Using old 12.5" iMac 2010 as the screen for a Macbook Pro 13" 2015

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Using old 12.5" iMac 2010 as the screen for a Macbook Pro 13" 2015

Hello

I have a perfectly functioning macbook pro 13'' 2015 model, but thanks to my darling toddler the screen is having colour issues. I have an old iMac 2010 21.5" in good condition and I was wanting to use it as a replacement screen (not as an extra display)

I know that my iMac doesnt have a displayport so it cant be used as an extra/extended display, however I was wondering if there was a way to use it as the only display i.e. mirror my macbook pro screen.

Also if this is possible, can I do it with the lid closed on the macbook pro?

Thanks in advance.

MacBook Pro

Posted on Sep 16, 2021 3:26 AM

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Answer 1

Sep 16, 2021 6:27 AM in response to SDCJ

So long as the MacBook Pro 2015 is running on an older macOS version (Catalina is the newest), and the iMac 2010 is on an older version (High Sierra is the newest), you can probably use it as an external display, given the right chain of cables and dongles to get a mini DisplayPort connection working..

Some reading:

Use your iMac as a display with target display mode - Apple Support

Connect a display to your Mac - Apple Support

“Clamshell mode” might interest, too: If you use an external keyboard and mouse with your Mac notebook, you can close the built-in display after you connect your external display. You might have to press a key or click your mouse to wake the external display.

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