Can a new iMac be used as a second display for my Lenovo ThinkPad W540 [or any windows pc]? It has a Thunderbolt port.

Generally it is Apple-to-Apple only. This Apple article may help:

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

The other option is screen sharing software:

http://www.screenrecycler.com/ScreenRecycler.html

AnthPerri wrote:

I thought so. That's too bad.R

Have you used Screen recycler? Is there any latency?

I'd recommend against Screen Recycler, it is extremely old and extremely slow. The reason Target Display Mode will not work with your setup is that PC's don't support video out with their Thunderbolt ports. They're good for data transfer just not set up to do video.

with a 5 year old iMac and a Thinkpad T440 it works very well inlcluding audio. Both systems have the latest software / drivers.

Hi, in about this iMac you can see the exact version, my iMac is a Mac (27-inch, Late 2009). It is only supported on the 27 inch version not on 21. And it is also not supported on the Retina iMac, too many pixels for the current Thunderbolt version.

My Thinkpad T440 has a standard displayport (compatible with Thunderbolt) and runs Windows 7, I did not install special drivers, just the standard drivers are used. Than I connect a displayport cable and voila. In Windows you can tweak the display settings to use both screens in extended mode, or use only one screen.To start with the savest setting is using iMac only as the screen. With the display button on the T440 keyboard you can select the Projector only button. That's all you need.

If you have an Apple reseller or Apple store near you it will be a good try-out.

Hello

I have a Lenovo T440p that I am also trying to use the iMac as my external monitor. I have purchased and returned several different display ports, can you tell me what brand you used and provide more details on any settings that you changed. With one of the connectors I can see the option to Display device on:VGA, but the think pad would never appear on the iMac. Would greatly appreciate any feedback!

Op_8,

Please carefully read Use your iMac as a display with Target Display Mode - Apple Support and you wlll see if your iMac is able to support your Lenovo. In short, if your iMac is a late 2009 or 2010 27" model and your Lenovo has a mini-display port then yes the iMac can be used. If not, the answer is a simple no it will not work.

My iMac is a late 2012 27". The site indicates that (Mid 2012-Mid 2014) a thunderbolt cable is needed, but I am not getting anything to display on the iMac. Are you saying that only the models between 2009 and 2010 27" are compatible with the Thinkpad?