Will the new mac mini work with my iMac 27" 2017 model?

Question

Will the new mac mini work with my iMac 27" 2017 model?

I'm thinking about buying a mac mini. My 2017 iMac is working great; however my hard drive is only 1TB. I have lots of storage on my removable hard drive, but the connection is slow.

I did see this was not possible for models since 2019. Since mine is older I'm wondering if this will work.

I do not understand the logic (outside of greed) that would design something like the mac mini and not have it plug and play with other mac operating systems. This just seems like the most basic of things.

Appreciate help in this research. Thanks

iMac 27″ 5K, macOS 13.7

Posted on Jan 22, 2025 07:01 PM

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Answer 1

den.thed

Level 10

88,960 points

Jan 22, 2025 08:19 PM in response to Jennifer Street

No because the new Mac mini does not support using any iMac as a Display.

The 2017 iMac could work as a display for a qualifying Mac, but only if it is running Catalina or earlier.

please carefully read all of the details at > Use your iMac as a display with target display mode - Apple Support

If you buy a new Mac mini, then you will also need an Apple or after-market external display.

see > Connect a display to Mac mini - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Allan Jones

Level 9

76,544 points

Jan 23, 2025 11:19 AM in response to Jennifer Street

Apple is killing itself. Literally.

Must be a slow death. The last iMac that could serve as a monitor in Target Display Mode was discontinued in late 2014. And Apple's historically highest stock price occurred less than a month ago, on Dec 26, 2024. [Reference]

TDM was not all that good an option in actual use. It had limited video options compared to a proper external monitor and, when I tested it with two fully TDM-supported Macs, I could only mirror the display, not extend it.

As Apple will not see your disappointment in this user-to-user forum, you can leave feedback that will be seen by an Apple employee here:

Feedback - iMac - Apple

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