I'm seeing confusion in the comments: this is NOT an iMac - it's an Apple Thunderbolt Display from 2011. This is already an external display that is meant to attach to a notebook or desktop computer, and modifications are not required to use a Apple-Silicon Mac with one. Don't confuse this with using a 4K or 5K iMac as a dedicated monitor, because that is something which legitimately requires modification. Side note: these Thunderbolt displays are generally solid, but they're still more complex than your average monitor. Do note that, especially with age, these displays can sometimes become temperamental for one reason or another. If you wish to buy one, make sure you test it thoroughly before you make the transaction.
Fun video, but really, just put the mac mini beside the monitor like the rest of us do. FYI, there are tons of 2k monitors out there (2560 x 1440). Older Dell U2711 is one fine example. Cheers!
Hey Matt, I have an iMac 27” display, late 2015. Would this work to make my own M2 or M2Pro iMac! If if will work, I’m very seriously considering buying what I need and doing it. I’m a 65 year old (almost) Mac lover from back in 80’s-90’s. You’re the best!
Awesome 'hack'... you are a man after my own heart ! Just ordered my first mac mini after 20 years of owning imacs as they are so much better value for money in terms of spec and was trying to choose a monitor when I can across this. Absolutely love the idea of re-using an old screen, and building a 'sleeper' machine. Scouring eBay / FB for a monitor while I wait for the computer to land. Thanks for the links to the mounts - will get them now !
yes Luke Miani is a great youtuber.I thank you cos a lot of people are happy whit they imac mini and like this is a very great experience macmini m1 refurbished in the netherlands is like €350 euros and the thunderbolt like €150 euros and totally €650 Euros for that combo is a good choice. Thans watching in mei 2024
Really love the video and your setup. Quick question. Just bought an M2 Mac mini. I already have an iMac 27" late 2015 5K Retina display. Is there a way to use my iMac as an external display for my new M2 Mac mini. P.S. the new Mac mini is running Ventura 13.5 while the iMac is running Ventura 13.5.1. Please reply. Many thanks.
Pretty cool idea. I’ve got two Thunderbolt displays with twelve south riser stands. Might look to do the same myself with my Mac mini. It also worth people remembering you get a decent set of speakers and a webcam in that display so they are good value used for money even if only 1440p (though in some ways that’s better for Apple scaling than a 4K display).
I agree. I feel like 27" is about the right size for a display without being too big or too small and 1440p is the perfect resolution at that size where 100% scaling just looks great size wise. That's one reason why I really want a Studio display because 5K is pixel doubled 1440p, so it just hits all the sweet spots on resolution/size/retina when scaled to 200%/retina being essentially 1440p.
I plan to buy a MacBook in 2023!!Good luck for 500K subscribers Matt!. Wow this is such a creative idea,Love that you can still reuse the old iMac in such a way and give it brand new power by connecting the Mac mini!!.Thanks so much Matt for sharing this super cool idea-Love your informative and helpful videos-Keep up the great content,I appreciate your efforts!.
Hi Matt, I am a new subscriber and I found you on my UA-cam channel surfing around looking for Mac information. I used an updated 2012 MacMini coupled with the 27" Thunderbolt LED display. Until I can afford the new MacMini the 2012 will have to do. I used your suggestion about the mounts the exact same ones you have links for it worked great and it is very secure and sturdy. I paid $250 for the 27" Thunderbolt LED display. A local guy was selling his and it is in great condition.Thank You so much for the ideas and video ideas.
