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Here's my MacBook: http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/macbook_pro/specs/macbook-pro-core-2-duo-2.53-aluminum-13-mid-2009-sd-firewire-800-unibody-specs.html

Here's the iMac: http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/specs/imac-core-i5-3.2-27-inch-aluminum-late-2012-specs.html

Basically, my MBP has one Mini DisplayPort and the iMac has multiple thunderbolt ports. These two are the same shape.

Is there an adapter or chord I can use to connect these two so that my MacBook uses the iMac as a secondary monitor?

gburning
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  • You want to subordinate your 2012 iMac to a 2009 MBP just for the screen space. Really?! Surely you can just sync the filespaces or some better option? – John2095 Sep 19 '14 at 13:41
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    Please don't be so rude, friend. For various reasons, yes, I do want that. The MBP is my main work computer for the moment and the iMac belongs to the school I go to. I have software and other things on my MBP that I can't get on the iMac unfortunately. So in those cases it would be hella convenient to just hook up my own computer to the iMac. – gburning Sep 19 '14 at 13:50
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    OK that makes sense. No, not rude—sanity checking. – John2095 Sep 19 '14 at 14:00

2 Answers2

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As far as I'm aware, you can't run Target Display Mode from Mini DisplayPort to Thunderbolt; only like to like or Thunderbolt to Mini-DP.

See http://support.apple.com/kb/PH14264

Edit 2022
Many years later, we now have a canonical QA for Target Display Mode. Please refer to - What are the requirements to use iMac screen as a second monitor - Target Display Mode?

Tetsujin
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  • Thanks for the link! From that article: "If you have a 27-inch iMac with a Mini DisplayPort, any other Mac with a Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt port can use it as a display. *Make sure you have a Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort cable."*

    Would that work, do you think?

     – gburning Sep 19 '14 at 13:18
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    From that article, not if the iMac has Thunderbolt, only if it has DisplayPort. – Tetsujin Sep 19 '14 at 13:21
  • To be honest, I'm not so convinced. I'll probably buy a cable, try it myself and report back. Thanks for helping, though! You've pointed me in the right direction. – gburning Sep 19 '14 at 13:55
  • That table reinforces my existing perception. – Tetsujin Sep 19 '14 at 13:57
  • After a second look, you may be correct. I'll give it a shot though. – gburning Sep 19 '14 at 14:08
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    Bought the cable and tried it out. You were of course correct, it did not work. Thanks for the help though! – gburning Nov 01 '14 at 13:52
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Screen-sharing may work for you in this instance, if the computers share a network. Note this is not a hardware (cable) solution, but it may work sufficiently well for you.

From the iMac's Finder, locate and click on the MBP's icon from the left window pane. In the title bar of the right pane, click on "Share screen...", authenticate, and begin your work.

Charles Lindsay
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