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Target Display Mode "Broken" on 2011 iMac

I just purchased a 2011 27" iMac and was planning on using it as a second monitor for my aging MacBook Pro, but it turns out the new iMac will only do Target Display Mode (TDM) with devices outputting through the new Thunderbold port. So, in effect, you can ONLY use your iMac as a second monitor if you have a 2011 MacBook Pro. Please see KB article http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3775


My question is when is this going to be addressed? Will there be an adapter created that allows us to use DisplayPort/DVI/HDMI in the future? Will there be a software update available that allows the iMac to recognize a DisplayPort input?


This feature was the reason I went for the 27" iMac, it's a great computer, a beautiful display, and TDM allowed me to use it with my work laptop at home.


Please respond to this thread if you think there should be a fix for this current limitation, or know of a workaround.


Thanks,


-Wolf

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.7), 2011 27"

Posted on May 9, 2011 3:06 PM

Reply
46 replies

May 12, 2011 8:31 AM in response to Wolfsokta

I also have a new 27" imac and a 2009 mac mini which i was hoping to use target display mode with. I am hoping that Apple release a firmware update that will allow the displayport adaptor to work with the thunderbolt port. I did hear a rumour that Apple engineers were looking into it.... so fingers crossed.


In the meantime you can do a remote desktop connection and work that way. I've been using that today with Windows (bootcamp) and it works pretty good.

May 16, 2011 9:59 AM in response to Wolfsokta

I'd like to echo this request. I went to an Apple Store this weekend and purchased a new 27" iMac AFTER asking the sales person if this was possible and being told it was, that the 27" iMacs have support this for the last year or so. I was planning to plug my 17" MacBookPro (from 2009) from work into it when I work from home. I can't exactly request all new machines from work just to be compatible with my new iMac. This is the typical Apple moves that we saw back in the 90's. Apple, please listen to your customers and provide backwards compatibility. I'd spend $100 on an adapter if that's what it took, but ideally it'd be a firmware update or something like that...

May 16, 2011 3:07 PM in response to jeremysf

I went to my local Apple store and was told it would work as well, until I showed them the knowledge base article. At that point I made a genius appointment and talked to the guys at the bar. I wanted to find out which macbook could drive the monitor through the thunderbolt port at the native resolution of 2560x1440. He said it would have to be the 15" or 17" macbook pro with a discrete graphics card to support those resolutions. Has anybody been able to hook up the current 13" model with the native resolution?

May 18, 2011 9:21 AM in response to Wolfsokta

Went to Apple store yesterday and was told by their TOP guy that he had a 2011 imac and was using it with the Belkin adapter and his PS3 just the night before. I assume he was telling stories but when I showed him the articles in the message base he seemed curious and wondered why it would work for him and nobody else.


He had no idea about the issue or a solution though. Just said taht it worked and that "Apple" wasn't touting the feature even though it was there and that it should work since T-Bolt "is" mini dsiaply port as well.


My assesment was that he ahs not being truthful, but at least its an update. Apple clerks know nothing and are saying whatever the customer wants to hear.

Jul 27, 2011 11:33 AM in response to JesperBonde

Just got off the phone with Apple Support. I just bought a new 2011 imac and the sales people at the store said that I would be able to use my PC as a source computer with a mini displayport to HDMI cable. Unfortunately this is not the case;


http://support.apple.com/kb/ts3775


The apple support guy on the phone was also unaware of this issue, but checked with a supervisor who confirmed that Apple Engineering wrote the kb article. He is not sure whether a firmware update will be release in the future to solve the backward compatibility issue.


For now - there's no option to connect either a PC or even an older generation minidp macbook pro to the imac.


The only thing you can use is thunderbolt to thunderbolt.


such a bummer!

Aug 15, 2011 12:42 AM in response to Wolfsokta

I purchased a Belkin AV360 and it did not work with Target Display Mode on my new mid 2011 iMac.


After a bit of searching on why it didn't work I've found all sorts of articles on this issue with older display port devices not working with target display mode on the new Thunderbolt macs. I sure hope this can be resolved with a firmware update, or by someone (Belkin/Kanex) making a new Thunderbolt compatible adapter.


And I don't know if anyone has confirmed it yet since the feature is so hard to take advantage of now, but I'm hoping this years iMac at least accepts 1080P signals in addition to 720P and the native panel resolution. It would be worth the wait for an adapter if it accepts 1080P as well, which would make it at least more future proof since everything has gone to 1080P so rapidly.


I was really counting on my new iMac doubling as a TV/Console display in my room - it was part of what justified the high price of the investment and the convenience of the all-in-one design. I would be very pleased if Apple can help resolve this.

Aug 27, 2011 4:48 AM in response to Wolfsokta

Wolf,


What if you buy and use a new thunderbolt cable, and plug the thunderbolt cable inside the MiniDisplay Port of your 'old' MacBook Pro and then in the 2011 27" iMac in TDM? Because all I seem to read is that the iMac will not work in TDM with a MiniDisplay Port cable. Perhaps it will work with a thunderbolt cable, since the size is the same as MiniDisplay Port, and therefore will fit in your 'old' MacBook Pro.


If anyone else has tried this, please inform us.


TH.

Target Display Mode "Broken" on 2011 iMac

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