#Use imac as second monitor with pc how to#
#Use imac as second monitor with pc software#
#Use imac as second monitor with pc mac#

This should produce both audio and video projection. In the System Preferences window, click Sound and under the Output tab, select the HDMI option.Click on the Apple logo in the top left corner of the screen and click System Preferences.

#Use imac as second monitor with pc mac#

Ensure that you have firmly connected the HDMI cable to the appropriate HDMI adapter and that the adapter is firmly connected to your Mac computer.

Dana Auditorium is one location where this may happen. We have noticed that some combinations of Mac computer + HDMI adapter + classroom projection system may produce valid video projection but no audio. Potential audio problems when connecting a Mac to a projector using HDMI There is, however, a list of Mac computer models that do support both audio and video over the HDMI cable with the appropriate adapter. There is no definitive list of these computer models that do not support audio over the video cable. Roughly, this includes Mac laptops made before Mid-2010. Right now, we are aware of certain Mac computers that cannot output audio over the HDMI cable. However, not all computers that have Mini DisplayPort/Thunderbolt can send the audio over the same cable as video due to incomplete design by the manufacturer. It makes the iMac way more versatile and not only useful as a computer itself, but as a spare second monitor if you ever need one.For Mac models that have Mini DisplayPort/Thunderbolt, it is possible to use an HDMI adapter to connect to some of our newer classrooms and project a much higher quality image. In the end, it’s as simple as that to use an iMac as a second display. Furthermore, if you start to play music in iTunes, it will continue playing even when you enable Target Display Mode. Keep in mind that any apps or folders you have open on the iMac will remain open when you enable Target Display Mode.

If you want to adjust settings for your second monitor, you can go into System Preferences and select Display. You can also just unplug the cable between the two Macs. Whenever you’re done, you can hit Cmd+F2 again to shut off the second display. This will turn your iMac’s display into a second monitor for your primary Mac. From there, boot up both computers and then hit Cmd+F2 on the keyboard of the iMac that you want to use as your second monitor. The first thing you’ll want to do is connect the Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt cable between your primary Mac and the iMac. Thunderbolt and Mini DisplayPorts are identical and can be used interchangeably.įinally, you’ll also need a Thunderbolt cable or a Mini DisplayPort-to-Mini DisplayPort cable.

#Use imac as second monitor with pc software#

You may be surprised by this, but there’s no need for any third-party software or special trickery to make this happen, as Apple has the tools built into OS X and officially supports an iMac to be used as a second monitor.

#Use imac as second monitor with pc how to#

In any case, if you happen to have a spare iMac lying around and need a second display, here’s how to use an iMac as a second monitor.

Of course, no one’s stopping you from buying an iMac over a second monitor, and you’ll get a second computer out of it, so it can certainly be a win-win situation there. While iMacs are certainly more expensive than computer monitors, if you already have an iMac, you can save yourself the extra money by not having to go out and buy a second monitor. The good news is that this can be easy to use if you already have an iMac sitting around, as you can use its display as a second monitor. Whether you have a MacBook or a desktop Mac, sometimes just one display isn’t enough, and you want to find a way to get a second display up and running. If you want a second monitor to use with your Mac and have an iMac lying around, here’s how to use an iMac as a second monitor.