I currently have a retina 5k 27in late 2014 imac with imac os Big Sur version 11.7.10, 3.5 GHZ quad-core inter core i.5, will a mac mini be compatable?
im deciding to purchase a Mac mini and attach it to my 27in late 2014, just confirming compatibility. my current os is Big Sur
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
iMac 27″, macOS 11.7
The intention of using "iMac" (your case particularly) as "a monitor" -- is NOT the direction you can achieve.
Apple abandoned "Target Display" long time ago. 2014 Mac Mini - can barely compare to 2014 iMac 27" - don't waste the money on this Intel based Mac Mini.
I know it's would be difficult to let that 5K iMac idle - but you probably have to. I am a owner of two late 2015 5K iMacs with similar sentiment.
Sorry for putting a dent on your enthusiasm.
Best
The intention of using "iMac" (your case particularly) as "a monitor" -- is NOT the direction you can achieve.
Apple abandoned "Target Display" long time ago. 2014 Mac Mini - can barely compare to 2014 iMac 27" - don't waste the money on this Intel based Mac Mini.
I know it's would be difficult to let that 5K iMac idle - but you probably have to. I am a owner of two late 2015 5K iMacs with similar sentiment.
Sorry for putting a dent on your enthusiasm.
Best
You can't use that iMac as a Target Display, if that is what you are thinking about. Target Display Mode went away when that iMac – the first Retina iMac – came out. Apple later put restrictions on it such that no current iMacs can use any iMac (even an older one) as a Target Display.
See the bad news here: Use your iMac as a display with target display mode - Apple Support
There is a third-party workaround product called Luna Display (by Astropad) that might let you use that iMac as an extra display, but even the Astropad site acknowledges that Luna Display has limitations and is not suitable for high motion applications (e.g., video editing, running games).
You would need a real monitor for that Mac mini even if you decided that you could live the compromises inherent in trying to drive that 5K display in software.
Apple does have a standalone display that would work with a new Mac mini, and that is very similar to the built-in screen on your 27" 5K Retina iMac.
Unfortunately, it is $1599+ USD. You could spend as much on one, an Apple keyboard, and an Apple mouse as an entire 27" 5K Retina iMac used to cost – except that you'd still need to buy the computer. I know of only two other 27" 5K (5120x2880 pixel) displays: one from LG; one from Samsung. They list for well over $1000 USD, but often can be found for street prices ranging from $850 to $950 USD.
This is why a lot of people settle for 27" - 32" 4K displays.
+1 You can not use an iMac as a display for a new Mac mini.
If you purchase a new Mac mini, then you will need an external display as well.
Mac mini compatibility with late 2014 iMac running macOS Big Sur