Very nice video. And I don't think people understand how good these displays still are good after 12 or 15 years. They are built by Apple and built to last. But a bit of information missing from it. Did I misunderstand you at 3:06 and you said that you CAN NOT hang the Cinema Display on the wall?? Yes you can. In this video you have added the VESA attachment where you still have the stand attached and looks odd just hanging there. Where there is the Cinema Display attachment. You can take off the metal stand and replace it with the wall mount attachment and then buy ANY wall mount that you want to have and attach it to the Cinema Display the same way you would to hang a TV or computer monitor. 4:45 You say they MUST buy the Thunderbolt display? People need to know that there are 2 different display's out there. And this means that they will need the right adapter to that display, which depends on what version of Cinema Display people have. LED or Thunderbolt display? (they look the same, but very easy to know which is which. Look at the back. The LED Cinema Display only has 3 USB ports at the back where the Thunderbolt display has 6 ports). If you have the Thunderbolt Cinema Display. Then yes you need the `mini display to USB-C´ adapter for that display. BUT.. For those that have the earlier 24 or 27 inch LED Cinema Display version (like I have). Then they need to have the LED `mini display to USB-C´ adapter for that display. But read the reviews of the adapter BEFORE buying. As many people are buying the cheaper ones. And in the reviews they are saying that they don't work when they get them.
I’m glad u credited Luke as he is really in advance from your own videos. As i told him you have to let go on iMacs. Apple made the move with those new kinda cube Macs n mini that exist from decades as you can plug any display from TV set to digital ones. The choice is so wide there is now reason to have a new imac that would be replaced so often! Sure old display can still be used which is a good thing so there is no need for a new useless imac!!!
Thanks for always keeping us updated on all the latest Apple tech and products. I am pretty new to the whole world of Mac minis. Giving people info on ways to create a PC at such an affordable price is genius! Can wait to get my hands on a MacBook Pro this year! Well done Matt!
HELP, PLEASE! I am trying to get my new MacStudio to work with my late 2013 27” iMac as the display with no luck. I’m using the Thunderbolt 2- USB-C adapter you have here out of my old iMac, into a thunderbolt cable, into my MacStudio, but it isn’t working… any ideas what I might be doing wrong?? I’m losing my mind trying to figure this out! 😩
Brill! I bet the price of those displays goes up on the used market. I tried using a mid 2011 iMac as a display with the m1 mini but it only had thunderbolt 1 and I was never able to get it to work. Thunderbolt 2 is key.
I just got a Mac mini m2. I’m trying to connect it to my old 27” inch Apple Cinema Display. I purchased the adapter and it’s not working. Any ideas or suggestions?
So this is just a lot of extra work to attach the mac mini to the monitor. I fail to see the benefit of this as compared to leaving the mac mini on the desk?
thx for the video, i've got 5 imac (2019 21,5) at my company and they are really slow si just bought new mac minis and i was looking for monitors so i just got to mod the imac and attach the mac mini behind it !!!
So in terms of getting the old imac to recognise the new mac mini am i right in thinking that in settings you simply set the target disk as MacMini rather than the original Mac HD and this works ? I'm just blown away that this could be the answer to my 2012 iMac upgrade.
It's a good idea but the screen quality of the older iMacs just isn't up to par with a modern display, thus making it hard to enjoy the capability of the Mac Mini.
GREAT tutorial Matt! Loved your handy work here! I have the normal Thunderbolt 27" from 2012 hooked up on my macbook pro 2019 with the same convertor. Works great. Does this thunderbolt display also work on the M2 mini?
When I mount my Mac Mini vertical I take the bottom black bracket off and it gives a lot of fresh air. Also it is a good idea to put a small cover between the Mac mini and the mount.
This looks really cool! Are you getting any pixel artifacting under the webcam? I have a 24 LED display and it keeps on doing that with 2 different adaptors.
I have several of these old Apple Thunderbolt displays, and I've been considering doing the same thing with my [eventual] M2 Mac mini. These displays are like an iMac without the brain, which is great. The only downside is that it's an older display and thus is 1440p. For most users, that's fine; however, at this point, I'm feeling there's not enough pixel density on a 27" display with 2560x1440 pixels. I really wish Apple had made a 5K version of this monitor years ago.
@@icantgivecredit871 only if they are 27 inch or under though. 1440p or 5K at 27inch but 4K at 32 inch isn’t native for Mac. I have the 4K at 23.7 lg UltraFine running at 1440p scale.
