Luna Display - Questions & Answers. Apple Silicon M1 M2 M3 Mac's, using your old iMac as a monitor
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- Опубликовано: 15 июл 2024
- In this video I answer commonly asked questions regarding using an older iMac as a screen for your brand new silicon based M1, M2 & M3 Apple Mac's, Mac Studio, Mac mini, MacBook Pro.
Using an old iMac as a screen will perfectly recycle your iMac and give it a new lease of life.
You can even use the hard drive on the iMac for additional storage.
💵Follow this link to purchase a Luna Display dongle
bit.ly/PhilsLunaDisplay
00:00 Introduction
01:33 Luna Display Dongle
02:06 MBP-Luna Display connection
02:46 Dual screen display
03:08 Launch Luna Display Secondary
04:34 Screen placement
07:16 Luna Display interface Close/Open
08:00 My recommendations
09:00 Use the HDD on your iMac
10:00 Stopping Screen Sharing
11:35 Starting Luna Display devices
13:17 Closing chat
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This sounds a great defibrillator style shock to keep my cherished late 2014 iMac alive. It really is too good to just recycle. It's such a high quality, thoughtfully designed piece of equipment I'm pleased to keep it alive and solve the vexing 'what monitor do I get for my new MacMini?'. $150 for Luna Display vs. $1500 for a new 27" Studio Display. No Brainer. I don't really need any more pixels. The 27" Studio Display is a lovely piece, but it's the same size as my old 2014. And the Pro Display XRD 32" is ridiculous money. Beautiful, but ridiculous.
Search for How to DIY studio display 5k by Luke Miani. Spent 170 bucks on a board and turned his late 2014 iMac into a 5k monitor. Good luck!! 😊
Hi Phil, great video and excellent Q&A. I have a question about the color profile on the Secondary iMac 4K machine, which color profile is best to use? Thank you.
Ideally you should make a custom color profile using a measurement device like a Spyder or i1 Display. Whichever profile you choose you should create it or select it on the iMac without Luna display being activated. This is because Luna Display is 'just' an application running on the iMac, therefore using the profile of the iMac. Profiling the main display should also be done without Luna Display running.
Phil, my understanding is that it is possible to connect two macs together directly via an ethernet cable in order to reduce the lag, and I think it even says that on their website, so no need to connect both computer in to a router. I have a luna adaptor on order and I'm hoping that is the case, as neither my new Mac Mini or my (old) 27" iMac are close to the router.
You're right about connecting both Mac's via an Ethernet cable. There's a bit of setup required relating to sharing preferences on both Mac's, which is not necessary if connecting to a Router. It also prevents you from connecting to your router unless you somehow get another Ethernet port (perhaps via a converter). Good luck and thanks for the nudge!
Just a quick follow up, not sure if I missed it. The Sonoma option I have found, does not easily continue through when I switch users or log off -- likely because of the iCloud Component you mentioned. Will the Luna remain the primary display for a Headless device (Studio Display or Mac mini M-series) across sign-in sign-out. This is implied by your answer about only needing a physical display for the initial set-up. Thanks so much. The Vendor needs to put your videos in the Documentation area of their Website, IMHO!
Headless mode is a little temperamental. It should work across restarts, and if when User Switching, the Luna Display app is running. Keep a separate monitor available for the odd occasion you need it.
Hi Phil. Thank you for all your video’s
The sound of the iMac is much better than the Mac mini. Is there a way to also use the speakers of the iMac ?
Thanks Richard
No. Unfortunately there doesn’t appear to be an option to use your iMac speakers whilst using Luna Display. You'd need to acquire separate speakers for better sound.
Hi Phil, thx for your response. Another question, have used or currently using a Thunderbolt 4 hub/dock with the luna display and if so does it work out well at all?
Not using a Thunderbolt hub, but the Luna Display should be directly plugged into the Mac to be sure of it working. I'm sure a good hub would work too, especially if the hub specs support display port protocol.
Thank you Phil for this video as I hope to be able to use my 21.5 inch 2017 imac as the main display for a future PC that I will use for photoshop and lightroom (I have been using Windows on the IMAC via Bootcamp for 5 years because it is an excellent display. I saw somewhere that I could use the luna display and connect the 2017 Imac to the new PC via ethernet to use the Imac as my primary display. Do you know anything about this?
Much as I think that using Windows on an Apple Mac is crazy!! my answer is yes, you can use a Windows computer to iMac. The Windows computer will need to have valid USB-C/Thunderbolt Display compatible port(s) (this is a given on any M-series Mac e.g. MacMini). It should work perfectly well, even better than 'Windows virtual desktops on a Mac'.
