If you've bought a Mac mini or Mac Pro, you'll need a display to go with it; and even those with an iMac or MacBook might fancy a second screen. We've tested, reviewed and ranked the best Mac. 16in MacBook Pro versus 27in iMac. We'll start with the more powerful, and more expensive, 27in iMac and 16in MacBook Pro. The 27in iMac was updated in August 2020, so it's relatively new.
iMac, as the all-in-one desktop computer, has been the favorite computer for many users, and 4K retina screen is one of the highlights.
As time goes, old iMac may be put in the room corner.
If you did that, it is a big pity that you miss the large screen.
Why not use iMac as an external monitor for your PC, or other Mac computers?
That's what we shall uncover in this post.
We will show the step-by-step guide to use iMac as an external monitor for PC, MacBook, and other computers.
Part 1. Use iMac as External Monitor for PC/MacBook via Target Display Mode
Target display mode is the hidden feature in iMac, which you can mirror PC or other Mac models into iMac for large screen.
For using the iMac as the external display, you should prepare what is as following:
● iMac computer
- 27-inch iMac models introduced in 2009 and 2010 with a Mini DisplayPort.
- All iMac models introduced in 2011, 2012, 2013 and mid 2014 with a Thunderbolt port.
Imac As A Display For Mac Pro Shortcut
● A Thunderbolt cable or a Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort cable.
● Mac from 2019 or earlier or PC with a Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt port.
Then let's follow the steps below to get iMac as the external monitor for MacBook/mini or PC.
Step 1 Turn on both source MacBook/PC and iMac.
Step 2 Make sure the MacBook is logged in to the user account.
Step 3 Plug the cable into the Thunderbolt or Mini DisplayPort on MacBook or PC. Then connect the other end of cable into the Thunderbolt or Mini DisplayPort on your iMac.
Note: If you are using an adapter, connect the cable to the adapter first, then insert the other end into the Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt port on the iMac.
Step 4 Press Command + F2 on the keyboard of the iMac to trigger the target display mode. In a few seconds, you should now see the screen of MacBook/PC mirrored on the iMac.
To exit the target display mode, you should press Command + F2 again or disconnect the cable.
Part 2. Use iMac as External Display for iPhone/iPad via QuickTime
Not only using iMac as the external monitor for PC and other Mac models, but also can you mirror iPhone/iPad into iMac for large screen. The tool that can help you is QuickTime.
QuickTime is the media player and screen recorder. Here, it acts as the screen mirror. The steps of using iMac as the large display for iPhone/iPad are also easy to follow.
Step 1 Connect iPhone to iMac
Get the USB cable to plug your iPhone into iMac.
Step 2 Enable QuickTime screen recording
Run QuickTime on your iMac. Click File in the upper left corner to choose New Movie Recording option.
Step 3 Select your iPhone
Click the drop-down list of the recording button to find your iPhone in the camera list.
Step 4 Mirror iPhone into iMac
Now you can see the screen of iPhone is mirrored on iMac. Meanwhile, all the actions you did on iPhone will be recorded in iMac.
You can choose to export the recording or give it up.
Apart from QuickTime, you can also use the third-party software, e.g. Reflector, to share your iPhone or iPad screen in iMac. More details about mirroring iPhone to Mac are here.
Part 3. Pro Tip: Use PC as External Display for iPhone iPad
To use iMac as the external display monitor for PC and other Mac models are easy. Moreover, you can also mirror your iPhone screen into iMac to use the large screen. However, not all the users are the fans of Mac computer. Sharing the iPhone or iPad screen on PC can also enjoy the large display.
How to use PC as the monitor for iPhone or iPad?
Apeaksoft iOS Screen Recorder is the fix. It is the professional software to enlarge iPhone/iPad/iPod screen on PC wirelessly and safely. With it, you can connect iPhone and iPad with PC and watch the videos on a large screen.
- Use PC as the external display monitor and recorder for iPhone and iPad.