@@richarddcrossley You're correct about the scaling - but it is true the plenty of other monitors have such scaling... for what it's worth. I mean, 4K 27" wouldn't be the end of the world. In any case, a 5K version of this monitor should have existed in the first place instead of the 5K UltraFine. A $1,000 price tag would have been acceptable. The Studio Display came far too late and is way too expensive for what it is.
Been in the process of doing something like this. I have multiple Thunderbolt displays and a 5K panel. I have the new monitor in the chassis of the thunderbolt display, but I had to clear out all the other internals. Im hoping to be able to get everything loaded in one shell and only one power cable.
It’s a good idea because you can save money buying that monitor, as Apple’s monitors are all usually technology wise far behind anyways. That being said, I run dual monitors with my set up, and have a set of Samsung 4k monitors. Still cost less money for both of those then one of the new Apple monitors. 😊
Hi Matt, I plan to buy the MacBook Pro M1 Pro for my studies and programming ,hoping that its price will go down since the release of the MBP M2 pro , BIG RESPECT FROM ETHIOPIA .
Do you think you will try and make your own M2 or M2 PRO iMac?
Hlw Matt 🤗
Hope you are doing well..
I would love to make my own definitely ✨
What would you want matt?
will that work on iMac mid 2010 as well?
@@halimatussadia1754 you should give it a go!
@@gregorzvegelj423 Yup, if you gut out the iMac and put in a display board
I'm seeing confusion in the comments: this is NOT an iMac - it's an Apple Thunderbolt Display from 2011. This is already an external display that is meant to attach to a notebook or desktop computer, and modifications are not required to use a Apple-Silicon Mac with one. Don't confuse this with using a 4K or 5K iMac as a dedicated monitor, because that is something which legitimately requires modification. Side note: these Thunderbolt displays are generally solid, but they're still more complex than your average monitor. Do note that, especially with age, these displays can sometimes become temperamental for one reason or another. If you wish to buy one, make sure you test it thoroughly before you make the transaction.
and this was the moment i questioned why am i subscribed to this guy. ill see my way out 💨
Not what I thought this video would be, but still a good idea for an M2 with a 27” monitor on a budget
The old Thunderbolt displays are great.
Fun video, but really, just put the mac mini beside the monitor like the rest of us do. FYI, there are tons of 2k monitors out there (2560 x 1440). Older Dell U2711 is one fine example. Cheers!
I’d have used 3M’s 5kg Velcro for extinguishers to mount the Mac to the screen. Less parts, more elegant, but cabling would remain an issue.
I'm a proud owner off an Apple Tunderbolth Display, I might actually do this
Hey Matt, I have an iMac 27” display, late 2015. Would this work to make my own M2 or M2Pro iMac! If if will work, I’m very seriously considering buying what I need and doing it. I’m a 65 year old (almost) Mac lover from back in 80’s-90’s. You’re the best!
Awesome 'hack'... you are a man after my own heart ! Just ordered my first mac mini after 20 years of owning imacs as they are so much better value for money in terms of spec and was trying to choose a monitor when I can across this. Absolutely love the idea of re-using an old screen, and building a 'sleeper' machine. Scouring eBay / FB for a monitor while I wait for the computer to land. Thanks for the links to the mounts - will get them now !
Brilliant! So I’m now looking out for a thunderbolt 2 display!
yes Luke Miani is a great youtuber.I thank you cos a lot of people are happy whit they imac mini and like this is a very great experience macmini m1 refurbished in the netherlands is like €350 euros and the thunderbolt like €150 euros and totally €650 Euros for that combo is a good choice. Thans watching in mei 2024
not sure about iMac, cuz I dont have a Mac display. but definitely would like to have Mac mini m2 with my regular display.
I like this set up. Going to do this!!
DuctTaper works very well.
