Thunderbolt and other displays in an iMac bootcamping to windows

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Thunderbolt and other displays in an iMac bootcamping to windows

So, i have a mid-2011 iMac which I regularily boot into windows 8 via bootcamp. I bought 2 Thunderbolt displays to add on to the iMac, only to now realize that Apple will never allow you to enjoy windows across 2 thunderbolt displays (which, really, is kind of a dick move). I will now be returning the 2nd Thunderbolt display and probably replacing it with a Samsung Series 9 display (to continue the same resolution across.

Has anyone done this set up successfully? If not that particular display, but one of the same 2560 x 1440 resolution? My end-game is using the ati eyefinity to stretch a game across the 3 screens at that max resolution.

Thunderbolt Display (27-inch), Windows 8, Using a mid-2011 iMac

Posted on Apr 3, 2013 8:10 PM

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Answer 1

garirry

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Apr 7, 2013 12:11 PM in response to Lycosid

You want to use triple display? Sorry but the iMac supports only dual display, except maybe if you buy an external graphic card with USB. It may allow you to connect an third display.

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Answer 2

Lycosid Author

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Apr 7, 2013 12:40 PM in response to garirry

Sorry if I wasn't clear, it's a dual display in addition to the iMac display.

As Apple doesn't allow you to have 2 thunderbolt displays running Windows, I did get the Samsung Series 9 ( http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/monitors/LS27B970DS/ZA ), and connected to the iMac with a Mini DisplayPort to Dual Link DVI Adapter ( http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB571Z/A/mini-displayport-to-dual-link-dvi-ada pter ). It is modeled pretty closely to the thunderbolt, so it's not terribly out of place looking (except for the base, of course). As far as color similarity to the thundbolt/imac display, it's very very close. So far, it's performing perfectly, and **** sharp. In Windows, using ATI's Eyefinity, I can play many games at ultra graphics spanning across the 3 screens with a resolution of 7680 x 1440.

If anyone happens to be running windows via bootcamp and wanting 2 very large displays, I'd highly recommend the Samsung Series 9 as a replacement to the Thunderbolt display.

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Answer 3

May 2, 2013 5:00 PM in response to Lycosid

I am planning to set up u dual system with:

a) iMac 27

b) Dell XPS 1 - WIN8

Can I connect these so as I get dual setup - i.e. IOS or WIN8, both using each other as second monitor?

My assumption was to connect Thunderbolt to HDMI - assuming bi-directional at full resolution 2560x1440.

Will this work?

What cable to use?

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Answer 4

garirry

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May 2, 2013 5:05 PM in response to Richardo2012

Yes, it will work fine. Except I'm not sure if it works with Windows with boot camp. Try searching a little bit!😉

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Answer 5

Lycosid Author

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May 2, 2013 5:08 PM in response to Richardo2012

Though I haven't tried it myself, I have looked into making the iMac into an external display ( http://macs.about.com/od/usingyourmac/qt/using-target-display-mode.htm ). Whether it would work in the inverse as well, I can't be sure. You will probably need the dual link Dvi adapter for the iMac to reach its full resolution. Do let me knowing you try this.

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Answer 6

garirry

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May 2, 2013 5:11 PM in response to Lycosid

I never actually understood what is Dual-Link DVI adapter.

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Answer 7

Lycosid Author

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May 2, 2013 5:28 PM in response to garirry

It's: http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB571Z/A/mini-displayport-to-dual-link-dvi-ada pter

It allows external displays with larger resolutions the ability to utilize them. An HDMI to mini-display port adapter will max out at 1920 x 1080, where a native 27" iMac has a 2560 x 1440 screen resolution.

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