Using iMac Mid 2010 as a display for my 2017 MacBook Pro

Question

Level 1

8 points

Using iMac Mid 2010 as a display for my 2017 MacBook Pro

According to the Apple instructions I should be able ton use my Mid 2010 iMac (21.5 inch) as a display for my 2017 MacBook Pro. On the https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204592#requirements page it shows it works with either MiniDisplay or Thunderbolt. But it does not... I purchased a Thunderbolt2 to Thunderbolt 2 cable (35 CHF...) and a Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt3/USB-C adapter (38 CHF...) with no result. Nothing happens when I press Command F2. Where is the problem ? Thank you for your help.

MacBook Pro with Touch Bar

Posted on Jul 29, 2019 2:58 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Jul 29, 2019 3:22 AM in response to yvesmagat

The 2010 iMac does not have Thunderbolt interface so using any

Thunderbolt cable will not work.

What you need is a 3rd party generic USB-C to Mini DisplayPort adapter.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=usb-c+to+mini+displayport+adapter&crid=1CSHF72E42SN5&sprefix=usb-c+to+mini+disp%2Caps%2C140&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_18

You then need a MiniDisplay Port cable (not Thunderbolt).

The various knowledge base articles really need to be updated to

reflect this.

On the Thunderbolt3 to Thunderbolt2 adapter page it states:

Reply

Answer 2

yvesmagat Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 29, 2019 3:45 AM in response to woodmeister50

OK. Thank you for your help. What is confusing is that on the Apple site both Thunderbolt and Minidisplay should work:

And the adapter, not only the cable, should be MiniDisplay and not Thunderbolt ?

Bye.

Reply

Answer 3

Allan Jones

Level 9

71,822 points

Jul 29, 2019 7:29 AM in response to yvesmagat

What is confusing is that on the Apple site both Thunderbolt and Minidisplay should work:

The chart says a 2010 21.5-inch iMac does not support target display mode. Note that support for the smaller screen size did not start until the following year (third line in your screenshot). Originally TDM was unique to only the 27-inch iMacs, including 2010 products, so your will not work that way.

Reply

Answer 4

rkaufmann87

Level 10

143,392 points

Jul 29, 2019 8:24 AM in response to yvesmagat

Allan Jones is 100% correct a 21.5" 2010 iMac will NOT work in Target Display Mode, if it was a 27" model it would work assuming you got the correct cabling which you did not.

Reply