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The Daily Insight

Can I hook my iMac up to a monitor?

Author

Christopher Pierce

Published Mar 02, 2026

Can I hook my iMac up to a monitor?

You can connect one external display to your Mac using either of the Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports. On iMac and Mac mini, connect your display to either of the ports with the Thunderbolt symbol . On Mac mini (M1, 2020), you can connect a second display to the HDMI port.

Does 2017 MacBook support external monitor?

The Thunderbolt ports on your MacBook Pro support video output. You can use an external display, a projector, or an HDTV with your MacBook Pro.

How many monitors can a 2017 iMac support?

FWIW, this document from Apple says that the Retina iMac can support two Thunderbolt displays (2560×1440). It also says that each Thunderbolt port can only support one display of any kind, and so that would limit the iMac to two displays total.

Can you connect a Thunderbolt display to an iMac?

Connect an Apple Thunderbolt Display: Plug the display’s cable directly into the Thunderbolt port on your Mac. For newer Mac computers, use a Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter to connect the display to your Mac.

Is USB-C the same as Thunderbolt?

Thunderbolt 3 ports look exactly the same as USB-C ports, and indeed, the connector is physically the same from a plug-in perspective. Indeed, Thunderbolt 3 is a superset of USB-C; you can plug a USB-C-only device into a Thunderbolt 3 port on a computer, and it’ll work just fine.

What is the best monitor for MacBook Pro 2017?

Best external monitor for Macbook Pro 2017?

  • Dell UltraSharp 27″ InfinityEdge Monitor U2717D.
  • LG 34UC98-W – Curved de 34″ Quad HD LED IPS, Res 3440 x 1440 QHD, SRGB 99%
  • Dell Ultra HD 4k Monitor P2715Q 27-Inch Screen LED-Lit Monitor.
  • LG Electronics UM95 34UM95 34-Inch Screen LED-Lit Monitor.

    Can you connect 3 monitors to an iMac?

    You may be able to connect more than one display to your Mac. To do so, you need a video cable for each display, and you might need an adapter. See the Apple Support article Adapters for the Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C port on your Mac or iPad Pro.

    Can I use 2020 iMac as a monitor?

    You cannot use your 2020 iMac as an external display.

    Which is faster USB-C or Thunderbolt?

    Thunderbolt 3 lets you transfer data at up to 40Gbps. That’s twice as fast as the 20Gbps maximum throughput speed of the fastest USB-C ports, and four times as fast as the original Thunderbolt interface.

    Can you use 2021 iMac as a monitor?

    No. The new M1 iMac doesn’t support Target Display Mode, a feature that in the past has allowed you to use an older iMac as an external display.

    Can I plug thunderbolt into USB-C?

    Thunderbolt 3 uses the USB-C connector, but not all host connections, cables, and devices with a USB-C connector support Thunderbolt 3. This means that a USB-C device is compatible with a Thunderbolt 3 host connection, but a Thunderbolt 3 device is not compatible with a USB-C host connection.

    Can a 2017 iMac connect to an external monitor?

    I have a 2017 27″ imac which I’m about to start trying to connect to an external monitor via Thunderbolt 3 to displayport adapter. When Macs get confused, the PRAM stays confused until you reset it. MoreLess Jun 24, 2017 6:05 PM

    When did Apple start selling external Mac displays?

    From 1999 until 2016, Apple released and continued to sell a series of external digitally connected displays optimized for Mac users.

    Is the iMac 27 connecting to external displ?

    2017 iMac 27 connecting to external displ… – Apple Community Global Nav Open MenuGlobal Nav Close Menu Apple Shopping Bag Search Support Cancel Apple Mac iPad iPhone Watch TV Music Support Shopping Bag Cancel CommunitiesGet Support Sign in Sign in Sign in corporate BrowseSearch Communities Sign in Ask a Question Browse

    How can I connect my iMac to a 5K monitor?

    I first tried connecting an LG Ultra Fine 5K display using the supplied cable. It worked for a few minutes, and then it started flickering until it just blacked out. I tried a different cable (Belkin Thunderbolt 3) with no luck. I also connected it to a ViewSonic 4K monitor through the Display Port using a Display Port to Thunderbolt 3 adapter.

    I have a 2017 27″ imac which I’m about to start trying to connect to an external monitor via Thunderbolt 3 to displayport adapter. When Macs get confused, the PRAM stays confused until you reset it. MoreLess Jun 24, 2017 6:05 PM

    Can a 2010 iMac be used as a monitor?

    You have an old Mid 2010 27″ iMac with a Mini Display Port which can be used as an external monitor to your Mid 2017 iMac with Thunderbolt 3. This may involve using adapters.

    I first tried connecting an LG Ultra Fine 5K display using the supplied cable. It worked for a few minutes, and then it started flickering until it just blacked out. I tried a different cable (Belkin Thunderbolt 3) with no luck. I also connected it to a ViewSonic 4K monitor through the Display Port using a Display Port to Thunderbolt 3 adapter.

    How many monitors can I connect to my iMac?

    The 5K iMac can support up to 2 displays plus its own for a total of 3. If you need to support all 3 external displays, then a Mac Pro can do so just fine: Display Support. Connect up to: Three 5K displays. Six Thunderbolt displays.