Thanks for a great, informative video. I just purchased this to connect my 2021 MacBook Pro to my 2017 iMac. Would I be able to see a 2nd monitor that is currently connected to my iMac? Hope that’s clear. Thank you.
However many monitors you can use on your Mac you will be able to see, one of which would be the iMac/Luna Display
However many monitors you can use on your Mac you will be able to see, one of which would be the iMac/Luna Display
Hi Phil, thx for your helpful vid! About to purchase a Luna Display, but just want to reconfirm: I bought a Mac Studio M2 and I want to use my iMac Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017 as a primary (single) screen. Will it work? Thx for your answer. Cheers from Holland.
Yes it will work but note that you need a second screen to set this up. It might be worth looking at my 'Headless Mode' video in the Luna Display' playlist too.
Hi Phil and thank you for your excellent videos.
My question is about connecting a Mac mini M2 and an old 27'' iMac - late 2012 as the main screen via a USB-C to Thunderbolt cable (may using an adaptor): is that possible ? does it allow to use the old iMac headphones ? and if so what would be the benefits of using Luna instead ?
Thx
Finding a USB-C to Display Port styleThunderbolt cable may prove difficult! You will not be able to use any of the audio functionality on the old iMac whilst using Luna Display, nor will you be able to use the built-in FaceTime camera. Luna display is solely for making the external device (iMac) a monitor. You will however be able to access all of the folders and files on the iMac.
I will like to use the ports on the iMac. Please help
Hello Phil,
thank you very much for your interesting video about Luna Display. For several years I have been using an iMac 5k 27" (late 2015) and an iMac 2K 27" (late 2011) as a second monitor via target mode. I'm planning on switching to Mac mini M2 and would like to use my iMac 5k as my main monitor. As I could see from your video, it seems to work with Luna Display. My question to you would be if you think I could still use the 2011 iMac as a second monitor? ...Do you think I can leave the current connection via Thunderbolt/Displayport between the two iMacs? ..or which setup do you think would make the most sense? Thank you in advance for your answer.
I completely understand your question, unfortunately there is no way to use a second iMac, your 2011 iMac, as the Luna Display only supports one and linking the other via thunderbolt won't work. This leads you to running your new Mac Mini with a separate standard screen, as i do right now! ... what to do with your 2011 iMac? perhaps sell it or use it as a spare with its' networked hard drive plus USB ports for charging etc.
Hi Phil, will this combo work: Apple Macbook Pro 14 M3 to iMac 27 (2019, i9) ??? Thanks in advance!
Definitely it will work.
Phil, Thanks for your great videos and for your patience with us fellow Mac users. I am thinking of buying an M2 Mac Mini and would like to use my 2015 iMac 27 " in headless mode using Luna Display. In that configuration will applications running on the Mac Mini such as Zoom have access to the speakers and camera on the 2015 iMac? Or do I have to buy separate speakers and camera and connect them to the Mac Mini?
You will have to connect new camera and speakers to the MacMini.
Thanks for your quick response.
Thanks Phil, can my iMac also be my main audio speaker too using Luna? It has pretty good sound as well as a 27inch 5k Retina display. Just got an Mac Mini M2 Pro and don't want to get rid of the old screen.
No, you won't be able to use the iMac's speaker, camera or microphone whilst using Luna display.
Hi Phil can you use Luna to connect 2 imacs as primary and secondary screens?
As far as I know you cannot connect 2 iMacs.
If I want to use 2 iMacs as a main and secondary screen for a Mac Mini M2 do I need to plug in a Luna Display to each iMac or only on the Mac Mini? Thanks for a really informative video.
At this point in time I understand that you can only use Luna Display with one iMac (as a monitor). The Luna Display dongle plugs into the the main Mac (MacMini/Mac Studio).
Thank you for your video, I would like to connect M2 MacBook with iMac late 2014 where are thunderbolts 2 for the external screen. I see that I should buy USB-C to USB-A cable, Is that correct? not USB-C to Thunderbolt or perhaps some adapters for the connectivity? Thank you!
either use USB-C to USB-A; Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 4 with converter - unlikely; or Ethernet.
Hi Phil, I have a macbook pro 13 m1 running Ventura and a 27’ iMac 2011 running opencore patcher Ventura. Will Luna work?
I guess it's 'meant to work'. If not ask Dortainia! Here's the system requirements page link:
help.astropad.com/article/157-system-requirements?sca_ref=3948717.ToH2p0eo7q
Hi phil, I have watched all your videos but am still unsure of the answer. To be specific, I have a 2017 27" iMac 5K retina and I want to use it as the primary (and singular) display for my Mac Studio. Can this be done with LUNA?