- Share videos, music, and other data from iOS device to PC easily.
- Compatible with Windows 10/8/7 and iPhone/iPad running in iOS 14/13/12/11, etc.
- Mirror iPhone/iPad to PC with Wi-Fi easily.
Step 1 Enable Screen Mirroring on iPhone
Make sure both your iPhone/iPad and PC connect with the same Wi-Fi network.
Run iOS Screen Recorder program on your PC.
On iPhone, swipe down from the upper-right corner of the screen to open Control Center, and tap Screen Mirroring to choose Apeaksoft iOS Screen Recorder to enable the mirror feature.
Step 2 Make recording settings on PC
I Mac Pro
Return to this software on PC, you will see three tabs, Welcome, Settings and About.
Navigate the Settings tab, and you can customize the recording settings freely.
Step 3 Mirror and recording iPhone on PC
While all the settings are made well, just click the red record button on your iPhone, and it will start mirroring and recording iPhone screen on PC.
Click the Start Export button to save the recording as MP4 on PC.
To same extent, this software is similar to QuickTime. However, it works more powerfully than the latter.
Part 4. FAQS of Using iMac as Extremal Monitor
Target display mode does not work in iMac?
You can fix the target display mode by following the solutions here:
1. Make sure you are logged into iMac.
2. Make sure your iMac is running in macOS High Sierra or earlier.
3. Make sure the cable is connected correctly.
Why does it fail to use the iMac with 5K screen as the monitor for my PC?
In general, iMac has the resolution of 2560 x 1440 and 5120 x 2880 (5K). If you use the iMac with 2560 x 1440 resolution, then you should make sure the PC resolution is also 2560 x 1440. To use iMac with 5120 x 2880 resolution as the monitor for the PC, it is hard to make it. That's why you cannot use the 27-inch iMac with 5K Retina and newer ones as the monitor for PC.
Can I use multiple iMac computer as the monitor for one PC or Mac?
Yes, you can use more than one iMac as a display provided all Mac computers. Both iMacs and the source Mac computer are using Thunderbolt connectivity. Each iMac used as a monitor counts against the simultaneously connected displays supported by the source Mac.
What is the maximum connected Thunderbolt monitor for Mac?
The maximum connected Thunderbolt display is 1 for MacBook Air (Mid 2011), MacBook Pro 13-inch (2011), Mac mini 2.3 GHz (Mid 2011), 2 is for MacBook Air (Mid 2012 - 2014), MacBook Pro Retina (Mid 2012 and later), MacBook Pro 15-inch (Early 2011 and later), MacBook Pro 17-inch (Early 2011 and later), Mac mini 2.5 GHz (Mid 2011), Mac mini (Late 2012 - 2014), iMac (Mid 2011 - 2013) and iMac 21.5-inch (Mid 2014), and 6 is for Mac Pro (2013).
Conclusion
To use old iMac as the external display monitor is a good solution for those who needs the large screen. You can use the target display mode to do it by connecting PC/Mac to iMac with the cable. Moreover, QuickTime also shares the mirror way to get iMac as the monitor for iPhone and iPad. As for watching the large screen on PC from iPhone/iPad, you can also use Apeaksoft iOS Screen Recorder.
Do you have any idea to use the large screen as the monitor for your device?
Let me know by leaving your comments below.
Make your Mac invincible
Click the drop-down list of the recording button to find your iPhone in the camera list.
Step 4 Mirror iPhone into iMac
Now you can see the screen of iPhone is mirrored on iMac. Meanwhile, all the actions you did on iPhone will be recorded in iMac.
You can choose to export the recording or give it up.
Apart from QuickTime, you can also use the third-party software, e.g. Reflector, to share your iPhone or iPad screen in iMac. More details about mirroring iPhone to Mac are here.
Part 3. Pro Tip: Use PC as External Display for iPhone iPad
To use iMac as the external display monitor for PC and other Mac models are easy. Moreover, you can also mirror your iPhone screen into iMac to use the large screen. However, not all the users are the fans of Mac computer. Sharing the iPhone or iPad screen on PC can also enjoy the large display.
