using a large display.

But as far as external storage use, the iMac would be a massive waste of electricity vs. getting a desktop hard drive. The only way it would make sense is if you would have multiple drives connected to it and use it as a home server. Even then, it would be a waste of electricity when you could get an older used MacMini to serve the same purpose.

Running Monterey and/or Airplay 2 (I don't have a mini yet, so I can't offer a first-hand perspective as to the exact setup), you should be able to use the iMac as an external display... but I think you might need a second monitor to get it started (but minis have an HDMI port, right? So you could use a TV).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzorsMjYh0w

Nope. Neither of those Mac's, the 2017 iMac or the M2 Mac mini support Target Display Mode.

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

If you go with the M2 Mac mini, best bet is to get an aftermarket external display and then possible use the old cinema display as a second display. see > Connect a display to Mac mini - Apple Support

DashingDaveASC wrote:

Running Monterey and/or Airplay 2 (I don't have a mini yet, so I can't offer a first-hand perspective as to the exact setup), you should be able to use the iMac as an external display...

System requirements for Continuity features on Apple devices - Apple Support

"AirPlay to Mac"

"iMac introduced in 2019 or later"

The OP has a 2017 iMac.

DashingDaveASC wrote:

The linked video shows a 2013 iMac being used as a second display.

The linked video appears to talk about using some sort of patching tool (OCLP) to modify macOS.

That iMac doesn't support Target Display Mode. No iMac does.

It's also too old to support being an AirPlay Receiver for AirPlay to Mac (a lower-quality, software-type connection). It would need to have a 2019 or later model year for that.

There may be third-party products like Luna Display and DuetDisplay that would let you use it as a SECOND display (you would still need a real hardware display for your main display). These rely on software methods and may have disadvantages compared to using a real hardware monitor.

Ralph1948 wrote:

Could I use the fusion drive as external storage?

If you weren't trying to use the iMac as a display, you could leave the Fusion Drive in the Mac, share the Mac's drive over your local network, and connect to the network drive from the new machine. You might even be able to run a Thunderbolt 3 cable and put the old iMac into Thunderbolt Target Disk Mode. If it worked, the old iMac would act as a drive – and nothing else – while in that mode.

It seems to me that it would make a lot more sense to simply buy a new external drive for your new machine. One which wouldn't take nearly as much electricity to operate as an old iMac, and which would be a whole lot newer … therefore, hopefully, that much further away from failing.

Nope'

1. that iMac can not be used as a display for any Mac.
2. the new Mac mini can not use any iMac as a display.