Looks like you had fun making this.
amazing, unique, out of the box video
Really love the video and your setup. Quick question. Just bought an M2 Mac mini. I already have an iMac 27" late 2015 5K Retina display. Is there a way to use my iMac as an external display for my new M2 Mac mini. P.S. the new Mac mini is running Ventura 13.5 while the iMac is running Ventura 13.5.1. Please reply. Many thanks.
the Thunderbolt apple display is still a great display.
Pretty cool idea. I’ve got two Thunderbolt displays with twelve south riser stands. Might look to do the same myself with my Mac mini. It also worth people remembering you get a decent set of speakers and a webcam in that display so they are good value used for money even if only 1440p (though in some ways that’s better for Apple scaling than a 4K display).
I agree. I feel like 27" is about the right size for a display without being too big or too small and 1440p is the perfect resolution at that size where 100% scaling just looks great size wise. That's one reason why I really want a Studio display because 5K is pixel doubled 1440p, so it just hits all the sweet spots on resolution/size/retina when scaled to 200%/retina being essentially 1440p.
beyond elegance o.O
So you’re basically using an iMac as a monitor for the mini Mac? Can buy a larger display for the price of used iMacs right?
It’s not an iMac, it’s an Apple Studio Display!
This will save so many ppl money now the pretty color I macs can run like beasts 😊
I plan to buy a MacBook in 2023!!Good luck for 500K subscribers Matt!.
Wow this is such a creative idea,Love that you can still reuse the old iMac in such a way and give it brand new power by connecting the Mac mini!!.Thanks so much Matt for sharing this super cool idea-Love your informative and helpful videos-Keep up the great content,I appreciate your efforts!.
Hi Matt, I am a new subscriber and I found you on my UA-cam channel surfing around looking for Mac information. I used an updated 2012 MacMini coupled with the 27" Thunderbolt LED display. Until I can afford the new MacMini the 2012 will have to do. I used your suggestion about the mounts the exact same ones you have links for it worked great and it is very secure and sturdy. I paid $250 for the 27" Thunderbolt LED display. A local guy was selling his and it is in great condition.Thank You so much for the ideas and video ideas.
So, in the end, this is just a MacMini using an Apple Cinema Display as monitor with some cable management?
This is just brilliant 😮
Super clever. Thanks for sharing.
Unfortunately doesnt work with my 27 " 5K retina iMac. I had to buy a Studio Display. Cant go back to 1440p display when youre used to the 5K
Cool video matt
I'm definitely getting that iPhone 15 Ultra when it comes out!
Very nice video. And I don't think people understand how good these displays still are good after 12 or 15 years. They are built by Apple and built to last. But a bit of information missing from it. Did I misunderstand you at 3:06 and you said that you CAN NOT hang the Cinema Display on the wall?? Yes you can. In this video you have added the VESA attachment where you still have the stand attached and looks odd just hanging there. Where there is the Cinema Display attachment. You can take off the metal stand and replace it with the wall mount attachment and then buy ANY wall mount that you want to have and attach it to the Cinema Display the same way you would to hang a TV or computer monitor.
4:45 You say they MUST buy the Thunderbolt display? People need to know that there are 2 different display's out there. And this means that they will need the right adapter to that display, which depends on what version of Cinema Display people have. LED or Thunderbolt display? (they look the same, but very easy to know which is which. Look at the back. The LED Cinema Display only has 3 USB ports at the back where the Thunderbolt display has 6 ports). If you have the Thunderbolt Cinema Display. Then yes you need the `mini display to USB-C´ adapter for that display.
BUT.. For those that have the earlier 24 or 27 inch LED Cinema Display version (like I have). Then they need to have the LED `mini display to USB-C´ adapter for that display. But read the reviews of the adapter BEFORE buying. As many people are buying the cheaper ones. And in the reviews they are saying that they don't work when they get them.
This is awesome. Great job on this. Love it
Simply ingenious!
Slick man.
Well done sir! Thank you.
