It could be efficient to complement a new MacBook Air (M4 2025) with an external monitor. Is it possible to use my old MacBook Air as an external monitor? (I realise there may be limits in terms of transfer rates in a usb-c to usb-a or HDMI cable)
Thanks in advance!
MacBook Air 13″, macOS 10.13
You cannot use your old MacBook Air as a monitor.
If you are thinking about Target Display Mode, MacBook Airs never had it. That was a feature only on certain old iMacs, and Apple later added restrictions such that no current Mac can use ANY iMac as a Target Display.
That MacBook Air is also far too old to be an AirPlay Receiver for AirPlay to Mac (a lower-quality way of sending video to a Mac). There may be third-party applications that would let it act as an "AirPlay Receiver" of sorts but given that the old MacBook Air has a 13", 1440x900 pixel display, it makes much more sense to simply buy a real hardware monitor for the new MacBook Air.
You cannot use your old MacBook Air as a monitor.
If you are thinking about Target Display Mode, MacBook Airs never had it. That was a feature only on certain old iMacs, and Apple later added restrictions such that no current Mac can use ANY iMac as a Target Display.
That MacBook Air is also far too old to be an AirPlay Receiver for AirPlay to Mac (a lower-quality way of sending video to a Mac). There may be third-party applications that would let it act as an "AirPlay Receiver" of sorts but given that the old MacBook Air has a 13", 1440x900 pixel display, it makes much more sense to simply buy a real hardware monitor for the new MacBook Air.
No, that Mac's display can neither be used as an extended desktop nor an external monitor.
Yes, it can be used for screen sharing: Share the screen of another Mac - Apple Support, but that falls far short of any reasonable expectations for an external monitor.
No, and even though you're asking about a MacBook Air Using an iMac as a monitor - Apple Community explains the reasons it won't work.
Thank you both for the help! Now I know I cannot use the old Mac as an extended desktop but will probably need to acquire a separate monitor.
Thanks! :)
I read the linked article. It seems sharing the screen would work, but am I right my intention to use the old mac as an extended desktop doesn't fit under that, but rather under the "external monitor" application described under the link, which would not work (unless connected to another old mac)?
Thanks! :)
My intention was to use it as an extended desktop (with a cable connection or whatever works), but I suppose the conclusion would be the same.
Using old MacBook Air (mid 2011, High Sierra 10.13.6) as an external display to a new M4 MacBook Air?