How to use PC as the monitor for iPhone or iPad?
Apeaksoft iOS Screen Recorder is the fix. It is the professional software to enlarge iPhone/iPad/iPod screen on PC wirelessly and safely. With it, you can connect iPhone and iPad with PC and watch the videos on a large screen.
- Use PC as the external display monitor and recorder for iPhone and iPad.
- Share videos, music, and other data from iOS device to PC easily.
- Compatible with Windows 10/8/7 and iPhone/iPad running in iOS 14/13/12/11, etc.
- Mirror iPhone/iPad to PC with Wi-Fi easily.
Step 1 Enable Screen Mirroring on iPhone
Make sure both your iPhone/iPad and PC connect with the same Wi-Fi network.
Run iOS Screen Recorder program on your PC.
On iPhone, swipe down from the upper-right corner of the screen to open Control Center, and tap Screen Mirroring to choose Apeaksoft iOS Screen Recorder to enable the mirror feature.
Step 2 Make recording settings on PC
I Mac Pro
Return to this software on PC, you will see three tabs, Welcome, Settings and About.
Navigate the Settings tab, and you can customize the recording settings freely.
Step 3 Mirror and recording iPhone on PC
While all the settings are made well, just click the red record button on your iPhone, and it will start mirroring and recording iPhone screen on PC.
Click the Start Export button to save the recording as MP4 on PC.
To same extent, this software is similar to QuickTime. However, it works more powerfully than the latter.
Part 4. FAQS of Using iMac as Extremal Monitor
Target display mode does not work in iMac?
You can fix the target display mode by following the solutions here:
1. Make sure you are logged into iMac.
2. Make sure your iMac is running in macOS High Sierra or earlier.
3. Make sure the cable is connected correctly.
Why does it fail to use the iMac with 5K screen as the monitor for my PC?
In general, iMac has the resolution of 2560 x 1440 and 5120 x 2880 (5K). If you use the iMac with 2560 x 1440 resolution, then you should make sure the PC resolution is also 2560 x 1440. To use iMac with 5120 x 2880 resolution as the monitor for the PC, it is hard to make it. That's why you cannot use the 27-inch iMac with 5K Retina and newer ones as the monitor for PC.
Can I use multiple iMac computer as the monitor for one PC or Mac?
Yes, you can use more than one iMac as a display provided all Mac computers. Both iMacs and the source Mac computer are using Thunderbolt connectivity. Each iMac used as a monitor counts against the simultaneously connected displays supported by the source Mac.
What is the maximum connected Thunderbolt monitor for Mac?
The maximum connected Thunderbolt display is 1 for MacBook Air (Mid 2011), MacBook Pro 13-inch (2011), Mac mini 2.3 GHz (Mid 2011), 2 is for MacBook Air (Mid 2012 - 2014), MacBook Pro Retina (Mid 2012 and later), MacBook Pro 15-inch (Early 2011 and later), MacBook Pro 17-inch (Early 2011 and later), Mac mini 2.5 GHz (Mid 2011), Mac mini (Late 2012 - 2014), iMac (Mid 2011 - 2013) and iMac 21.5-inch (Mid 2014), and 6 is for Mac Pro (2013).
Conclusion
To use old iMac as the external display monitor is a good solution for those who needs the large screen. You can use the target display mode to do it by connecting PC/Mac to iMac with the cable. Moreover, QuickTime also shares the mirror way to get iMac as the monitor for iPhone and iPad. As for watching the large screen on PC from iPhone/iPad, you can also use Apeaksoft iOS Screen Recorder.
Do you have any idea to use the large screen as the monitor for your device?
Let me know by leaving your comments below.
Make your Mac invincibleWhen you think about getting a new computer today, almost without a doubt your eyes are set on a Mac. Apple's desktops and laptops (and tablets and phones) have always been good, but also have reached new heights lately, with the inclusion of gorgeous Retina screens and blazing-fast Intel Core i9 processors.
