While I have a MacBook Air M1, I’ve never found a monitor that would fit into the aesthetic of my apartment so I have been dreaming of getting an iMac. Unfortunately I need to use my terrible Dell work laptop almost every day at home (thanks, Covid) and I’m unable to work on that tiny screen so I need an external monitor. I’ve been dreaming of iMacs getting target display mode again for years. Any chance it’s happening with the models that were just released?
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Any new chance the new iMacs finally have target display mode again?
- Thread starter krapidler
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You could get a Late 2009 or Mid 2010 27" iMac, and just use it as a monitor in Target Display Mode. It won't be 4K, but it will look great.
You can sometimes find old iMacs for a decent price, less than a monitor of equal quality.
I am not in the camp saying no chance, as the rumor was that Target Display Mode was originally removed from the 4K and 5K iMacs due to technical limitations of the TB2 ports. TB3 removed those limitations, and Apple didn't bring it back then, so probably a really low chance of it coming back with the new iMacs, but again, it is silly to say no chance at all.
Prior to Target Display Mode in the Late 2009 iMacs, people would have probably said zero chance of a feature like that being added to iMacs, but it happened.
Prior to Target Display Mode in the Late 2009 iMacs, people would have probably said zero chance of a feature like that being added to iMacs, but it happened.
Not disputing those who think this won't happen, but Apple NEEDS to re-introduce target display mode if they are serious about the environment. I am ready to upgrade my 27" iMac this year (assuming we see new ones) and multiple family members are interested in the new 24" iMacs, but all of them occasionally have a need to use the iMac as a display for another computer.
If you're reading this and want this to happen, I hope you'll let Apple know at feedback@apple.com.
If you're reading this and want this to happen, I hope you'll let Apple know at feedback@apple.com.
Apple had a focus group look into TDM and they decided that it wouldn't have much of an impact if they removed it and it would save a few dollars that could be better spent on bonuses for their executives.
My first Mac was an iMac, and I'm currently using an iMac. I'll be upgrading at some point, but the two main reasons it is unlikely to be an iMac are the poor ergonomics (a 27" iMac has no height adjustment and is too high for me, eyes should be level with the top of the screen), and the lack of TDM. I am increasingly aware I have a fantastic screen on my iMac, but it is no longer fast enough as a computer. I hate that waste, and lack of flexibility to connect a laptop, and the inability for my current iMac to become the second screen for a new iMac (I would have upgraded before now if that was the case).
I doubt TDM will return, but it could be done now with the Thunderbolt advances, plus it would sell more Macs.
I doubt TDM will return, but it could be done now with the Thunderbolt advances, plus it would sell more Macs.
If we ever see TDM on a new iMac, the champagne's on me folks! Seriously though, as much as I loved using TDM (it saved my bacon more than once with backups and cloning) it just ain't going to happen again.
Beyond the connection issues of the past, TDM was not terribly elegant when it came to energy consumption. Sure, it saved resources by repurposing a computer and could be used as a temporary solution. With the new iMac, I don’t see this as an issue.
For reasons that likely don’t make sense, sadly I doubt it’s coming back or they likely would’ve advertised it. It would be really fantastic over a single USB cable though. It could charge an iPad or laptop, and use the iMac’s speaker and camera too…wishful thinking.
I could be wrong, but I think you are confusing Target Disk Mode for Target Display Mode.
Also, Target Disk Mode still works, even for AS Macs. Although, for AS Macs accessing the internal drive isn't as simple nor quick as it is with Intel Macs.
Is this a guess or did you read this somewhere?
I have read multiple places saying the removal of Target Display Mode was due to a HW limitation with TB2 and the 4k/5k displays. TB3 fixed HW limitation problem, but Apple never reintroduced it for some reason.
I would just buy a 4K Oled TV to hang on the wall instead of a small screen iMac. Cheaper, bigger, more vivid than any iMac ever built.
Yeah, I also really wish laptops supported TDM type of thing so that they could be used as portable monitors temporarily..