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Is there a way to use an iMac as a monitor for a PC?
- Thread starter TH55
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Some older iMacs supports a feature called Target Display Mode: https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/mh30822/mac
If hers isn't one of those, I don't think there is any good way to achieve it.
If hers isn't one of those, I don't think there is any good way to achieve it.
This. Note also, you must use the cables that Apple mentions - which is either a straight Thunderbolt - Thunderbolt cable, or a MDP - MDP cable. MDP - DP may also work with a PC.
You can try to make your iMAC the driver by using Microsoft Remote Desktop. It requires both computers to be on the same network and firewalls allow software access to each other. If you make the app full screen, it's almost like being on a windows system. So nuances with the keyboard shortcuts but they are easy to learn.
Can you post what iMac your sister has?
While I have never tried it, I think that the 27" Late 2009 and 27" Mid 2010 iMacs can be used as a monitor for PCs using the Mini Display Port in Target Display Mode. The newer Thunderbolt models will not work with PCs in Target Display Mode, IIRC.
I believe every Remote Desktop solution and the likes will introduce noticeable amount of lag and decrease the image quality. If the iMac is intended to be used as some kind of secondary display, these kinds of solutions might work well enough. But I don't think they are viable solution for a primary display.
I find that on a local LAN segment, which is typically what you have with home networks, there is little lag time. I don't notice it.
I don't use my PC (ThinkPad) to do any significant graphics. The display works fine with PowerPoint and business graphics in general. It does depend on the workload.
I have only used Apple's own screen sharing between two Macs on a Wi-Fi network. It lags quite a lot. Especially scrolling is kind of a rubber band experience.
But the way how these Remote Desktop solutions works, versus how normal connection between graphics card and a display works, it's inevitable that there is at least some more lag and the image quality is unlikely to be original with Remote Desktop solutions. Wether the lag or reduced image quality is a problem depends of course on number of things. For example playing fast paced games would probably be a bad idea, while text editing might be just fine.
But the way how these Remote Desktop solutions works, versus how normal connection between graphics card and a display works, it's inevitable that there is at least some more lag and the image quality is unlikely to be original with Remote Desktop solutions. Wether the lag or reduced image quality is a problem depends of course on number of things. For example playing fast paced games would probably be a bad idea, while text editing might be just fine.
I use Microsoft Remote Desktop over WiFi connected 2013 iMAC and 2015 Thinkpad X1. There is no lag between them. When I maximize the Remote Desktop window, it is native performance but with an amazing 27" screen not the small 13.3" Thinkpad screen. The software scales the screen and fonts so it looks like a windows external monitor. I use it for business not games. Neither machine I have is good for games. Microsoft's product is free too. I use the beta version as it keeps up with MacOS updates faster then the store version.