Can I use an old Mac (7,1) as a monitor for my new Macbook Pro?

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Level 1

0 points

Can I use an old Mac (7,1) as a monitor for my new Macbook Pro?

I have been told by some people that this can work and some that it cant. But Im trying it anyways. My old Mac is just sitting powered off and gets no use. So I would like to use it as a second monitor for my Macbook. I bought an HDMI to USB cable. As well as the custom diplay port for the Mac (which I believe is calld a mini DVI? Could be wrong) but either way. Once they are all connected my desktop doesnt switch over. On my Macbook when I go to system preferences-displays-arrangement the second display shows up. Its detecting the desktop and I can even move things over there. It just wont show up. The desktop is just showing its usual background coming from its own hardware.
Hopefully thats all easy enough to understand. This is my first time posting on here so Im not entirely sure how it works. Hopefully someone can help me out. Thanks!

iMac

Posted on Jan 17, 2014 9:30 AM

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Answer 1

KAKAMAMA

Level 1

8 points

May 25, 2014 7:32 AM in response to daltjack

It is ppretty easy actually, I assume your old Mac is still functioning. On your old Mac, install a piece of software called AirServer. http://www.airserver.com (it's free totry $15.00 to buy. It's well worth it.) On your Macbook, open the Displays control panel, in the lower part of the panel you will see a drop down menu says AirPlay Display, make sure the name of you old Mac is on the list. (This can also be done from the AirServer menu as well. And both Macs must be on the same network.)

Volia, your old Mac is your secondary display! 🙂

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Answer 2

varjak paw

Level 10

182,668 points

Jan 17, 2014 9:38 AM in response to daltjack

Sorry, but you cannot use a mid-2007 iMac as a monitor directly through the mini-DVI port. That's only an output port. ScreenRecycler and Air Display both allow you to use any networked computer as additional display. I haven't tried either but perhaps one of them would work for you.

Regards.

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Answer 3

May 15, 2017 11:00 AM in response to KAKAMAMA

This worked for me. I have an old 2007 iMac that I can now use as a display for my macbook. All I needed to do was to download this software on to my old iMac. Then go to system preferences on the macbook and open the display settings. You then make sure that I think it is called 'air serve" is on and your old imac is showing up. Then just make sure you are on the same network. I just connected them both using the same wifi connection. I was about ready to retire the old iMac.

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Answer 4

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,494 points

Jan 17, 2014 9:39 AM in response to daltjack

What you are referring to is called Target Display Mode (TDM) and no your vintage iMac will not work. Apple explains what is required in the TDM FAQ located at:

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3924

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