I have an iMac late 2012
(It has two thunderbolt ports)
However, it is very slow, and I cannot update much of the mac software.
Can I buy a new Mac Mini and use this as the processor, with the old desktop as a monitor?
That setup is no longer supported by Apple. The iMac cannot be used as a monitor for any of the newest Macs and Target Display mode is no longer a feature of macOS, having been deprecated several years ago.
Please see: Use your iMac as a display with target display mode - Apple Support
Per the link above:
• Your target iMac (monitor) must be using macOS High Sierra 10.13.6 or earlier.
• In all cases the source Mac that you're connecting FROM must have been introduced in 2019 or earlier and have macOS 10.15 Catalina or earlier installed.
You might consider a third-party solution - Luna Display or Duet Display - though I can’t speak for the performance of those.
Do yourself a favor, avoid the headache and just budget an extra $100 for a monitor. Yes, they are that inexpensive.
No, unfortunately. Recycling is free at the nearest Apple Store - IMO, the best option.
Just get a monitor to use with the Mac Mini.
You'll need one anyway to setup Luna Display or Duet Display on the Mac mini before it can used with the iMac.
can I connect a Mac mini to an iMac late 2012?
