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I use tiny 13'' Windows laptop for work and whenever working from home would like to use my 27'' iMac as a display to it.

Is this possible? Would HDMI->Thunderbolt cable do the trick? Is there anything more required?

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  • There has to be some way to create an SSH stream using an IP and port from a Windows PC and connect/extend your monitor to an iMac on a local network. I routinely connect to my PS4 (at home) from my Windows 10 PC using global SSH and access my PS4 from literally anywhere in the world.
    – jon.bray.eth
    Commented Oct 6, 2021 at 8:25

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You cannot transmit the output of your Windows screen through an iMac display, but there is one way to work that you may find quite appealing: Microsoft Remote Desktop.

MS has a remote desktop client application that is a free download from the App Store. On your Windows machine, you change System preferences in Control Panel to enable remote access. In the Remote Desktop app on your iMac, you create a machine profile that specifies the Windows computer name or IP address, your account username and your password. It supports fullscreen mode, so your Windows login will be plenty big on your 27" display.

I use the application daily to remotely administer Windows desktops and servers all over the country. From the comfort of my MacBook.

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  • Trane, I gave it a shot ... but something is not right. Mac screen gets stuck on "Welcome" and is not moving forward. Issue appears on both iMac and MBA. Any advice?
    – JAM
    Commented Oct 2, 2014 at 1:43
  • Is it just stalled or are you seeing an error message? If it's just stalling, I sometimes need to command + w to close the RDP window and then reopen the connection. The second time has me logged into the desktop. It's an MS bug (but on the computer or RD client, I don't know).
    – Trane Francks
    Commented Oct 2, 2014 at 5:36
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    Probably worth mentioning Edweird isn't wrong -- there are two iMacs for which Target Display Mode isn't limited to Thunderbolt inputs, the Late 2009 and Mid 2010 27" models. Those use "Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort". But anything newer and you're back to RDP-land in the answer, above. And fwiw, there's more on using a GPU with Thunderbolt out here -- you potentially could pull it off.
    – ruffin
    Commented Jul 20, 2015 at 14:48
  • Thank you Trane. You've made my life better. After spending money on DP and TB cables without success. I was able to connect my Surface to the iMac in a Jiffy. Thanks
    – user174185
    Commented Mar 5, 2016 at 22:18
  • @jhperez: Glad to help. I wouldn't want to imagine work without that app.
    – Trane Francks
    Commented Mar 6, 2016 at 22:41
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Depending on the model of your iMac, you can use the mini-display port as an INPUT and change the imac into monitor mode to use it as an external display.

This IS compatible with any Operating System, as long as the graphics adapter can support the resolutions that the iMac can support.

This feature is called Target Display Mode, and can be accessed by pressing COMMAND-F2 on your keyboard once the cable is connected.

Here is Apple's notes about it: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3924

I use one of these to connect to my gaming PC, connected to a DVI cable. http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB570Z/B/mini-displayport-to-dvi-adapter

Good luck!

Ed

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I would suggest that you go with Trane Francks' answer to use Microsoft Remote Desktop. RDC is one of the crown jewels of Microsoft. It is so much better that VNC. I wish my Mac's and Linux systems had RDC. (Well, Linux does have X11, which is close.) Using RDC over a fast local network will feel almost like being directly on the computer. You may not even notice if you are running Office type applications. The only exception is things like video and games, but even here I have been often surprised at how well RDC works.

However to directly answer your question, a 27" iMac can be used as an external screen, but only with other Thunderbolt systems which limits this mostly to other Mac's. A HDMI to Thunderbolt converter will not work. (Unless, someone has recently created a much smarter adaptor.) Apple calls this "Target Display Mode" which is only available on 27" iMac's. Pre-Thunderbolt systems used Mini DisplayPort and were much easier to use with other systems.

A great explanation: http://www.tekrevue.com/tip/ins-outs-imacs-target-display-mode/

And Apple's own docs: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3924?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

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  • "It is so much better that VNC." - Agreed. Personally, I find the performance of MRD to eclipse the performance of Apple Remote Desktop's VNC so much as to be almost laughable. The only gotcha I'd have to say about MRD is that MS tends to break it regularly. 8.06 was grand. 8.07 and 8.08 were almost unusable. 8.09 is once again brilliant. That app is best to watch the support forums for complaints prior to upgrading from a stable version.
    – Trane Francks
    Commented Sep 29, 2014 at 21:32
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There is solution for Windows 10 - "Screen Mirroring"

Your Target iMac should run Windows 10 thru Bootcamp and you have to change a few settings on the receiver computer:

  1. Open Settings and then open System.
  2. Scroll down to find ‘Projecting to this PC’ in the left menu.
  3. From the first drop down menu select, ‘Available everywhere’. In the second drop down select, ‘First time only’.
  4. Enable ‘Require PIN for pairing’.

This computer also can be used as a screen for other Windows PCs and phones.

To project computer make sure that both the computers are on the same local area network, on the PC whose screen is to be projected, go the ‘Action Centre’ and hit ‘Connect’. Find receiver computer in this list and Select the device and hit ‘Connect’.

On receiver computer click ‘Yes’ to allow connection. You may be prompted to enter the PIN displayed on the receiver computer. Once the connection has been established, you will be able to see a new window containing the screen output from the second computer.

From the standard four projection modes: ‘PC Screen Only’, ‘Duplicate’, ‘Extend’ and ‘Second Screen Only’ select needed.

Also, you can allow input from a keyboard or mouse connected to the receiver computer.

Functionality was introduced in Windows 10 v1607 you can project from non-updated Windows computer, but you need to have your receiver computer fully updated.

Here is the video how to do so: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpnehuBO5AE&t=323s

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    – nohillside ♦
    Commented May 23, 2020 at 12:50
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    Commented May 28, 2020 at 17:19
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I recommend using software called TightVNC to achieve this, all you need to do is install TightVNC server on your PC, set-up the server, and then connect using VNC with your Mac. For more information, I suggest you visit TightVNC.com.

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I know you are referencing a laptop, but I thought I'd add a success on this today using a Dell XPS to my Late 2009 Imac 27":

  1. Used a Diplayport-->MiniDP connector Dell-->Imac

  2. In BIOS, switched to Intel Graphics (bypassing GeForce 745 installed card) Worked just fine. Major issue troubleshooting why the installed card would not work, and I'll have to see if there's a reason why.

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