Yes, but make sure you watch my Headless mode video. I prefer to have a separate monitor which I use as a secondary. It makes the use of Luna display easier to work with as Headless mode is a little glitchy (Headless was designed for you to use an iPad as a screen).
Hello Phil, You say one can use the harddisk of the old iMac as a secondary drive to store thing on. My question is, do I have to migrate things from my old iMac to my new Mac mini or can I just let all data stay on the old iMac and use all this data from my new Mac mini. This saves spaces on my Mac mini.
Typically you will want to migrate all of your System based items, this will carry over apps, settings, passwords and other UI features. You won't need to transfer all of your documents, photos etc as they will be accessible from your old iMac. It is likely to take you some time to figure out what items you want to transfer to your new Mini and what you can leave on the iMac.
Hi Phil, I've an old IMAC mid 2011, can I make it as a second monitor for my Macbook pro M1 via an ethernet? Of course I'll use it with the ethernet adapter to USB C.
You'll need to confirm compatibility following this link:
help.astropad.com/article/157-system-requirements?sca_ref=3948717.ToH2p0eo7q
Hey Phil, if I connect an M1 Mac Mini to an iPad Air 5 via a USB-C cable (Thunderbolt 3), would it allow me to charge my iPad while using it as a display? & you don't need WiFi right? Thank you!
I don't actually have this set-up I believe that USB-C connection would also provide power to the iPad.
@@HelpfulPhil Thank you for your help!
Hi Phil I am interested in using my late 2013 iMac screen as a primary with a new mini m2. One guy in Apple said yes it can be done. He said to use a thunderbolt to thunderbolt. The other reason I would like to do this is that I have a 4tb drive on the iMac that i would still like to use. I am maxed out with the Catalina o.s.
As my video shows Luna Display is the way to do it. Yes you can use a Thunderbolt cable between the two, but it's easier and cheaper to use an Ethernet between them if you don't connect directly through a router.
@@philbinks yes I Have my ethernet cable right now plugged into the router and then my iMac.
*Great video, and great find,* that hopefully keeps my 2013 27" iMac and its beautiful display at work and out of the trash! I'm getting a refurbed M1 mac Studio box in a few days and got excited about marrying them and sidestepping getting a new display.
I'm a little less excited now that it seems the wired connection between the two will be via the USB 2 port on 2013 iMac and the USB 3 on Mac Studio. Sad cuz USB 2 is slower than USB 3. Old iMac has Thunderbolt 2 but new Mac Studio is TB4 so they're incompatible even with apple TB adapter (which Luna Display won't like anyway).
So only other wired connection option seems to be ethernet. We'll see what happens in a few days when Luna and Mac Studio arrive. Might need to get a newer old iMac ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I think you'll be surprised how good it is.
Hi Phil, I bought a iMac 27" late 2012 version 14.3 Sonoma, I already bought a Mac mini M1 about a year ago , can I use the Mac mini with the iMac , what do I need to just use both as one, or can I ? I don't want secondary screen, just one monitor? Thank u
I think you mean Headless mode. This video may help, but it's not an 'ideal' method of taking advantage of Luna Display.
ruclips.net/video/Cp2uJAVjsuE/видео.html
Hi Phil
I have a 5k 27” iMac 2015 with 2 other screens benq and samsung and im going to get the m3promacbook if i connect the new mac to the old mac will all 3 screens still work. I want to use the external key board and mouse as well.
Apple's site suggest M3 Macbook Pro supports 2 external monitors, though strangely it has 3 Thunderbolt Ports. The M3 Max seems your best bet as it supports 4 external monitors.
@@philbinks
Hi Phil
Ended up with the 16 inch M3pro as that’s as far as the budget could go. It’s great, screen size is good so with the two others will be close to what I had before.
Hi Phil. I have a 2023 mac mini M2 and I want to connect it to an iMac mid 2011 model year running high Sierra 10.13.6.The mac mini does not have a usb-c port. It only has a Thunderbolt 4 port. Is it possible to use the Luna Display with this mac mini and this older iMac?
Yes, you can use Luna Display with this set-up. Thunderbolt 4 uses a USB-C style port so you can plug in USB-C and Thunderbolt accessories.
Hi Phil, I have a 2021 iMac and bought a Windows Gaming Laptop is it possible to use Luna Display to use my iMac as the monitor?
it's unlikely that the response speed via Luna display would satisfy for gaming. Here's the specs for you to check.
help.astropad.com/article/157-system-requirements?sca_ref=3948717.ToH2p0eo7q
Hi there how do I use my old Mac’s hard drive if I use Luna
Try this video, I think it will answer your questions -
ruclips.net/video/QBYDYuvWl7o/видео.html
Can I use the Luna Display to use my late 2014 iMac 27" 5K as the secondary screen for my Lenovo Yoga Book 9i?
