How can I use my 2011 iMac (Dec. 2011) as a monitor for my new MacBook Pro (purchased today)?

Question

Level 1

58 points

How can I use my 2011 iMac (Dec. 2011) as a monitor for my new MacBook Pro (purchased today)?

I purchased a MacBook Pro today and I'd like to use it with my iMac, which was purchased in December 2011. I have the Thunderbolt-to-Thunderbolt cable but nothing happens when I connect the two machines. I tried Command+F2 and nothing happened. I was going to use ScreenRecycler as recommeded by my Apple specialist but it seems that does not work on the latest OS. Both of my Macs are running 10.8.2.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks! 🙂

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Dec 14, 2012 6:57 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Best reply

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Dec 14, 2012 7:01 PM in response to Dieds

Yes, the iMac can be used in Target Display Mode.

Target Display Mode And Thunderbolt

Apple Portables- How to use your computer in closed clamshell (display closed) mode with an external display

iMac (Mid 2011)- Target Display Mode does not work with Mini DisplayPort cable

Reply

Answer 2

Dieds Author

Level 1

58 points

Dec 14, 2012 7:13 PM in response to Kappy

Thanks, Kappy,

But it won't go into Target Display Mode. When I connect the two, nothing happens.

Reply

Answer 3

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Dec 14, 2012 7:28 PM in response to Dieds

Since I can't replicate that here, I don't know what to tell you. Read the articles and perhaps they can help you get it to work.

Note that it's your iMac that must go into TDM.

Reply

Answer 4

Dieds Author

Level 1

58 points

Dec 15, 2012 6:00 AM in response to Dieds

Well, nothing seems to work. I did try restarting the MacBook Pro, held down the "T" key, and then it displayed the Thunderbolt icon and it finally showed up as an icon on my iMac (showing the Macintosh HD image). I closed the MacBook Pro but nothing happened. I still see the image though of it on my iMac.

Anyone else have any ideas? I don't want to get another monitor, but I guess I'll get one if all else fails.

Reply

Answer 5

Dieds Author

Level 1

58 points

Dec 15, 2012 6:59 AM in response to Dieds

I sort of figured it out -- but it displays my MacBook Pro in the same screen size (13-inch) on my iMac's screen. I enabled screen sharing on both Macs in the System Preferences. Then I connected the two with a Thunderbolt cable. Next, on the iMac, I opened the finder and clicked on the MacBook's image under the "Shared" menu. Then at the top of that window I clicked "Share Screen."

It works, but again it only displays in 13-inches. I would like it to fully display - fill the screen.

ScreenRecycler does not work on 10.8.2. There is a beta version for 10.8 but it does not work, either (for me, anyhow). If anyone has any better ideas, please let me know.

Reply