Q: Connect Mac Mini to iMac

What cable / adaptor do I need to connect my mid-2011 Mac Mini to my mid-2010 27-inch iMac, so that I can use the iMac screen to switch between the two hard drives? My Mac Mini has a Thunderbolt port and my iMac has a Mini Display Port. Where can I buy this cable/adaptor?

iMac (27-inch Mid 2010), OS X Yosemite (10.10.3)

Posted on Apr 30, 2015 7:57 PM

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Q: Connect Mac Mini to iMac

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by Lanny,

Lanny Apr 30, 2015 8:12 PM in response to peachpit15
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Desktops

Apr 30, 2015 8:12 PM in response to peachpit15

Makes no sense. Try to explain it again.
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by PJ'sPal,

PJ'sPal Apr 30, 2015 8:14 PM in response to peachpit15
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iWork

Apr 30, 2015 8:14 PM in response to peachpit15

Historically firewire cables will work. Not sure if you have FireWire 800 or FireWire 400 jacks.
if they both can couple to the same local network, you can use that connection, preferably with Ethernet cables instead of wireless.
it might work with a USB cable to USB ports directly but I have never done so.
the local area network connection is the probably the easiest to set up.
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by PJ'sPal,

PJ'sPal Apr 30, 2015 8:15 PM in response to Lanny
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iWork

Apr 30, 2015 8:15 PM in response to Lanny

I Presumed he is trying to migrate his data from one machine to another using migration assistant.
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by Lanny,

Lanny Apr 30, 2015 8:17 PM in response to PJ'sPal
Level 6 (8,041 points)

Desktops

Apr 30, 2015 8:17 PM in response to PJ'sPal

Do you have a crystal ball?

so that I can use the iMac screen to switch between the two hard drives?
Makes no sense to me.
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by peachpit15,

peachpit15 Apr 30, 2015 9:01 PM in response to Lanny
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Apr 30, 2015 9:01 PM in response to Lanny

I want to be able to use the Mac Mini as a standalone computer but be able to use my iMac screen as a monitor for the Mac Mini. However, I still want to able to access all files on my iMac - two separate hard drives sharing one screen.
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by peachpit15,

peachpit15 Apr 30, 2015 9:17 PM in response to PJ'sPal
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Apr 30, 2015 9:17 PM in response to PJ'sPal

Thanks. I have FireWire 800 on both machines. Have tried that but doesn't seem to work, doesn't even show up on the desktop like the back-up drives I have connected to the iMac. I'm pretty sure I need a mini display cable. Is there such a thing as an Apple Mini Display Port (iMac) to Thunderbolt Port (Mac Mini) cable?
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by BDAqua,

BDAqua Apr 30, 2015 10:50 PM in response to peachpit15
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Apr 30, 2015 10:50 PM in response to peachpit15

Target Display Mode: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Apple Support
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Q: Connect Mac Mini to iMac

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