2017 iMac 27 connecting to external displays

That's great! I am so enjoying the 5k 27 flanked by two ACD 23inchers. Honestly tho, they look a little long in the tooth after 10+ years! But for email screens, Activity Monitor and such, it's fine.

I have a bit of a thing about keeping old hardware and software in service till it literally gives up their ghost. Apple gear really lasts I can attest to that. I love to fire up one of those 17in Powerbooks - that was a hardware high point for sure!!

Thanks for this, I have used this cable to connect my 2017 iMac to my 2009 iMac. I bought the stupid USB-C to Thunderbolt 2 adapter and tried using the Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 2 cable to connect the two, but nothing! What a waste of a WAY over priced adapter!

Just wanted to chime in and say the StarTech USB C to DVI Adapter (CDP2DVIW) didn’t work with my 27” iMac (2017) and Dell 23" S2340M.

Previously I was using the Dell with a 27” Mid-2010 iMac and a StarTech Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter (MDP2DVIW). No issues there.

I’ve reseated the cables and adapter, powered the monitor off and on and restarted my Mac (including a safe boot) but it will not see the monitor.

I then picked up an Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 adapter to use with the DisplayPort to DVI Adapter. Again … nothing. At least I can return it ($59 CDN. Ugh.)

I’m going to try a few other cables that others have reported having success with. This really seems to be a hit or miss thing, and it shouldn’t be.

I have the identical iMac setup. Im trying to connect my Benq RGB photo monitor. Ive bought the Thurderbolt C to display port cable but the Benq monitor is dead. System preferences only shows the native 5k monitor. Did you learn anything that could help me. I would appreciate any help.

I suspect the Apple store staff are not fully up to speed on all the adapters and this particular issue with the 2017 iMacs. They recommended the TB2 to TB3 adapter.

I did contact StarTech and they were unable to diagnose.

The USB-C to HDMI adapters get mixed reviews on Amazon, with a few people saying it didn't work with their 2017 iMacs. I'll keep this bookmarked, however. I have two more cables arriving tonight. It's a crap shoot, and I'm hoping one of them will work. If not, I'll be contacting Apple support. From what I understand, they do not read the forums. Perhaps if enough of us complain, they'll address the issue.

The Belkin adapter does specifically say it supports the 2017 iMac.

"COMPATIBILITY

Google Chromebook Pixel

MacBook Pro (2016)

iMac (2017)

Dell XPS 13”

Another combination that should work (does not need DisplayPort ALT mode) is a USB-C to Mini DisplayPort adapter followed by an ACTIVE Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter.

Malcolm J. Rayfield wrote:

The Belkin adapter does specifically say it supports the 2017 iMac.

"COMPATIBILITY

Google Chromebook Pixel

MacBook Pro (2016)

iMac (2017)

Dell XPS 13”

Another combination that should work (does not need DisplayPort ALT mode) is a USB-C to Mini DisplayPort adapter followed by an ACTIVE Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter.

I have two more products arriving tonight:

USB-C to DVI - Cable

TNP USB Type C (USB-C) to DVI 1080P Cable Converter Adapter (6FT) - USB-C 3.1 Male to DVI Female High Speed 1080P Video …

USB-C to DVI - Adapter

ICZI USB 3.1 Type C (USB-C & Thunderbolt 3 Port Compatible) to DVI Adapter 1080P Supported for MacBook and Google Chrome…

If none of these work, then I will move onto your other suggestions below:

OPTION 1

Belkin USB-C to HDMI Adapter

http://www.belkin.com/us/F2CU038-Belkin/p/P-F2CU038/

(I couldn’t find the Belkin shipping from anywhere in Canada. Amazon.ca does have StarTech USB-C to HDMI Adapters but they do not specifically mention 2017 iMacs.)

HDMI to DVI Adapter

https://www.amazon.ca/AmazonBasics-HDMI-DVI-Adapter-Cable/dp/B014I8UL8U/ref=sr_1 _2_m?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1502893339&sr=1-2&keywords=HDMI%2Bto%2BDVI%2Badap ter&th=1

OPTION 2

USB-C to Mini DisplayPort Adapter

https://www.amazon.ca/ARKTEK-DisplayPort-Supported-ChromeBook-Aluminium/dp/B072K RL6TH/ref=sr_1_1_m?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1502893157&sr=1-1&keywords=USB-C+to +Mini+DisplayPort+adapter

Active Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter

https://www.amazon.ca/Startech-Com-MDP2DVIS-Display-Active-Adapter/dp/B004SUELLC ?th=1

SUCCESS!!!!

