Roger Barre

Q: Can I use my 12" Retina MacBook as a Target Display for a Mac Mini?

I'm thinking of getting a MacMini, but since my 5K iMac won't work as a Target Display, I'm wondering if I can use my 12" Retina MacBook in Target Display mode for the MacMini.

 

(I'd rather not have to buy a monitor just for the MacMini, which will be used as a server, and will seldom need a monitor.)

MacBook, OS X El Capitan (10.11.4)

Posted on Sep 19, 2016 4:13 PM

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Q: Can I use my 12" Retina MacBook as a Target Display for a Mac Mini?

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  • by Niel,

    Niel Niel Sep 19, 2016 4:18 PM in response to Roger Barre
    Level 10 (314,412 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 19, 2016 4:18 PM in response to Roger Barre

    No. The MacBook doesn’t have a dedicated video-in system, and the methods of doing it over a network require a standalone monitor to set up or for troubleshooting.

     

    (144755)

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Sep 20, 2016 2:09 AM in response to Roger Barre
    Level 6 (14,567 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 20, 2016 2:09 AM in response to Roger Barre

    You may be able to locate a good or very good display for use with the

    Mac Mini for next to nothing. For $60 I found a local Apple 20-in Cinema

    aluminum display that does well enough. Several cheap PC displays are

    always on sale in places such as craigslist or in some secondhand shop.

    Even good brands; ones you could re-gift or store away until needed later.

     

    Oh, there also is a 'headless adapter' to put into the display port to help

    the Mini run better when there is no display attached. I thought OWC had

    one in their online inventory. Not sure now where it was.

     

    As I have a Mini server, but don't use it as such, I pay some attention...