iMac as PC monitor

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iMac as PC monitor

I know there's a few of these, and maybe I just read one wrong and am SOL, but want to be sure before I give up.

I have a mid-2010 iMac and am looking to use it as a display for my new PC. The PC has a DisplayPort outlet and my iMac has a miniDisplayPort. I've connected both, brought up the settings on my PC and it detects that there's another monitor attached, but when I hit CMD + F2, nothing happens.

I looked at the back and realized it has the miniDisplayPort image, instead of the thunderbolt. (my cord is a displayport to thunderbolt). Is this the problem? Or is the problem that I don't have a thunderbolt port on my PC?

Thanks!

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4)

Posted on Aug 26, 2013 10:56 PM

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Answer 1

BDAqua

Level 10

239,189 points

Aug 26, 2013 11:49 PM in response to Logan494

Hello Logan,

A notable peculiarity of Thunderbolt is that it uses exactly the same connector as Mini Display Port, and that's not all. The Thunderbolt connector also carries Mini Display Port video signals. That means you can plug a Mini Display Port video cable/adapter in to a Thunderbolt connector and your monitor will work.

If you plan to do other things with your Thunderbolt connector and don't want it wasted on a monitor, you can also choose an HDMI --> DVI adapter, which for your purposes will be functionally equivalent.

You can even use both at the same time.

- Anonymous

http://x704.net/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=6134&p=75115&hilit=thunderbolt#p75115

Here's how it's supposed to work...

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3924

Mid 2011s & up need Thunderbolt!???

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3775

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