Using M1 Macbook air as a second monitor with 24inch imac

Using M1 Macbook air as a second monitor with 24inch imac

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andygo

Original Poster:

6,913 posts

261 months

Tuesday 29th November 2022
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As per the title - we have a 24inch M1 iMac and would like to occasionally use our M1 Macbook air as a second monitor.

I tried connecting a USB C >USB C lead but didn't seem to work intuitively .

I don't really want to buy a dedicated second monitor which obviously would be easy, but you would think there would be a simple way to get a result.

Any suggestions folks?

Jenny Tailor

1,727 posts

43 months

Tuesday 29th November 2022
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IIRC It isn't possible.

mikef

5,153 posts

257 months

Tuesday 29th November 2022
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I /think/ that Duet Pro should be able to support that - https://www.duetdisplay.com/duet-extend-to-a-secon.... But not entirely sure as I used it with an iPad

andygo

Original Poster:

6,913 posts

261 months

Tuesday 29th November 2022
quotequote all
I'm sorry, I didn't want to hear that Jenny! smile

Edited by andygo on Tuesday 29th November 18:17

Jenny Tailor

1,727 posts

43 months

Tuesday 29th November 2022
quotequote all
andygo said:
I'm sorry, I didn't want to hear that Jenny! smile


biggrin

LeeM135i

623 posts

60 months

Wednesday 30th November 2022
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Sorry to say I don't think it's possible.

An option is to use universal control which will allow you to use 1x keyboard and mouse over multiple Macs/iPads. I have a personal and work Mac / big screen and an iPad and it allows me to use them all with ease. You can drag and drop files between the devices. Kind of does what you need it to???

Article on it below.

https://www.macworld.com/article/785277/share-keyb...

Captain_Morgan

1,243 posts

65 months

Wednesday 30th November 2022
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Depending on the age of the iMac you should be able to use airplay2 to use a second screen, this feature requires macOS Monterey.

You might however need to swap, so use the iMac as a second (or third) screen for the M1.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dNujbk9RJWc

andygo

Original Poster:

6,913 posts

261 months

Wednesday 30th November 2022
quotequote all
Thanks for all your replies- nothings ever straightforward. Looking like a second monitor might be easiest after all.

You would think that a wired connection would be able to crack it though!

Captain_Morgan

1,243 posts

65 months

Wednesday 30th November 2022
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andygo said:
You would think that a wired connection would be able to crack it though!
Why is that? I’m not aware of any pc’s that provide that functionality.

andygo

Original Poster:

6,913 posts

261 months

Wednesday 30th November 2022
quotequote all
Captain_Morgan said:
Why is that? I’m not aware of any pc’s that provide that functionality.

Ignorance and wishful thinking I guess!

dxg

8,650 posts

266 months

Wednesday 30th November 2022
quotequote all
LeeM135i said:
Sorry to say I don't think it's possible.

An option is to use universal control which will allow you to use 1x keyboard and mouse over multiple Macs/iPads. I have a personal and work Mac / big screen and an iPad and it allows me to use them all with ease. You can drag and drop files between the devices. Kind of does what you need it to???

Article on it below.

https://www.macworld.com/article/785277/share-keyb...
I use this extensively.

You can use sidecast to extend a mac's display onto a ipad, but I only use this when on the road. When at home, I use universal control between macs and my ipad alike. it's really nice. Just wish I knew how it worked - some combination of bluetooth and peer to peer wifi, it seems - as i hate technologies that I don't understand.

somouk

1,425 posts

204 months

Wednesday 30th November 2022
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Apple did originally support targetted display to older iMacs but they stopped doing that some time ago I'm afraid.

Would be a great feature for them to bring back but will stop the sale of their very high end displays so unlikely to happen.

andygo

Original Poster:

6,913 posts

261 months

Wednesday 30th November 2022
quotequote all
somouk said:
Apple did originally support targetted display to older iMacs but they stopped doing that some time ago I'm afraid.

Would be a great feature for them to bring back but will stop the sale of their very high end displays so unlikely to happen.
What, the bargain basement version at £1499? Plus a chunk more for a non reflective coating plus another chunk for a better mounting?

sugerbear

4,381 posts

164 months

Wednesday 30th November 2022
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if you want a cheap apple display then the 27 inch mini display port (A1308?) and the thunderbolt displays are a good option.

You can get converters for the former - USB-C to Mini Display port for £20. Worked flawlessly on my M1 Mac hooked up to an A1308 monitor.

The downside is they consume quite a lot of electricity in comparison to all the other gadgets I have (I estimated about £200 per year on the new tariffs).

Sold my older monitor for £150 a while ago so they are relatively cheap to buy.

xeny

4,590 posts

84 months

Wednesday 30th November 2022
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Captain_Morgan said:
Why is that? I’m not aware of any pc’s that provide that functionality.
Some PC AIOs allow the built in screen to be used as a normal monitor, and as the 24" iMac and M1 MBA are essentially identical CPU wise, this would pretty much meet the goal.

In general though, this kind of thing is why I dislike iMacs and AIO PCs - the resulting lack of flexibilty.