Unlock the Power of Target Display Mode on Your M1 iMac

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The new Apple M1 chip is making waves in the tech world with its revolutionary performance and efficiency. It’s no surprise then that the latest iMacs are now powered by the M1 chip, giving them a significant boost in power. But what about the target display mode? Can you still use your iMac as a monitor for other Macs?

The short answer is yes! With the new iMac M1, you can still use target display mode to turn your iMac into a second monitor for another Mac. The only difference is that now you don’t need an extra port to make it work; you just need to connect one Mac to the other via Thunderbolt or USB-C.

Target Display Mode (TDM) was introduced by Apple back in 2010 as a way of connecting two Macs together and using one as an external display for the other. This was especially useful if you had an older computer that didn’t have enough ports but still wanted to use its screen as a secondary monitor. Unfortunately, this feature was discontinued in 2017 due to changes in Thunderbolt technology.

Fortunately, with the latest generation of iMacs powered by M1 chips, Target Display Mode has returned and it’s better than ever! Now, all you need is either a Thunderbolt or USB-C cable and you can easily turn your iMac into a second monitor for another computer. Just connect both computers and then press Command + F2 on your keyboard while connected via cable and your iMac will automatically switch into Target Display Mode. You can then move windows between both screens just like any dual monitor setup!

So there you have it; while Target Display Mode may not be quite as popular as it used to be, it’s definitely still around and available on the latest generation of iMacs powered by Apple’s M1 chip. So if you’re looking for an easy way to add some extra screen real estate without buying an expensive additional monitor, give Target Display Mode on your new M1-powered iMac a try!

Unlock the Power of Target Display Mode on Your M1 iMac 1

Using an iMac as a Monitor for a MacBook Pro M1

Yes, you can use an iMac as a monitor for a MacBook Pro M1. You will need to make sure that the iMac has macOS High Sierra or earlier installed and the MacBook Pro M1 must have been introduced in 2019 or earlier and have macOS Catalina or earlier installed. Additionally, you will need to use a Mini DisplayPort cable to connect the two Mac computers together.

Using an M1 iMac as a Monitor for a PC

Yes, you can use the M1 iMac as a monitor for a PC, provided that both devices have the right ports. The M1 iMac must have a Thunderbolt port or Mini DisplayPort and your PC must have an HDMI 2.0 port or USB-C port. Additionally, your iMac also needs to support Target Display Mode. Once everything is connected, you can then mirror the contents of your PC’s display onto your iMac’s screen using either an HDMI cable or USB-C cable.

Does Luna Display Work with M1 iMacs?

Yes, Luna Display does work with the M1 iMac. It is compatible with any computer that has a USB-C or Thunderbolt port, which includes the new M1 iMac. Simply plug the Luna Display adapter into your computer’s USB-C or Thunderbolt port and connect it to your iMac via the provided HDMI cable. Then, you can use your iMac as a second display for your Mac laptop, giving you more room to work on multiple projects at once. This setup also allows you to use your iMac as a primary display if desired.

Can M1 Macs Use Target Display Mode?

No, Target Display Mode does not work with M1 Macs. Target Display Mode requires a Primary Mac running macOS 10.15 Catalina or later to be connected to an iMac compatible with Target Display Mode via a Thunderbolt cable or Mini DisplayPort cable. Since the M1 Macs only support macOS Big Sur, they are incompatible with the requirements for Target Display Mode and cannot use it.

Identifying if an iMac Has Target Display Mode

To determine if your iMac has Target Display Mode, you’ll need to check the model and year of your iMac. Target Display Mode is available on most iMac models since 2009 and later. Additionally, you’ll need to make sure that the “Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys” option is checked in the Keyboard System Preferences. If both of these criteria are met, then your iMac should have Target Display Mode available.

Using a 24 Inch iMac as a Monitor

Yes, you can use your 24-inch iMac as a monitor for your Windows or Mac PC with Luna Display. Luna Display is a hardware and software solution that lets you extend your desktop from one computer to another. Simply connect the two computers with the Luna Display adapter, install the software on both devices, and you’ll be able to use your iMac’s 4.5K (4480×2520) resolution display as an external monitor for your PC. You can also take advantage of its Touch Bar and other features, such as using it as a drawing tablet for graphics applications like Adobe Photoshop or Autodesk Sketchbook Pro. Additionally, Luna Display supports up to 4K video streaming and audio playback, so you won’t miss out on any of the best features of your iMac when using it as an external monitor.

imac m1 target display mode
Source: cnet.com

Can an M1 Mac Support an Ultrawide Monitor?

Yes, an M1 Mac can run an ultrawide monitor. The M1 Macs are capable of displaying resolutions up to 5120×1440 on a 49-inch ultrawide monitor and 5120×2160 on 5K2K screens. To get the best performance, it’s important to pick up a monitor with a USB-C connector and at least 65W power delivery. This will ensure that your Mac has enough power to drive the monitor and you will get the best possible picture quality.

Using an Old iMac as a Monitor for Mac Mini M1

Yes, you can use an old iMac as a monitor for your Mac mini M1. To do so, both devices must have a Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt port. If they do, you can connect them using a Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort cable or a Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt cable.

Once the two are connected, press Command-F2 on the keyboard attached to the iMac. This will enable Target Display Mode on the iMac and it will start displaying whatever being sent from the Mac mini M1.

If your old iMac does not have the correct ports or does not support Target Display Mode (generally only available on models between late 2009 and 2013) then you will not be able to use it as a monitor for your Mac mini M1.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the iMac M1 is a great choice if you’re looking for a powerful and reliable computer with a large display. It offers impressive performance, with its incredibly efficient 8-core M1 processor and 8GB of RAM delivering smooth multitasking and quick load times. The 27-inch Retina 5K display is stunning, producing vivid colors and sharp details that make content come alive. The iMac also has two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports for fast data transfer rates, plus four USB 3 ports for connecting all your peripherals. Finally, the iMac M1 comes with macOS Big Sur preinstalled to provide a modern operating system experience with plenty of features to keep you productive.

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James Walker

James Walker has a deep passion for technology and is our in-house enthusiastic editor. He graduated from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, and loves to test the latest gadgets and play with older software (something we’re still trying to figure out about himself). Hailing from Iowa, United States, James loves cats and is an avid hiker in his free time.