So when it comes to buying a new Apple machine, you have a tough choice to make: should it be an iMac or MacBook Pro? Even though both of them differ wildly on price, power, design, and intended use cases, it's not immediately obvious which one you need more. Luckily, this guide offers a step-by-step breakdown for you to make the right decision.
Best app for enhancing new Mac
Whatever Mac you choose, CleanMyMac X will keep it in awesome shape from day one. Download the app via Setapp in one click.
When To Choose MacBook Pro or iMac
Let's start by saying that there are no losers in the MacBook Pro vs iMac standoff. They are both capable machines and you likely wouldn't regret choosing either one. But some differences still remain and are worthy of a closer look.
Naturally, the first thing you might notice is that iMac vs MacBook Pro is essentially primarily a desktop vs laptop question. But also much more than that. You could easily get some portability when you buy iMac if you also get an iPad. Alternatively, some screen real estate is an easy upgrade for a MacBook Pro if you purchase an external monitor.
Even within the iMac category, there are 21 and 27-inch models, with lots of possible modifications in each one. Likewise, MacBook Pros currently have 13 and 16-inch models, which you can upgrade to astronomical prices if you wish to do so. Time to compare all this variability side by side.
Design
To choose MacBook Pro vs iMac, ask yourself how do you actually use your computer most of the time. Do you sit at the same desk at home or at the office? Do you have to switch between meeting rooms all day long and frequently travel overseas? This answer might already inform your decision, since iMac and MacBook Pro were originally designed with different use cases in mind.
Visually, iMac or MacBook Pro is a matter of preference. Both machines are stunning, made of high-grade aluminum, with sleek minimalist silhouettes — true examples of industrial design at its peak.
Ergonomically, however, neither get their full marks. Typing day in and day out hunched over a laptop is not recommended, so if you use your MacBook at home or work for long periods of time, you should consider getting a proper stand and an external keyboard. Interestingly enough, iMacs are not completely ergonomic either and, due to lack of vertical adjustment, can't be placed at eye level without being propped with a stand or a stack of books.
Processing power and RAM
Since both iMacs and MacBook Pros get virtually the same chips (adjusted for size), the latest being the ninth generation of Intel Core i9, they are on equal footing when it comes to comparing their potential power output.
Currently, 27-inch iMacs offer 6-core i9s with Turbo Boost and anywhere from 3 to 3.7 GHz computing frequency. Surprisingly, 16-inch MacBooks are not too far behind, offering either the same 6-core processor with 2.6GHz, or an 8-core one with 2.3 or 2.4 GHz. To put this in perspective, the Geekbench test measures the performance of a 3.6 GHZ iMac as 1246, and 2.4 GHz MacBook Pro as 1122. Pretty close.
What might, however, dissuade you from getting a maxed out MacBook Pro is the way it handles heat. There have been reports with the latest top-of-the-line models going into Turbo Boost mode too often and heating up, which could lead to their decreased lifespan and just be plain annoying. Low and mid-tier models seem to be fine.
As for RAM, new iMacs and MacBooks come with either 8 or 16 GB of 2666 MHz DDR4 memory, and are both configurable up to 64 GB at extra cost.
Screens and graphics
If there's anything that Apple computers have always been unanimously praised for that would be the quality of their screens. Innovations in resolution (Retina, Liquid Retina), brightness, and color accuracy (P3 wide color gamut, True Tone) are nothing short of outstanding. It's hard to compare MacBooks to iMacs here — they are both winners. And if you need some more screen real estate for your MacBook, you can always get an external monitor.
Those interested in graphics processors, MacBook Pros come with AMD Radeon Pro 5500M with either 4 or 8 GB. iMacs get a leg up here with Radeon Pro 580X or Radeon Pro Vega 48, both with 8 GB of memory. That said, users who don't directly work in graphically intense fields won't notice any difference.
