3rd monitor option on iMac 2011 21.5-inch?

Question

Level 1

25 points

3rd monitor option on iMac 2011 21.5-inch?

I am using a 21.5-inch, Mid 2011 iMac Intel i5 with 20Gb RAM and have an Apple 30" Cinema display (older silver model) connected with suitable adaptor and it works great..

However I have the option of another 22" Samsung screen which I'd love to add to get 3 screens (as I use 3 programs continuously)

Is this possible at all with the iMac 2011? or indeed connecting off the Apple 30" ? so i can run 3 screens with 3 programs all at once?

Thanks

OS X Mavericks (10.9.5), 21.5-inch, Mid 2011 iM

Posted on May 31, 2015 2:57 PM

Reply

Answer 1

a brody

Level 10

85,314 points

May 31, 2015 5:10 PM in response to pitchfork

Three monitors is a possibility with Matrox hardware.

http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/products/gxm/th2go/displayport/

While Thunderbolt is very fast, it is possible with higher end games you might not get optimal performance adding a third display on. Your mileage may vary.

Reply

Answer 2

pitchfork Author

Level 1

25 points

Jun 1, 2015 2:21 AM in response to a brody

Thanks, so is this the only way to get a 3rd monitor on an iMac?

Or are there less costly solutions at all? ie: a single cable to connect a 3rd Screen?

Reply

Answer 3

Rudegar

Level 10

180,606 points

Jun 1, 2015 7:44 AM in response to pitchfork

there are usb devices which support one to connect a monitor to them and it would be odd if non of those had any OS X drivers

Reply

Answer 4

pitchfork Author

Level 1

25 points

Jun 1, 2015 7:48 AM in response to Rudegar

I have been pointed to the direction of a StarTech.com USB to DVI Adapter External USB Video Graphics Card USB2DVIPRO2?

Apparently this is OS X and uses USB port to connect a DVI-D (which is what I have for my 3rd Monitor)? Surely these would have OS X Drivers to connect or are they plug and play?

Reply

Answer 5

pitchfork Author

Level 1

25 points

Jun 4, 2015 4:47 AM in response to Rudegar

So I am trying out a USB2DVIPRO2 as this is Mac compatible with my iMac 2011 and 30" cinema display

Downloaded all the drivers, installed, and rebooted, then connected Samsung 2233 22" monitor as a 3rd screen via the USB>DVI adaptor.

Monitor is seen in the Display settings on Mac, but I just get a flashing blue light as if its offline (but powered) and not connected and a blank screen?

Any ideas what i'm doing wrong on the Mac side to get this to work as a 3rd Monitor?

Thanks

Reply