Using iMac as a display for Windows PC

[CWallace]

In fact, the loss of (Target Display Mode) in newer iMacs is the only reason I haven't upgraded. In the event future iMacs regain this ability, I will be at the store on the first day to purchase one.

I expect we will get it back with the next iMac 5K as the chipset will support 2xDP1.2 over 1xTB3, but I would expect the other Mac will also need to support TB3 so realistically you will need a 2016/2017 iMac 5K and another 2016/2017 model Mac.

 

[MikeKulls]

I expect we will get it back with the next iMac 5K as the chipset will support 2xDP1.2 over 1xTB3, but I would expect the other Mac will also need to support TB3 so realistically you will need a 2016/2017 iMac 5K and another 2016/2017 model Mac.

That will be the proof, if they bring it back then I was wrong. I wouldn't hold my breath though

 

[circatee]

I was just looking into this. I have a Windows Workstation (Z600), and an iMac, 27". I seem to use my Windows computer more, and thus have a $2K unit just sitting there. I wanted to use it with my Windows computer. Alas, that isn't now going to happen.

I'll look into the RDP feature. Albeit, I still feel as if I'm losing out...

 

[FosterPDX]

It actually gets quite a few hits on google and personally I think it is something that a LOT of people would use if it worked well. If like me you've got an iMac and the internals are broken or just too slow (or both in my case) but you are happy with the screen then it makes perfect sense to use it as a screen. You could use it with a Mac Mini or a PC and you would still retain the good looks of the iMac. It would save a lot of LCDs going to the tip. Reality is a full HD screen is perfectly usable today and will be for a long time to come. I think a lot of things get to a certain point where the tech is good enough and improvements are nice but not essential. I think screens reached that point 8 or 10 years ago.

My initial thread that got deleted was asking about hacking the iMac to run as a screen (remove the mac motheroard etc). A lot of people said this was pointless but it's very difficult to get a PC screen with speakers, webcam, USB, microphone etc built in. None of them look as good as the iMac. The only one we found my wife said it was too ugly. People have actually been doing it with the G4, putting the intel NUC into them. So my idea isn't as crazy as some people here seem to think.

Wow, this thread got argumentative...

I just like the idea that you can get an almost reference quality iMac 5K display (replacement) for around $350 on ebay, and build a real-classy custom cherry and aluminum enclosure...

Nevermind the technical limitations; @MikeKulls - did you ever get this working?

Has anyone found a custom display board like the HDMI to LVDS converter mentioned that works for this? (Thunderbolt3 -LVDS?)

(Not looking to fight about whether this is a good idea, if I have the skillz to pull it off, or if apple's engineered obsolescence is good for the customer or not, I just want a sick-display for under a grand and a half )