I have a 2019 MacBook Pro which I use all the time and a 2020 iMac (supplied by employer) which I want to use as the second screen for the 2019 MacBook Pro. The interweb suggests a thunderbolt cable will work elsewhere a thunderbolt dock is suggested. Do both options work?
MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 14.1
The 2020 iMac does not support Target Display Mode. Apple dropped that feature in Late 2014, when the first 27" 5K Retina iMac came out. It never returned.
(See the bad news for yourself at: Use your iMac as a display with target display mode - Apple Support)
If both Macs are running Monterey or later, you could set up the 2020 iMac to be an AirPlay Receiver. This wouldn't require a Thunderbolt cable. It won't let you take advantage of the iMac's 5K resolution, and you may see the sorts of issues sometimes associated with "software" display connections (such as lag).
System requirements for Continuity features on Apple devices - Apple Support
Set up your Mac to be an AirPlay Receiver - Apple Support
But given that it's built in to macOS, it would cost nothing to play around with it (as opposed to the cost to try a third party workaround product like Luna Display (Astropad) or Duet Display).
The 2020 iMac does not support Target Display Mode. Apple dropped that feature in Late 2014, when the first 27" 5K Retina iMac came out. It never returned.
(See the bad news for yourself at: Use your iMac as a display with target display mode - Apple Support)
If both Macs are running Monterey or later, you could set up the 2020 iMac to be an AirPlay Receiver. This wouldn't require a Thunderbolt cable. It won't let you take advantage of the iMac's 5K resolution, and you may see the sorts of issues sometimes associated with "software" display connections (such as lag).
System requirements for Continuity features on Apple devices - Apple Support
Set up your Mac to be an AirPlay Receiver - Apple Support
But given that it's built in to macOS, it would cost nothing to play around with it (as opposed to the cost to try a third party workaround product like Luna Display (Astropad) or Duet Display).
Rudegar wrote:
the old "target display" option will not work at all, all devices are way to new to support that
Actually, a 2019 MacBook Pro is just old enough to squeak in under the restrictions that Apple placed on "the other Mac" – if the OP hobbled that MacBook Pro by forcing it to run macOS Catalina.
Wouldn't do a bit of good here, since the 2020 iMac doesn't support TDM, period.
Trackfather wrote:
My root question is can a thunderbolt cable connect the two devices and does it enable a better screen quality on the iMac?
No. You can't use the iMac as a monitor.
FWIW, you can AirPlay from your MBP to the 2020 iMac. Open Control Center from the MBP's Menu Bar and click on "Screen Mirroring".
Servant of Cats wrote:
Wouldn't do a bit of good here, since the 2020 iMac doesn't support TDM, period.
Correct. So what was the point of your post?
the old "target display" option will not work at all, all devices are way to new to support that
but you can read up on the other options
Many thanks, realise TDM does not work from my early research, i have used the airplay receiver but that does not give me the quality I am looking for as you say. My root question is can a thunderbolt cable connect the two devices and does it enable a better screen quality on the iMac?
Many thanks for your responses and helping me clarify the question better.
The statement that "all devices are way too new" was incorrect, and could mislead other people reading this thread, who have 2019 Macs.
Servant of Cats wrote:
The statement you made about "all devices are way too new" was incorrect, and could mislead other people reading this thread, who have 2019 Macs.
I didn't make the statement.
dialabrain wrote:
I didn't make the statement.
My mistake. I edited the post to fix that.
Servant of Cats wrote:
My mistake. I edited the post to fix that.
Yes. You also edited your post to add AirPlay after I already posted it.
Thank you for the clarity.
You're welcome.
Using a 2020 iMac as second display
