M4 Mac Mini to Mid-2011 iMac (High Sierra)

bruddah_808 wrote:

I am looking to buy an M4 Mac Mini. I also currently have a Mid-2011 iMac. I know that the M4 Mac Mini doesn’t come with a display so I need to hook one up. I am curious if I can hook up the Mac Mini to the 2011 iMac to use as a display. To clarify, I only want to use the 2011 iMac as a display, none of its computing power.

While your Mid-2011 iMac supports Target Display Mode using Thunderbolt input, Apple later added restrictions that mean that no current or recent Mac supports using any iMac as a Target Display.

See the bad news here: Use your iMac as a display with target display mode - Apple Support

Making a Thunderbolt data connection would cost $80+, and since it won't let you use the iMac as a display, you would be better off to save the money and put it towards the purchase of a real standalone display.

No, you cannot use the iMacs as an external display. You need to buy an external display. There are hundreds to select from in all sizes, price ranges ($<100-about $1500) and feature sets to select from. iMacs are computers, they are NOT external displays for other devices.

Remember to buy a Mac mini with adequate storage, something comparable to your 2011 iMac. Also, to migrate your data from the legacy computer simply follow the steps in Setup Assistant and Migration Assistant. If you buy a MM with the minimum amount of data and your legacy iMac has more data than the MM has available you will be a very unhappy user!

I agree with Servant of Cats in that you should get a 3rd party monitor.

If you don't need 4K the will run from $100 -$150.

4K monitors will range from $150 to $350.

4K monitors will range from $620 to $1600.

4K seems to be the best value in my opinion. That's what I got with my Mini M4, a 32" 4K LG monitor for $331.