2011 MBA --> to iMac (2008) mini display port via Thunderbolt?

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2011 MBA --> to iMac (2008) mini display port via Thunderbolt?

I am very interested in buying one of those cool new mamajama (as Andy Ihnatko puts it) Macbook Airs! I have done extensive research and even tried Apple sales chat and could not find an definitive answer to this question:

Can I connect a 2011 Macbook Air via Thunderbolt to an iMac (circa 2008, 26inch) MiniDisplay port and run the iMac as an external display for the MBA in target disc mode? And if so, could you please point me in the direction of an appropriate cable?

Thanks!

MINIc

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.8), 26" 2008

Posted on Jul 21, 2011 10:12 PM

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Answer 1

MINIcooper Author

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Jul 23, 2011 11:34 PM in response to MINIcooper

hello??

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Answer 2

Jul 24, 2011 5:11 AM in response to MINIcooper

I had no luck with Target Display mode between my shiny, new 11" MBA (2011) and 27" iMac (2010) using a Belkin MiniDisplay - MiniDisplay cable. I suspect a Thunderbolt cable is required.

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Answer 3

MINIcooper Author

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Jul 24, 2011 10:04 PM in response to Gussie Fink-Nottle

Hi Gussie,

After several more hours searching, I did find the following articles on Apple's website:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Thunderbolt/10.6/en/30822.html

Did you connect your Belkin cable as the article recommends? Were you booting in target disc mode? I have a 26" iMac and the article only mentions the 27", but I can't see why that would be an issue since you can adjust the display setting prefs on any mac.

Here are some more interesting articles I dug up on the internet:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Thunderbolt/10.6/en/30822.html

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-20043524-263.html

http://www.macworld.com/article/158145/2011/02/thunderbolt_what_you_need_to_know .html

How are you liking your shiny new 11" Macbook Air? Did you adjust to the small wide screen size quickly? What made you buy an 11" over the 13". I still can't decide which one to get. It will not be my primary computer, but I would like to do some light design/edits with Adobe CS5 while on the road. Any feedback on your new toy will be very appreciated.

Thanks,

MINIc

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