Just my idea: i would spay paint the imac mount in silver so it won't stick out in white and will blend in with the display and imac perfectly 😅
Lovely video Matt
I’m glad u credited Luke as he is really in advance from your own videos. As i told him you have to let go on iMacs. Apple made the move with those new kinda cube Macs n mini that exist from decades as you can plug any display from TV set to digital ones. The choice is so wide there is now reason to have a new imac that would be replaced so often! Sure old display can still be used which is a good thing so there is no need for a new useless imac!!!
Thanks for always keeping us updated on all the latest Apple tech and products. I am pretty new to the whole world of Mac minis. Giving people info on ways to create a PC at such an affordable price is genius! Can wait to get my hands on a MacBook Pro this year! Well done Matt!
HELP, PLEASE! I am trying to get my new MacStudio to work with my late 2013 27” iMac as the display with no luck. I’m using the Thunderbolt 2- USB-C adapter you have here out of my old iMac, into a thunderbolt cable, into my MacStudio, but it isn’t working… any ideas what I might be doing wrong?? I’m losing my mind trying to figure this out! 😩
Brill! I bet the price of those displays goes up on the used market. I tried using a mid 2011 iMac as a display with the m1 mini but it only had thunderbolt 1 and I was never able to get it to work. Thunderbolt 2 is key.
Your joking
M2 pro Mac mini turned into an iMac for $200 if you already own the $1300 machine
you’re *
@soraandshiroamvs2079 I got it now thank you
That would be spelling NAZIS
😂😂😂😂😂
I just got a Mac mini m2. I’m trying to connect it to my old 27” inch Apple Cinema Display. I purchased the adapter and it’s not working. Any ideas or suggestions?
So this is just a lot of extra work to attach the mac mini to the monitor.
I fail to see the benefit of this as compared to leaving the mac mini on the desk?
It’s a mini with a Thunderbolt Display connected to it. It’s a 1440p screen. iMacs are 5K. This is night and day.
I've got a 5k iMac and plan to do just this!
Dear Matt!
You are the best among specialists. As always,fast, concise, fashionable.
Seriously, this video should get a AWARD for such innovative help on budget 🙏
You are very creative Matt 👌. Thanks a lot for sharing 🙏
Glad you liked it and thank you
thx for the video, i've got 5 imac (2019 21,5) at my company and they are really slow si just bought new mac minis and i was looking for monitors so i just got to mod the imac and attach the mac mini behind it !!!
So you essentially hooked up a MacMini to a Thunderbolt display? Cool.
Brilliant idea 🎉 Thanks!
I will be getting a Mac mini in 2023 and maybe a updated Apple Watch because mine is still 3rd gen
Cool mod!!! I wonder if a similar modification, can be done, someway, on a mid 2010 27" iMac ?
Hi Matt I love your Chanel and your videos , and I hope I have the M2 IPad pro this year❤❤
It's very informative video. Thanks Matt 😊
Glad it was helpful!
I can't help but notice this is using a Cinema Display and not an iMac 2011
What resolution is it? If it’s not 5k then not really going to good
Does the monitor retina display and support 4K?
I couldn’t be arsed! Just buy a display to plug it in.
So in terms of getting the old imac to recognise the new mac mini am i right in thinking that in settings you simply set the target disk as MacMini rather than the original Mac HD and this works ? I'm just blown away that this could be the answer to my 2012 iMac upgrade.
Really cool Matt! This for sure would help so many people
Beautiful
Beautiful
Beautiful
Thank you
Nice 1 Matt
This is a great video for those who would like to customize their iMacs, this year I would like to get the 14in MacBook Pro, great video🎉🎉
That's really good
It's a good idea but the screen quality of the older iMacs just isn't up to par with a modern display, thus making it hard to enjoy the capability of the Mac Mini.
Funny, this is what I was thinking and you are the only one who comments on this.
GREAT tutorial Matt! Loved your handy work here! I have the normal Thunderbolt 27" from 2012 hooked up on my macbook pro 2019 with the same convertor. Works great. Does this thunderbolt display also work on the M2 mini?
Thank you for everything, very helpful 😊 Please can someone list all we need to make it.
