Q: New 5K iMac not compatible with MBP
New 5K iMac not compatible with MBP
Good morning,
I've been using a Mac Book Pro for around 7 years and have had my current machine for 2 years.I have always used an external monitor with my MBP so I can work with two screens, useful as I do a lot of typesetting. I've always just added on a cheap PC monitor which has worked sufficiently. However, recently, I've been thinking of upgrading to a more powerful machine and thought that maybe now was the time to move to a desktop and have this as my primary machine, using the MBP alongside it.
When in the shop yesterday (PC World), I specifically asked whether I would use the iMac along side my MBP and use the MBP as an external monitor. I had read on one review that it wasn't possible to use the iMac as a second screen to the MBP but found no evidence of the reverse and was assured it was possible.
I have successfully used Migration Assistant to make my new iMac a perfect copy of my MBP using a thunderbolt cable. However, when trying to see the iMac on the MBP I am getting nowhere. They are just not talking to each other. On further research online, I'm seeing that it does indeed look like it's not possible. However, I've just plugged in my 5 year old Compaq monitor to the iMac and have a successful 2 screen configuration.
So, am I missing something, has anyone successfully connected their new 5K iMac to their MBP and if so, how?
I'm feeling like I've been misold the wrong product, if I'd known this was an issue, I'd have bought the 4k 21" machine, which I believe works perfectly this way (but please correct me if I am wrong)
Thanks for any advice.
M
iMac with Retina 5K display, OS X El Capitan (10.11.1)
Posted on Dec 29, 2015 2:32 AM