IMac – Could I use an older iMac as a second monitor for a Dell Latitude E7250 w/mini display port

displayimacthunderbolt

I have a 21.5" iMac from late 2009 that runs great. For work I have a Dell Latitude E7250 that has a mini display port. The mini-display port cable fits into the iMac but is this a "Thunderbolt" port and not really a mini-display port at all?? Are they the same thing?
If a had a mini display port to mini display port cable would I be able to use the iMac as the second monitor?
Is that the correct cable?
What keystrokes would I need to get this going?

Thanks in advance for your consideration of my question.

Best Answer

The Thunderbolt port can be used for Mini-DisplayPort. In theory, you should be able to use Target Display Mode because you are using a Windows machine as your primary display. [See Use your iMac as a display with Target Display Mode and How to transmit my PC onto my iMac?. However, as mentioned in the latter link, you can use Microsoft Remote Desktop. Therefore, you could try using a Mini-DisplayPort to Mini-DisplayPort cable, but Microsoft Remote Desktop would be a safer bet.

Instructions for Target Display Mode:

Update: the Late '09 iMac can accept Mini-DisplayPort connections, so you should be able to use a Mini-DisplayPort cable.

  1. Make sure Make sure both computers are turned on.
  2. Connect the Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt cable between the two computers.
  3. Press Command-F2 on the keyboard of the iMac that you want to use as a display.
  4. To exit, press Command-F2 on the keyboard of the iMac that you want to use as a display.

(from https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204592)

Instructions for Microsoft Remote Desktop:

  1. Download the Remote Desktop Client from the Mac App Store.
  2. Set up your remote PC to allow remote connections. (Allow Remote Access in Control Panel)
  3. Create / Edit Remote Desktops, or add Remote Resources using the Remote Desktop client.

Creating a Remote Desktop

  1. On the Connection Center screen, click New.
  2. In the Edit Remote Desktops window, enter information for the remote desktop connection
  3. Click the close button to save the remote desktop.

(from https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn473012(v=ws.11).aspx)

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