For gaming, it might be better to look into iMac vs iMac Pro, or even build your own PC, once you find out how much iMac Pro costs.
Storage
You might think that when it comes to storage, iMac would take the prize. But you would be wrong. By default, iMacs come with 2 TB Fusion Drives. What is iMac's Fusion Drive? A mix of HDD and SSD storage. And upgrades to pure SSD are costly, maxing out at 2 TB.
MacBook Pros, on the other hand, are equipped with 1 TB of SSD by default, which you can upgrade up to a whopping 8 TB (costs $2,200 though). Still much better.
Available ports and accessories
By now, you've probably heard the dongle story — various examples of how many extra adapters you need to buy for your MacBook Pro to have access to widely used connectors, since the laptop only features four USB-Cs. Some people will then be delighted to find out that iMacs still have four USB-As, two USB-Cs, a Gigabit Ethernet port, and an SD card slot.
One more thing to consider is keyboard dependability. While the new 16-inch MacBook features revamped scissor keys, older 13 or 15-inch models still have butterfly keyboards, which are prone to breakage. Since all MacBooks come in unibody design, keyboard repairs can be really costly, and iMacs might seem more future-proof in that sense.
Price
While it might seem that iMacs would cost more than MacBooks — they are truly large and powerful machines — the opposite is actually true. Looking at the default builds offered by Apple, the most expensive 27-inch iMac ($2,299) costs less than the entry-level 16-inch MacBook Pro ($2,399). After all, you do pay for all that portability.
How to make your MacBook last longer
If you do decide to get a MacBook to be able to work from anywhere you want, your top concern for its longevity should be making sure its battery will serve you for as long as possible. Indeed, there's a way to get 20% more battery life out of your MacBook right now.
Endurance is a must-have utility for all MacBook owners. Living in your menu bar, it seamlessly monitors flash plugins, hides background apps, slows down your processor when not in use, checks taxing apps, and much more. You have the option to customize when exactly does Endurance kick in to maximize its benefits for your situation.
How to monitor the state of your Mac
Even if you have a new iMac or MacBook Pro, knowing its vital performance indicators can help you detect weak spots or problems early on and, hopefully, resolve them while you're still under Apple's warranty. Conversely, knowing what your old Mac is struggling with can point you towards something you should fix in your new setup (e.g. add more RAM or get a better graphics card).
iStat Menus is the ultimate Mac monitoring solution you need. Not only does it give you detailed graphs on your CPU and GPU performance, it also shows your RAM load, sensor temperature, disk state, network health, and more. All visually laid out for you just a click away in your menu bar.
How to make your Mac run faster
2015 mac laptop. It's no secret that with use your Mac will become slower and less responsive. Cache from apps, user and system logs, broken login items, rarely used large files — all will accumulate and tax your system. To get your Mac back to its brand new state, you need a proven automated solution.
CleanMyMac X is one of the most popular optimization utilities in the world. In just one click, it rids your Mac of every useless file clogging up your system, checks your Mac for malware, and runs maintenance scripts to generally speed things up. In addition, CleanMyMac X offers comprehensive privacy scans, the best-in-class uninstaller, a visualized comparison of bulky files and folders, and much more in a safe, secure, and intuitive environment.
Comparing design, power, memory, storage, screens, accessories, and other computer components, by now you probably know whether it's a MacBook Pro or iMac that you're planning to buy. Regardless of your choice, make sure to prolong its useful life with Endurance, monitor its performance with iStat Menus, and keep the whole setup optimized with CleanMyMac X.
Best of all, Endurance, iStat Menus, and CleanMyMac X are all available to you at no cost during a seven-day trial of Setapp, a platform with more than 170 essential Mac apps for any task at hand, from staying concentrated (Be Focused) to professionally editing photos and videos (CameraBag Pro). Try Setapp free and experiment with new possibilities — sky's the limit!
Meantime, prepare for all the awesome things you can do with Setapp.
Read onSign Up