This adapter worked with my Dell S2340M and my 27" iMac (2017) ...

USB-C to DVI - Adapter

ICZI USB 3.1 Type C (USB-C & Thunderbolt 3 Port Compatible) to DVI Adapter 1080P Supported for MacBook and Google Chromebook Pixel and More

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01MU5ND2H/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF 8&psc=1

Has anyone gotten an Apple Thunderbolt Display to work with the 2017 iMacs? I have tried two different Thunderbolt 3 to 2 adaptors and no dice. Would a Thunderbolt 3 to mini-displayport adaptor work with a thunderbolt display? Has anyone tried this?

Hey guys - I have a Dell 27" monitor that worked for my 2013 iMac, but wouldn't work for the 27" I got last week. I bought a different cable than mentioned. It's an Amazon Cable Matters that is HDMI-Thunderbolt3/USB C. No matter what I tried nothing.

I called Apple Support and what they recommended WORKED. Here is what we did for my situation.

1. Power down your Mac.

2. Wait for it to completely power down, then unplug it for 30 seconds.

3. Plug it back in.

4. As you turn on the computer, hold down CMD-Option-P-R (yes, the keyboard letters P and R; 4 keys at same time).

The computer may make a sound, and if so, wait for 2 tones then release.

Oila! I'm up and running with my external monitor!

Jeff

I got that exact cable, and when I turn my iMac on or wake it from sleep, the main display and external both blink a few times before coming back on and kicking any windows I had on the external to the main.

I'm using a LG 27UD69P 4K monitor, and the display is great... just those screen blanks are annoying.

Trying a usb-c to hdmi adapter from amazon and trying the Apple usb-c to hdmi adapter today too. Will report it on results.

Ok, so went and got the Apple Brand Multiport adapter and tried the HDMI and USB-C port, both had the screen blanks going on during startup and login.

So, went with a 3rd option, the https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XNWLP89/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UT F8&psc=1 cable which is USB-C to HDMI and it works!

So, mileage may vary it seems with the cables (or is it Apple <-- yes), so for anyone googling this or whatever, these are my results for hooking up a 2017 iMac 27" to an external display via USB-C (Thunderbolt 3) to an HDMI cable, ultimately driving an LG 27UD69P (great monitor!).

Edit: The cable I mention in the first post is the CHOETECH USB-C to DisplayPort Adapter Cable 4Kx2K@60Hz (4ft/1.2m) for 2017 iMac, 2017 to clear up any confusion on what paths I took.

I just brought the same cable (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0744GWJ8X) to connect my iMac 2017 to a Dell U2913WM and it works. Only issue I have is power. If I manually power down the Dell monitor, it wont turn back on unless lead is disconnected or the imac is off.

Has anyone had luck connecting the 27" Apple Thunderbolt display to the new iMac 2017 as a second monitor? If so, which adaptor has worked? If anyone has some opinions on good 27" monitors that can mesh well aesthetically with the iMac, connect reliably for ~$500 please let me know! Leaning toward an old Thunderbolt display but wanted to see if anyone has connected it and if there are better options out there! Thanks!

I had this same problem after buying an Insignia USB Type-C-to-HDMI Adapter from Best Buy to connect my old monitor to my new iMac 2017. It worked until the first time the computer went into sleep mode. Then not at all. After trying various things, Apple Support recommended I take my LG monitor (which was several years old) to the Genius Bar and try it. We had the same problem there until we replaced the Insignia adapter with one from the Apple store. However, after viewing the LG 4k monitors at the Apple store, I was sold. It was just a matter of plugging in the new monitor. Everything is working perfectly and I love having two 4k displays. It was expensive, but I am happy with my decision. Praises for the patience given to me from Apple telephone support and the Genius Bar. Best Buy gave me a full refund on the adapter.