Hello everyone,
Can I use iMac 5K 2015 27” inch as a monitor for MacBook Pro M1/M2 Max?
Please help me
Can I use iMac 5K 2015 27” inch as a monitor for MacBook Pro M1/M2 Max?
Please help me
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Imac 5k 2015 as monitor for macbook pro m1/m2 max.
- Thread starter maorattias
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Not directly (I.e. not supported by Apple). There are some app-based solutions you can search for.
What apps?
I wonder if it works and play like regular screen without any delays.?
Definitely not. Using an app like like Duet Display will introduce some latency and potentially things like compression artifacts. You may not notice however but it won't be exactly the same as a native display. You can also look into something like the Luna Display dongle.
Another more extreme option is to mod your iMac just to be a display. There are kits on AliExpress where you replace the guts of your iMac with bits allowing you to use it as a monitor. Obviously you'd lose the ability to use it as a computer and it takes some faith in your technical skills. This would let it work exactly as a monitor however.
I think which one you want depends on your specific model and the panel inside, but here's an example. I would highly recommend doing your own research. I haven't personally done it. Might be good to check out this thread:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/diy-5k-monitor-success.2253100/
You can also watch this video to get an idea of the process:
DIY 5K universal R1811 V.4 Driver Board Transform Your iMac with R1811 Driver Board: Unleash the 5K Screen Potential!
Unlock the full potential of your iMac A1419 A2115 with the revolutionary R1811 Driver Board! If your iMac's motherboard has been damaged, don't worry – the R1811 Driver Board is here to save the day. With this innovative solution, you can convert your iMac's high-quality 27-inch LM270QQ1 or...
StoneTaskin 5K Driver Board U49 For iMac 27 inches A1419 A2115 LM270QQ
For creating a good consumer experience, please confirm your LCD/LED Screen part number before ordering. If you're a wholesale/distributor in your country please contact us for a better price and the best logistic options...
can I still use the iMac computer and press a button to change the source of the iMac from monitor to the iMac computer ssd?
Yes, if you are skilled enough.
The kit has 2 DisplayPort 1.4 inputs to accommodate 2 computers at the same time.
When doing the hack, the 5k LCD will act as external display for the iMac 2015.
You will have to drill several holes to get 1 cable out (to connect to the M2) and 1 cable back in (from the iMac 2015 logicboard to the LCD kit).
There are some critical issues to solve as well, like
1. How to get 12V line to power the kit
2. How to get decent cables to achieve 5k resolution, etc.
For myself the solutions I’ve found were all too laggy. I abandoned ship and bought a Studio display. It’s fine. Would have preferred to keep using the iMac display but it’s gone to a good home. They’re running Windows on it where the children use it for schoolwork.
Quote @Nguyen Duc Hieu:
Yes, if you are skilled enough.
The kit has 2 DisplayPort 1.4 inputs to accommodate 2 computers at the same time.
When doing the hack, the 5k LCD will act as external display for the iMac 2015.
You will have to drill several holes to get 1 cable out (to connect to the M2) and 1 cable back in (from the iMac 2015 logicboard to the LCD kit).
Hi Not sure I'm following the above - two critical issues which are unsolvable AFAIK.
1. A 2015 iMac only gets 5K connected to a DIY monitor with dual-DP 1.2 cables. A single cable only works at low resolution.
2. An iMac logic board won't function properly if it's not directly connected to its internal screen panel. It needs to read the screen panel temperature, and if it doesn't get this feedback the CPU goes into extremely low power mode.
I'm NOT trying to dissuade anyone from doing the iMac DIY monitor conversion - the results are excellent.
But trying to be too clever with the conversion mostly doesn't work...
Yes, if you are skilled enough.
The kit has 2 DisplayPort 1.4 inputs to accommodate 2 computers at the same time.
When doing the hack, the 5k LCD will act as external display for the iMac 2015.
You will have to drill several holes to get 1 cable out (to connect to the M2) and 1 cable back in (from the iMac 2015 logicboard to the LCD kit).
Hi Not sure I'm following the above - two critical issues which are unsolvable AFAIK.
1. A 2015 iMac only gets 5K connected to a DIY monitor with dual-DP 1.2 cables. A single cable only works at low resolution.
2. An iMac logic board won't function properly if it's not directly connected to its internal screen panel. It needs to read the screen panel temperature, and if it doesn't get this feedback the CPU goes into extremely low power mode.
I'm NOT trying to dissuade anyone from doing the iMac DIY monitor conversion - the results are excellent.
But trying to be too clever with the conversion mostly doesn't work...
1. We are not talking about the iMac 2015. We are talking about the LCD panel which originated from an iMac 2015. There are 2 eDP socket on the LCD panel T-con board, there are also 2 eDP socket on the LCD driver kit.
Old LCD driver kit need to be connected with 2 DP 1.2 port.
New LCD driver kit need only 1 DP 1.4 port to achieve 5k resolution.
How can you connect the signal source to DP 1.4 is on the source and cable side, not the LCD driver kit side.
2. As you said, an iMac 2015 needs to read from the temperature sensor attached to the back of the LCD panel, so it doesn't need to be attached to the LCD panel by the flat eDP cables. And in this mod, you still keep the LCD Panel thermal sensor connected so the iMac will function properly.
If you mean:
Can I keep using my iMac 2015 as a working computer AND can I add an AliExpress board to use it as a monitor to add external ports which I can connect to my M1/2 laptop to view the laptop’s output on the iMac’s screen?
No.
The AliExpress boards only work if you disconnect the iMacs internal logic board from the screen.
The iMac’s internal computer goes into very low power mode if it is not connected to its screen.
Technical reasons here towards the end:
Can I keep using my iMac 2015 as a working computer AND can I add an AliExpress board to use it as a monitor to add external ports which I can connect to my M1/2 laptop to view the laptop’s output on the iMac’s screen?
No.
The AliExpress boards only work if you disconnect the iMacs internal logic board from the screen.
The iMac’s internal computer goes into very low power mode if it is not connected to its screen.
Technical reasons here towards the end:
5K iMac: Creating an external display with a server inside
With the resolution of the 5k iMac saga, I was left with a beautiful iMac15,1 sitting on my desk. Throughout my testings with the machine, I would use AirPlay to Mac as a substitute for a proper external display. However, due to limitations with macOS, this was not ideal:
khronokernel.com
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