Connecting two iMacs for Lightroom and Photoshop

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Level 1

4 points

Connecting two iMacs for Lightroom and Photoshop

I have a 2015 iMac 27" with 8gb and 1tb storage (which is full) running Monterey 12.7.6. I cannot run the latest versions of Lightroom or Photoshop. I have been offered a 2017 iMac 21.5" w/8gb and 1tb storage running Ventura 13.7.2, which will run those programs.

I would factory reset the 2017. I don't want to transfer any data to the 2017. I would perform a clean install of Lightroom and Photoshop. I of course would want to use the 2015 27" display as my main display.

At that point, do I set the 2015 to target disk and target display? Do I need one or two thunderbolt cables?

My plan was to add the 2015 disk as an additional Photo Library. I would not be backing up to icloud.

Any help appreciated.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iMac 21.5″ 4K, macOS 13.7

Posted on Jan 23, 2025 11:29 PM

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Answer 1

Jan 24, 2025 3:47 AM in response to c2macguy

Those iMacs are too recent to act as Target Displays. Also, it is not possible for any Mac to run in Target Display Mode and Target Disk Mode at the same time.

Adobe has a policy of supporting only the three most recent versions of macOS. If Apple follows the same macOS release pattern that they have for the last 10 years, you can expect Ventura to drop off the list of the most recent three some time in September, October, or November of 2025.

Therefore, if your goal is to run the current versions of Adobe applications, going from a 2015 Mac to a 2017 one is likely to be only a stopgap solution.

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Answer 2

Old Toad

Level 10

217,266 points

Jan 24, 2025 11:08 AM in response to c2macguy

Is the offered 21.5" 2017 iMac a freebie or do you have to purchase it? You can transfer your user data from your old Mac's Time Machine backup to the newer Mac.

8 GB of RAM will limit your performance with Photoshop and Lightroom operating. I'd make sure you have no other apps open when you use those two.

Also do not install and run any "cleaning", "optimizing", "speed-up", anti-virus or VPN apps on your Mac. They are not needed and only compromise system and app performance.

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Answer 3

c2macguy Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 24, 2025 5:26 AM in response to Rudegar

Thank you for that information. I'm just leaning Macs.

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Answer 4

c2macguy Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 24, 2025 5:29 AM in response to Servant of Cats

The information about Target Display and Adobe is most helpful. Thank you very much. It looks like new hardware is going to be the best move.

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Answer 5

Rudegar

Level 10

183,016 points

Jan 24, 2025 12:15 AM in response to c2macguy

target display was discontinued with the 5k imacs and later on with newer macOS versions

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

there are third party solutions to use a mac as a display but performance is not really that good it seems and it would not be viewed as your primary display, and it would use much much power than if you purchased a real monitor

Use iMac as monitor: 5 Solutions - 9to5Mac

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Connecting two iMacs for Lightroom and Photoshop

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