iMac 27" Target Display Mode Connection Question

[brucem91]

Hello. I am thinking about using my iMac as an external display for my Dell Laptop listed in my sig. Most of the time at home I can work on my iMac, but occasionally I use windows, and I have the dell for that. According to Apple:

"On the 27-inch iMac, the same port offers input, too. So you can connect any external source that has DisplayPort output — including a MacBook or MacBook Pro — and use your iMac as a display."

Does this mean that I should be able to run a DisplayPort to Mini-DisplayPort cable from my Dell to my Mac and use it as an external monitor? I was thinking of picking up one of these cables if it will work:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10246&cs_id=1024606

Thanks

BruceM

 

[Hellhammer]

If your Dell has (Mini) DisplayPort, then all you need is the cable and it should work.

 

[brucem91]

If your Dell has (Mini) DisplayPort, then all you need is the cable and it should work.

Yea, that's what I thought. It's a DisplayPort, not a mini. Since this type of connection is new to me, I just wanted to make sure before I purchase the cable.

Thanks

 

[TSE]

I hate to hijack this thread but it relates to this:

-If the laptop doesn't have a displayport, but something like VGA or HDMI, is this still possible?

 

[brucem91]

I hate to hijack this thread but it relates to this:

-If the laptop doesn't have a displayport, but something like VGA or HDMI, is this still possible?

I tried it via a vga to mini-displayport connection, and it didn't work. Surprisingly though, when I made the connection, my iMac detected that my Dell was an external monitor. I wonder if I could use my Dell Laptop as an external for my iMac.

 

[brucem91]

now unable to connect iMac to external display

Hello, here is an update. After attempting to try vga to mdp for target display mode, my iMac can no longer connect to my external display. My Dell can connect just fine via vga, and my MacBook can connect via the same cable that runs normally from my mac. Anyone know why?

EDIT: Never mind, I got it working. Simple SMC reset worked.

 

[Hellhammer]

I hate to hijack this thread but it relates to this:

-If the laptop doesn't have a displayport, but something like VGA or HDMI, is this still possible?

http://www.atlona.com/Converters-with-DisplayPort-and-Mini-DisplayPort-output/

Quite expensive but it's possible

I tried it via a vga to mini-displayport connection, and it didn't work. Surprisingly though, when I made the connection, my iMac detected that my Dell was an external monitor. I wonder if I could use my Dell Laptop as an external for my iMac.

That cable only works one way, i.e. from mDP to VGA, not vice versa like you tried.

 

[alvize]

Hello, here is an update. After attempting to try vga to mdp for target display mode, my iMac can no longer connect to my external display. My Dell can connect just fine via vga, and my MacBook can connect via the same cable that runs normally from my mac. Anyone know why?

EDIT: Never mind, I got it working. Simple SMC reset worked.

Hello Brucem91, i'd like to to use my imac 27" as external monitor for my Dell Precision m6400 ( laptop ). since you found out how to do it, could you please tell me exactly what kind of adapter and cables i need?
I've got the mdp to vga adapter bought from apple store, i've got a vga cable, and i've got a displayport to vga adapter to plug into dell Display port adapter.
With this configuration it doesn't work ( the imac doesn't recognize the input video signal from dell laptop ) .

Are you able to help me please?
Regards.

alvise

 

[alvize]

Please Bruce91
can you get back to me?...

 

[Flyer53]

Just purchased a Belkin AV360 MiniDisplay Port from the Apple store so I can use the 27 Imac as an external screen from my Gateway windows machine(long story why). Anyways everything went well but the resolution/blurriness is terrible on the windows side. I noticed some posts here in regard to the Atlona AT HD620..would that work better a far as a clearer screen?

Thanks

 

[alvize]

Hello Flyer53
what which video output are you using of the gateway laptop?

 

[Flyer53]

Alvize,
It's a new Gateway desktop running windows 7..it has both a VGA & HDMI out for video source. Just trying to utilize this 27" monitor. Was running pararrels, XP and QB for windows on it..and just to many issues and the hard drive seized up on the mac...Just not a machine thats capable of running both operating systems..even though many are.
Thanks for any thoughts on using it as a monitor for the Gateway.

 

[brucem91]

Hello Brucem91, i'd like to to use my imac 27" as external monitor for my Dell Precision m6400 ( laptop ). since you found out how to do it, could you please tell me exactly what kind of adapter and cables i need?
I've got the mdp to vga adapter bought from apple store, i've got a vga cable, and i've got a displayport to vga adapter to plug into dell Display port adapter.
With this configuration it doesn't work ( the imac doesn't recognize the input video signal from dell laptop ) .

Are you able to help me please?
Regards.

alvise

A VGA adapter will not work between your m6400 and your iMac. I've tried. You will need one of the cables listed on the link below:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10246&cs_id=1024606

All are the same cable, but are just different lengths. If I remember correctly, the M6400 has a diplayport on the side as well, so it should work just fine. What is great is that once the cable is detected, the iMac will automatically switch to display the dell (at least it does for me). You may run into a problem where your iMac screen displays at 800x600, if so let me know.