Level 1

17 points

Can I Use iMac As Monitor For Mac Mini ?

My imac 2017 has an issue.first of all Ventura is the last Os that will work on this hardware according to apple.

then there is a problem.when i mac is on sleep ,sometimes doesn't wake up.i disconnect a usb hub and the ethernet but still no reaction.

i force to end its operation by the energy button.and then i restart my imac and everything is fine.also in random timelines i hear a gling-metal noise like 2 coins are dropping into a slot which i read here that might be the hard disc going to failure.

so i was thinking of saving the screen of my imac and use it for a new mac mini .if its possible to connect the 2 devices together and work.

i found this article.its about a connection between an imac 's screen and a pc. and i thought that if it really works with a pc then it should work with a mac mini.

[Edited by Moderator]

iMac 21.5″, macOS 13.7

Posted on Jan 16, 2025 1:16 PM

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Servant of Cats

Level 7

34,337 points

Posted on Jan 16, 2025 2:25 PM

If that Mac was working, you could use it as a second screen using Luna Display (Astropad). That workaround is not as good as a hardware connection to a real display – and the Astropad site itself says that Luna Display is not suitable for high-motion content such as from gaming or video editing.

However, if the iMac is failing, there's no guarantee that it would even work with Luna Display. It has bo be able to run, to run the Luna Display software.

It sounds like you need to buy a real monitor for the new Mac mini.

I know of only three 27" 5120x2880 (5K) monitors on the market – the Apple Studio Display, one from LG, and one from Samsung. The LG and Samsung ones list for more than $1000, but often sell for a street price of about $800 to $950, making them less expensive than the $1600+ Studio Display.

If you're willing to compromise a bit on the resolution, there are plenty of 27" 3840x2160 (4K) monitors – and you can get some with IPS panels and near-100% coverage of sRGB for as little as $300 - $350.

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36 replies

Jan 22, 2025 4:29 PM in response to macman1585

macman1585 wrote:

energy (orange box with white bulb)> put hard disk in sleep mode whenever is possible, I DEACTIVATED THAT

> activate power nap , I DEACTIVATED THAT

> wake up from sleep mode for internet access, i left it ACTIVATED

displays> prevent automatic sleep mode when screen is deactivated, I DEACTIVATED THAT

In other words, you told the computer it was OK to put the entire computer to sleep when the screen was not in use?

Set sleep and wake settings for your Mac - Apple Support (desktop computer section):

Stop automatic sleeping when the display is off: Turn on “Prevent automatic sleeping when the display is off”.

conclusion.with the hub disconnected ,certainly that wasn't the cause. sleep mode no more, so that wasn't the cause either.

To the contrary, you told the computer that it was OK to go to sleep.

macman1585 Author

Level 1

17 points

Jan 26, 2025 1:05 AM in response to Servant of Cats

i fixed that setting.so no sleep mode.

to resume now there is that thing with the gling coin noise.that could be a hard disc thing.i dont know if there is another cause.

also with no sleep mode anymore, and only dark screen setting on,we have to see if there will be a loss of bluetooth going from dark to normal screen when i press the keys or mouse.

i will keep you posted ...

macman1585 Author

Level 1

17 points

Jan 31, 2025 11:56 AM in response to macman1585

ok,guys it seems like everything is running fine..

i know its too soon but no gling noises yet and coming back from dark screen is easy with no problems yet too..

i would like to ask you..i turn on the mac every morning and terminate it every night ,about midnight.should i do that or leave it on with just dark screen setting? i mean is it bad for the hard discs every morning when my mac is on ?

i know there is a lot of debate on internet and on this forum opinions vary.so what do you do? what do you think is right?

Old Toad

Level 10

215,316 points

Jan 31, 2025 2:21 PM in response to macman1585

I'm old school and turn it off at night and back on in the morning. I do that as it clears the system and application temporary and swap caches. They can be damaged/corrupted sometimes and can adversely affect system and/or application performance. But, in this day and age I think I'm in the minority.

Jan 16, 2025 5:06 PM in response to Servant of Cats

Servant of Cats wrote:

I wonder how that Asus ProArt PA27JCV connects…

macman1585 Author

Level 1

17 points

Jan 21, 2025 12:18 AM in response to Servant of Cats

ok,i found that and in my os is in the OFF position too. do we want it to be OFF?

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Can I Use iMac As Monitor For Mac Mini ?