Connecting old iMac to new Mac Mini to use as Mac Mini's Monitor

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Level 1

5 points

Connecting old iMac to new Mac Mini to use as Mac Mini's Monitor

I want to connect a 2013 27" iMac(running High Sierra) to a 2020 M1 equipped Mac Mini(running Big Sur) to use as the Mac Mini's monitor. I would like to have the sound from the Mac Mini come out the iMac's speakers. I would like to send the video and the audio from the iMacs built-in microphone and built-in i-Sight camera to the Mac Mini for attending Zoom meetings using the Mac Mini.

What cable would I need to connect the two computers together to do this? Is it possible to send video and audio from the older iMac's camera and microphone to the newer Mac Mini for Zoom meetings, etc?

Tallwes

Mac mini 2018 or later

Posted on Apr 2, 2021 3:07 PM

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Answer 1

Apr 3, 2021 4:37 AM in response to Tallwes

NO 2020 Mac or newer can connect to an iMac in Target Display Mode.

Per this article:

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

"You can connect any of these older iMac models to

another Mac from 2019 or earlier for use as an external display."

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Answer 2

Axel Foley

Level 10

149,370 points

Apr 2, 2021 7:52 PM in response to Tallwes

There is such a thing as Target Display Mode. By using this feature one can use specific iMac models as external display(s) with another Mac. Note: Target Display Mode isn’t supported on iMac models with Retina display. Only iMac (27-inch, Late 2009), iMac (27-inch, Mid 2010), and iMac (Mid 2011 to Mid 2014) support Target Display Mode. Your 2013 27-inch iMac is NOT supported.

In my opinion, you cannot achieve your target with the equipment that you have. There are other solutions available when you do a Google search. Those solutions are not efficient and therefore not ideal. All of those solutions require the user to install software on both devices and then the software connects to the devices using the existing Wi-Fi Network. The result involves noticeable lag on the second Mac. Usually not a pleasant experience.

Axel F.

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Answer 3

Tallwes Author

Level 1

5 points

Apr 2, 2021 10:09 PM in response to Axel Foley

I find this confusing? You said that "iMac (Mid 2011 to Mid 2014) support Target Display Mode", which includes the year 2013. Then you said in the next sentence "Your 2013 27-inch iMac is NOT supported." Huh? Which is it?

Tallwes

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Answer 4

Tallwes Author

Level 1

5 points

Apr 3, 2021 11:23 AM in response to Tallwes

I have a Panasonic Plasma TV 1080p resolution. Its an older set from around 2009 vintage. It has HDMI ports. Is it possible to connect a 2020 M1 Mac Mini to this set for the time been. If so, what kind of HDMI cable will I need? If sound can be sent from the Mac Mini to the TV's speakers, what HDMI cable will I need to allow the Mac Mini's sound to come from the TV's speakers?

Tallwes

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