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Use of Late 2009 iMac as External Display for m1?

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Owz600

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 14, 2021
1
0
I’ve read a bunch of threads on various sites and haven’t been able to clarify whether the late 2009 iMac 27” displays can be used as an external display for an M1 Mac Mini or M1 MacBook Air.

Does anyone have any insight into this?

The iMac has a Mini DisplayPort that could be used. However I’m unsure what cables or adapters would be needed and whether TDM would function?

My 09 iMac runs a patched version of high Sierra and I have read that the patched version doesn’t have TDM that can work with Big Sur...

Wonder if anyone has some understanding of how to go about connecting the monitor to the source (either Mac Mini or MacBook Air). Thanks
 
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Deccr

macrumors member
Nov 29, 2020
56
39
This looks the cable you would need to connect a Mac mini or MBA to the iMac:

www.amazon.co.uk

Cable Matters [Video Only] Bidirectional Mini DisplayPort to USB C Cable 1.8m (USB C to Mini DisplayPort Cable) Supporting 4K 60Hz - Not Compatible with USB C or Thunderbolt Storage, Hard Drive

Connect more with Cable Matters USB-C products | The Mini DisplayPort cable supports the latest thin laptops and smartphones with USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 and a 4K UHD monitor with Mini DisplayPort. Experience vivid video and authentic audio supported by monitors, with Mini DisplayPort for gaming, ...
www.amazon.co.uk

I can’t say if it would work your patched version of High Sierra. IIRC someone had an issue previously and it wouldn’t work - probably worth a quick search of the forum?
 
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Chris Newbold

macrumors member
Sep 22, 2014
43
2
Deccr said:
This looks the cable you would need to connect a Mac mini or MBA to the iMac:

www.amazon.co.uk

Cable Matters [Video Only] Bidirectional Mini DisplayPort to USB C Cable 1.8m (USB C to Mini DisplayPort Cable) Supporting 4K 60Hz - Not Compatible with USB C or Thunderbolt Storage, Hard Drive

Connect more with Cable Matters USB-C products | The Mini DisplayPort cable supports the latest thin laptops and smartphones with USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 and a 4K UHD monitor with Mini DisplayPort. Experience vivid video and authentic audio supported by monitors, with Mini DisplayPort for gaming, ...
www.amazon.co.uk

I can’t say if it would work your patched version of High Sierra. IIRC someone had an issue previously and it wouldn’t work - probably worth a quick search of the forum?
Click to expand...

I had this issue and posted about it. Patched high Sierra 2009 iMac 27”. Eventually I realised it was the high Sierra (breaks target display mode I think??) but couldn’t downgrade the 2009, lost patience and sent the Mac mini back.
 
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citivolus

macrumors 65816
Sep 19, 2008
1,218
269
I'm happily using my Late 2009 iMac running High Sierra (not patched) in TDM mode with my M1 MacBook Air. Works perfectly with the Displaylink drivers installed on the MacBook, Dell D6000 Thunderbolt 3 dock, and this Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable. Why is the OP running a patched version of High Sierra?
 
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Chris Newbold

macrumors member
Sep 22, 2014
43
2
citivolus said:
I'm happily using my Late 2009 iMac running High Sierra (not patched) in TDM mode with my M1 MacBook Air. Works perfectly with the Displaylink drivers installed on the MacBook, Dell D6000 Thunderbolt 3 dock, and this Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable. Why is the OP running a patched version of High Sierra?
Click to expand...

Sorry in my case I meant patched Catalina.
 
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Deccr

macrumors member
Nov 29, 2020
56
39
Target display mode will not work with a 2012 iMac unfortunately. Any iMac which uses thunderbolt for TDM will not work with M1 Macs. Only older iMacs which use DisplayPort for TDM will work.
 
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