Can Mac Mini connect to 2007 iMac?

Question

Can Mac Mini connect to 2007 iMac?

I have an old 2007 iMac that has a Mini DVI port. I've seen in other posts that you can connect a Mac Mini using this port. Is this correct? I've read that I need a Mini DisplayPort-to-DVI Adapter but when I look at these adapters online, I'm unclear as to how they attach to the Mac Mini. See my crude diagram below:

I think the hard drive on my iMac is toast which is why I'd like to connect a Mac Mini to it.

I can't connect the iMac to my new MBP (due to incompatible ports, so I've read) and if I can't connect the Mini to the iMac to at least use it as a screen, what else can I do with the old iMac? I hate to throw it out. Surely it can be used for at least a monitor of some sort, right????

Thanks in advance!

iMac, Mac OS X (10.3.x)

Posted on Jul 21, 2015 10:41 AM

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Answer 1

Allan Jones

Level 9

77,780 points

Jul 21, 2015 10:53 AM in response to Rachel Schenck

Target Display Mode won't work with your iMac. iMacs did not gain that capability until the 2009 models, and then only in the 27-inch version. Staring with the 2011 iMacs, both screen sizes could do this via a ThunderBolt port. This is the Apple overview of that technology with system and hardware requirements:

Use your iMac as a display with Target Display Mode - Apple Support

You can use a software screen-sharing solution but it may not be as fast:

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

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