Using 2015 iMac as Monitor for 2023 MacBook Pro

[AZdgordon]

I have a wall-mounted late 2015 27" iMac with Retina display (5120 x 2880). Processor is the 3.3 GHz Intel Core i5. It has 2 Thunderbolt 2 ports. Last summer I purchased the 2023 14" MacBook Pro with the Apple M2 Max processor. The MacBook Pro has 3 "Thunderbolt/USB4" ports. Those ports are also USB C ports - I'm not sure whether the Thunderbolt ports are Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4.

Since acquiring the 14" MacBook Pro, that has been my primary computer. The questions are as follows:

1. Can I use the 27' iMac as a monitor for the 14" MacBook Pro?

2. If so, what cable(s) and adapter(s) do I need to buy to make the connection? I'm presuming the connection is likely via the Thunderbolt ports on each machine.

3. Are the Thunderbolt 2 ports on the iMac the same as DisplayPort?

4. If I can use the iMac as a monitor for the MacBook Pro, can I use a full size keyboard and mouse via Bluetooth for input into the MacBook Pro while using the iMac as a monitor?

5. If using the iMac as a monitor for the MacBook Pro, will the iMac's built-in camera and speakers function for that configuration?

Since Apple no longer make newer 27" iMacs, I may be sticking with the MacBook Pro as the full-time use computer. If and when I decide to upgrade the external monitor from the iMac, what would be some appropriate external monitors to consider? Due to vertical space limitations, 27" size is likely the best size for that use.

Thank you.

 

[Nick on the Baltic]

Basically, no. See this Apple support doc .

I've not read that anyone has developed a hack for it. Would make a lot of people happy if someone did.

Edit: Except, now that I've looked again, it seems indeed someone did. See this article. Luna Display looks interesting.

--
Nick on the Baltic

 

[AZdgordon]

Thank you for replying. I’ll explore the work-around options you noted.

 

[Philip Flower]

Have a look at this - the Luna Display. I haven't used it but there are a few reviews and videos on YouTube and it does seem to work.

https://astropad.com/product/lunadisplay/

 

[F55]

I am in a similar situation. I have an older Intel 27" iMac and just got a 14"MBP M3. While waiting to see if Apple will come out with a larger-than-24" iMac, I have been using my iMac as a second monitor. Sometimes I mirror, sometimes I extend. No cables. Both have been calibrated and are EXTREMELY close to the same colors, brightness. It has worked out much better than I thought. There is no lag, even with a Wacom tablet. I don't use the older iMac at all except as a 2nd monitor.

There are rumors about a 30" iMac, or who knows another 27". Until then, I am happy with this setup.

Good luck

YMMV

 

[Nick on the Baltic]

An older iMac that supports target display mode?

 

[F55]

An older iMac that supports target display mode?

It is a 2019 27" iMac and no, it doesn't support Target Mode. Simply, using screen sharing from my MBP M3.