That's beautiful
Thanks for the video! Looking to get the iPhone 15 this year!
Interesting video, very clever!
Really impressive Matt! This for sure would help so many people
There are adapters that allows you to use previous non-thunderbolt Cinema Displays. I use one with a MacBook Pro (Intel).
It looks really good! I prefer to have the ports with easier access on my desk. I’m definitely going to buy the M2 Mac Mini!
Hi everyone when using this method is the mac mini able to operate at native 5k or is it running 1440p and upscale please? Thank you very much
When I mount my Mac Mini vertical I take the bottom black bracket off and it gives a lot of fresh air. Also it is a good idea to put a small cover between the Mac mini and the mount.
Really enjoyed this video well done 👍
This looks really cool! Are you getting any pixel artifacting under the webcam? I have a 24 LED display and it keeps on doing that with 2 different adaptors.
Ooh amazing!
Give it a go!
@@MattTalkTech ❤️❤️❤️
I have several of these old Apple Thunderbolt displays, and I've been considering doing the same thing with my [eventual] M2 Mac mini. These displays are like an iMac without the brain, which is great. The only downside is that it's an older display and thus is 1440p. For most users, that's fine; however, at this point, I'm feeling there's not enough pixel density on a 27" display with 2560x1440 pixels. I really wish Apple had made a 5K version of this monitor years ago.
True though at least it’s a native Mac resolution.
@@richarddcrossley If it's native Mac resolution, than so are other 2560x1440p monitors.
@@icantgivecredit871 only if they are 27 inch or under though. 1440p or 5K at 27inch but 4K at 32 inch isn’t native for Mac. I have the 4K at 23.7 lg UltraFine running at 1440p scale.
@@richarddcrossley You're correct about the scaling - but it is true the plenty of other monitors have such scaling... for what it's worth. I mean, 4K 27" wouldn't be the end of the world. In any case, a 5K version of this monitor should have existed in the first place instead of the 5K UltraFine. A $1,000 price tag would have been acceptable. The Studio Display came far too late and is way too expensive for what it is.
Yeah but the resolution is well below par for qhat resolution the Mini outputs, surely yo would be wanting at least 4K minimum.
this would be epic haha btw I plan to upgrade my firstgenSE to a Promax model this year, Thanks for the info Matt great vid as always✨
I need a new MacBook, but I hope they add some snazzy colors.
Great video - “sort of”
I thought this man was about to put the m2 guts is the monitor
Been in the process of doing something like this. I have multiple Thunderbolt displays and a 5K panel. I have the new monitor in the chassis of the thunderbolt display, but I had to clear out all the other internals. Im hoping to be able to get everything loaded in one shell and only one power cable.
Great new , it wow , apple is doing great with all these products, great work sir Matt my favorite channel ever ❤❤
Can I do this same upgrade for my 3yr old iMac 🖥️ 21”….?
So it's basically $200 in mounts and finding a cinema display?
It’s a good idea because you can save money buying that monitor, as Apple’s monitors are all usually technology wise far behind anyways. That being said, I run dual monitors with my set up, and have a set of Samsung 4k monitors. Still cost less money for both of those then one of the new Apple monitors. 😊
Nice job I did a similar install with a 4k tv but I figured out if you flip the Mac mini so the fan is face out it runs a lot cooler . But great video
Does keyboard control brightness? What about speakers and camera, working?
Yes it does. The Apple keyboard at least does I know for sure.
what about the bench marks did it go down?
Very cool
2K monitor? vs. 27" iMac 5K Retina display? Apples and oranges.
does the camera and mic and usb hub built into the display still work?
So you basically connected a monitor to a mac mini and called this and iMac? 😂
So connecting a monitor to a desktop mini computer is now called a conversion? :D
Hi Matt, I plan to buy the MacBook Pro M1 Pro for my studies and programming ,hoping that its price will go down since the release of the MBP M2 pro , BIG RESPECT FROM ETHIOPIA .