Is there a way to use my new 2020 iMac as a monitor for my old 2010 MacPro? There are many applications i use on the MacPro that won't run on the new operating systems. I don't really have room for a monitor for the MacPro so I want to use my new iMac as a monitor for the MacPro. If I plug them together is there some kind of software that will tell the iMac to be a monitor? What cables would be recommended? Thanks for any help.
Mac Pro, macOS 10.13
No to a non-network solution. If you enable Screen Sharing on the Mac Pro, and use the Screen Sharing application on the 2020 iMac, then you can have a Virtual Network Computing (VNC) link between the two, and a window on the iMac that responds to the iMac keyboard and mouse inputs. There is even two-way, drag and drop support between the MacPro and iMac Desktops.
The 2020 iMac has its Screen Sharing application in:
/System/Library/CoreServices/Applications
I dragged and dropped the Screen Sharing application from the above location to my Dock for ready access. It will prompt you for the host with a Connection: prompt. Use your Mac Pro's hostname.local. Here is the prompt on my iMac requesting Screen Sharing via a VNC connection to my 2011 Mac mini running High Sierra (the .local is important):
Here are the System Preferences : Security & Privacy panel : Firewall settings as shown (in this case Catalina for another Mac that is originating screen sharing), so they may look slightly different on your Mac Pro. These are not necessary on the 2020 iMac.
No to a non-network solution. If you enable Screen Sharing on the Mac Pro, and use the Screen Sharing application on the 2020 iMac, then you can have a Virtual Network Computing (VNC) link between the two, and a window on the iMac that responds to the iMac keyboard and mouse inputs. There is even two-way, drag and drop support between the MacPro and iMac Desktops.
The 2020 iMac has its Screen Sharing application in:
/System/Library/CoreServices/Applications
I dragged and dropped the Screen Sharing application from the above location to my Dock for ready access. It will prompt you for the host with a Connection: prompt. Use your Mac Pro's hostname.local. Here is the prompt on my iMac requesting Screen Sharing via a VNC connection to my 2011 Mac mini running High Sierra (the .local is important):
Here are the System Preferences : Security & Privacy panel : Firewall settings as shown (in this case Catalina for another Mac that is originating screen sharing), so they may look slightly different on your Mac Pro. These are not necessary on the 2020 iMac.
I haven't tried it, but Turn any Mac or iPad into a second display...
Review by NAK005, you may not be happy with it…
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/251259038?answerId=252422503022#252422503022
No.
Thank you. This looks complicated for an old person like me, but I will try it this weekend when I get time. Thanks for the suggestion.
Nope! While you can try the above you will likely be disappointed in the performance.
Thank you very much, VikingOSX. It took me awhile to get this right, but I think I have it now, and it does solve some of my problems.
You are welcome.
I can even use some of my old apps running on the old computer but it's really really slow. I do appreciate your comprehensive explanation. Thanks again. Stay safe.
Use 2020 iMac as monitor for 2010 Mac Pro
