I have an imac 27" using OS Monterey 12.7.6 and it was bought new in 2016, so now can no longer update OS. If I buy a mac book or other could I use my 27" as a monitor?
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
iMac 27″, macOS 12.7
Not using Target Display Mode. Target Display Mode went away when Apple released the first 27" 5K Retina iMac in Late 2014, so your iMac is too new to have it. Apple also added restrictions such that no current Mac support using any iMac as a Target Display.
Reference: Use your iMac as a display with target display mode - Apple Support
Your iMac is also too old to act as an AirPlay Receiver for AirPlay to Mac. There may be third-party applications that you can buy to let you AirPlay to it – probably at a maximum resolution of 1920x1080. But the AirPlay Receiver code built into macOS would require an iMac introduced in 2019 or later.
Reference: Continuity features and requirements for Apple devices - Apple Support
That leaves third-party workarounds, such as Luna Display. Luna Display might let you reuse that iMac aa a second display, but you'd still need at least one real monitor (e.g., the laptop's built-in screen), and there are some compromises:
Astropad Blog – How to Use Your iMac as a Monitor: A Step-by-Step Guide [2025]
"Like any product, Luna Display does have limitations and it’s not recommended for high-motion content. For example, I wouldn’t recommend using Luna Display for gaming or video editing.
Since Luna Display is squeezing a 5K display through a USB cable, when lots of motion occurs on-screen (like from video playback or moving a window quickly) the screen can temporarily become pixelated before it renders in at full resolution."
Airplay to Mac would require that your iMac be 2019 or newer:
Continuity features and requirements for Apple devices - Apple Support
From posted videos, Airplay to Mac looks laggy, just like the after-market "re-use your iMac" schemes.
A free-standing external monitor is your best choice for performance, resolution, and full video options.
cbbt wrote:
I have an imac 27" using OS Monterey 12.7.6 and it was bought new in 2016, so now can no longer update OS. If I buy a mac book or other could I use my 27" as a monitor?
Only if you can airplay to your 27” so if it can receive airplay then you can airplay from your MacBook to the monitor. if you get a MacBook Pro, you can connect the two visa HDMI.
But the monitor is not needed, because laptops come with a built in screen and keyboard.
Thank you for your help.
Can I use my iMac 27" as a monitor for a MacBook?
