Can use the screen of my current iMac 27 inch Intel Retina 5k with a Mac Mini?

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Can use the screen of my current iMac 27 inch Intel Retina 5k with a Mac Mini?

Hi I have current iMac 27 inch Intel Retina 5k (2019) and am looking to upgrade. I will likey use Vision Pro as my working monitor, but wondered if I could use the screen from my iMac 27 inch Intel Retina 5k (2019) for those times when I just need to access fast. Is there a way to connect it and if so can I use the iMacs drive as an external drive as well? Wont get anything as trade in and selling won't net much either!!! Seems a waste!

Earlier Mac models

Posted on Nov 10, 2024 2:58 PM

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Answer 1

Nov 10, 2024 8:24 PM in response to stevendover

Note that your iMac is new enough that you could set it up as an AirPlay display for a new Mac mini – i.e., set it up as an AirPlay Receiver for AirPlay to Mac.

Continuity features and requirements for Apple devices - Apple Support

This would let you use the iMac as a second screen – not as your main one. You would still need a real standalone display for the Mac mini.

Since AirPlay is not as good as a hardware connection to a real monitor, you might find the results unacceptable. I don't believe that AirPlay supports the full 5K resolution of your iMac, and there could be lags and artifacts. Still, if you have already purchased compatible Macs for purposes other than using AirPlay to Mac, it costs nothing to play with the feature.

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Answer 2

varjak paw

Level 10

178,102 points

Nov 10, 2024 3:29 PM in response to stevendover

You cannot use your iMac's screen effectively as a display for your mini. Neither system will support Target Display Mode, and while there are third-party solutions such as Luna Display, they're ill-suited for anything that involves fast motion or that would be negatively affected by significant lag. You'd be much happier, I think, just getting an external monitor.

As to using your iMac's drive, yes, you can use either Target Disk Mode or file sharing. But again, you may be better off just getting an external drive. You can get a 1TB USB drive for under $60 US.

Regards.

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Answer 3

Nov 10, 2024 8:02 PM in response to stevendover

A 2019 27" 5K Retina iMac is a very capable machine. It has a great screen (Apple wants $1599 for a similar standalone one), a good selection of expansion ports (Thunderbolt 3 and USB 3.0), user-expandable RAM, and the ability to run anything from Mojave (the last version of macOS that supports 32-bit applications) to the latest version of macOS (Sequoia).

If you don't want it, I'm sure that someone will be willing to take it off your hands. Maybe a relative, a friend, or charity who would appreciate a free computer? I believe that Other World Computing also buys used Macs … I don't know if they pay good prices for them, but you could check with them and find out.

If you do sell it, give it away, trade it in, or recycle it, please be sure to prepare it properly for its next owner.

What to do before you sell, give away, trade in, or recycle your Mac - Apple Support

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