Recenty purchased a late 2013 iMac and I' wondering if I could use the display as the display for a PC using the thunderbolt port on the back? My old PC has a thunderbolt port from its graphics card? If I can could somene explain how this is done. thank you.
iMac (27-inch, Late 2013), Windows 7
Welcome to Apple Support Communities
Are you sure your old PC has got Thunderbolt? Note that Thunderbolt and Mini DisplayPort use the same port, and a Thunderbolt computer like the Late 2013 iMac can't be used as a display for Mini DisplayPort computers. Personally, I doubt the old PC has got Thunderbolt.
In case it has got Thunderbolt, Apple only supports Target Display mode through Macs, but you don't lose anything by trying. Get a Thunderbolt cable and press Command and F2 keys on the iMac. See > http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3924?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US
You may be mistaken on the port on the PC. Most all PCs do not have a Thunberbolt port, Not even the most newest PCs. What you are mistaking for Thunderbolt is propably a Mini displayport. Which is the same as a thunderbolt port on Mac computer but does not have the same functionality.
So you can't do what you want.
LowLuster wrote:
Which is the same as a thunderbolt port on Mac computer but does not have the same functionality.
Mini DisplayPort and Thunderbolt have some things in common: they transfer video (and audio in some Macs). The only difference is that Thunderbolt adds data transfer support
OK, thanks for your replies.
My old PC certainly has a mini display port on its graphic card and I already have have a mini displayport to minidisplay port cable. Could I use the iMac display as the display for my old PC while I am using Windows 7 in Bootcamp mode on the iMac or would I have to boot the iMac to Mavericks first to do that.
The problem is that a Thunderbolt iMac only supports Target Display mode through a Thunderbolt cable, and Mini DisplayPort ports don't detect Thunderbolt cables. You can't use your iMac as an external display for the old PC. This is caused by the port and the firmware, so starting up in Windows won't change anything
And why did you bother to reply to my post. Although they are the same shape and can transfer video they do not have the same functionality and can not be used for what the OP want to do. As I already stated, and then you confirmed.
mende1 wrote:
LowLuster wrote:
Which is the same as a thunderbolt port on Mac computer but does not have the same functionality.
Mini DisplayPort and Thunderbolt have some things in common: they transfer video (and audio in some Macs). The only difference is that Thunderbolt adds data transfer support
Looking at your reply, it looks like you wanted to say that they are the same, which is wrong. Sorry if I misunderstood your reply
This is the first time that I have had to use the communities and I must say how impressed I am with the speed of the response that I have had with my question.
Thank you all those who responded.
You are welcome
Well if you read my whole post you would of seen they ARE the SAME Shape but do not have the same functionality. Which mean even though they are the same shape they don't both do the same things.
mende1 wrote:
Looking at your reply, it looks like you wanted to say that they are the same, which is wrong. Sorry if I misunderstood your reply
I'd like to express my disappointment in the matter. I bought an iMac very early in 2013. the predecessor iMac had a displayport, where i tried my Laptop PC and the iMac functioned beautifully as a Display. But as detailed in this tread: not the newer machine. I was somehow hoping to have this fixed with an update, but seems my hopes will be disappointed. Not even a 3rd party device / workaround available (company laptop, no software for wireless screen transmission to the mac allowed). iMac 2013: beautifull, but this is in my eyes the main flaw.
I agree, this could be easily fixed with a iMac firware upgrade. Is there any way we can request this feature to be added?
What about the ASUS Thunderbolt EX2 card?
http://rog.asus.com/280892013/news/asus-thunderboltex-ii-what-you-need-to-know/
Hi,
I got a late 2012 27" iMac & also want to use it as a display for my new computer 2013 mac pro expected soon.
Now if i use target display mode to turn m 27" iMac to a display for the Mac Pro, will the iMac just shutdown & only have the display switched on or will it be running 100% the os in the background even in Display mode? don't want it running all components just for the display usage.
Thanks..
Can I use my late 2013 iMac display as an external display using a thunderbolt cable