Check the Luna Display site, links in the description, as I don’t know the specifics of your Yoga Book
Thank you very much.
Hi, If i use the Luna Display for my MacMini M2 & iMac 27" 2014 . Can i also use the iMac cam and speaker for the MacMini? If Luna Display cannot support, is there any hardware or software can help? Thanks a lot.
You will not be able to use any other apps on your iMac whilst using the screen with Luna Display. It runs an app called Luna display Secondary which completely takes over the screen provinding the extended desktop from your MacMini M2. If you have an iPhone try Continuity Camera as your webcam, its way better than the camera in your iMac.
@@HelpfulPhil if the Luna Display also can take over use the iMac cam and the speakers will be perfect. I like to use the iMac for the single display for my Mac mini. So I no need to buy extra cam and speakers. I hope they can support in the future.
I wonder if that would work with a mid 2010 27'' imac? There's a display port, but that is not a Thunderbolt 1. Frankly, I don't see a difference between my 15 year-old screen and the 5k monitors, not being a pro user, so if I could use it as a main monitor for the mac mini, that would be great.
You don't need anything more than the USB-A port or an Ethernet/Network on your iMac.
Presuming that your MacMini has an M-series processor you would be able to connect directly via one of its Thunderbolt/USB-C ports to the iMac using a USB-A to USB-C cable, or just use Ethernet...even WiFi/Peer-to-peer works well, though not as fast as using cables.
I'm reviewing a 5K monitor with Luna Display right now, and in essence it just has a crisper view than the 2K screens.
@@HelpfulPhil Thank you for your prompt answer. I do think I got a bit confused. If I understand correctly, I plug the Luna dongle into a USB-c on the mac mini, and the ethernet ports (both on imac and mac mini) are just there to connect to the internet, am I correct?
@@TheVagaVid Your 'Secondary' iMac must be running macOS 10.13 High Sierra or later to be compatible with Luna Display. Direct connection using USB cables requires both Mac's to be running Mac OS10.15 or later.
Ethernet ports connect to your router for internal networking as well as external 'Internet' (presuming your router is connected to the 'net). You can directly connect your iMac to your MacMini with an Ethernet cable, but then external networking must be via WiFi.
Bonjour (i'm french) how to install luna display on MacStudio, if I only have one screen (iMac 27 late 2013) thank you. I already use Luna display with a MacBook Air 2015 ( luna minidisplay port)
Bonjour. I presume you are considering buying the Mac Studio, or have one which you can't use ?
You need to find a way of adding a monitor maybe with a HDMI converter to a TV for instance, or borrow one for the set-up.
If you want to use the iMac as the only screen, that is possible in Headless mode, but needs to be set up using a separate monitor first.
@@HelpfulPhil Thank you for your response, I will indeed connect the Mac studio to a television via HDMI to install Luna display program… Congratulations for the vidéos
How to load the secondary screen software for the old iMac late 2014 as there is no USB C port only Thunderbolt 2 ports?
The secondary screen (iMac) uses a programm/app called 'Luna secondary' Downloadable from the Luna Website, not hardware.
Thank you so much.
how I can improve the output quality ? to be honest, even I use C-C connect , Mac mini M1 to iPad Pro 2018, the quality not suitable for Video edit and video playing, only ok for base typing working .
this video is specifically relates to using an iMac as a screen, however my limited use of an iPad allows me to play videos from RUclips very happily with my USB-C to Lightning cable.
just to make sure, this will work with iMac m3 Sonoma to a older Mac? 2013
Yes.Presuming your 'older Mac' is an iMac.
Hi Phil, I've just bought a fully loaded Macbook Pro M3 Max and want to use my 2017 iMac Pro Intel chip 5k Retina as my main display. I would predominantly be using the display for video editing & animation.... do you believe that the lag / latency is noticeable ie will it be an issue?
I've just bought a 2015 5K iMac to test exactly that! I plan to release my test results video very soon (maybe this week). Suffice to say that early results are good. I recommend connecting via cable for the best results.
@@HelpfulPhil Great thanks Phil. Looking forward to the video! :)
@@HelpfulPhilWhen you say connecting via cable, do you mean USB Mac 2 Mac? Or Ethernet?
@@ShowMeTheSample Yes! either Ethernet or USB-C - USB-A cable...I use Ethernet directly to my router as this allows me to properly use both Macs on the network.
Hi Phil. I have a late 2013, 27 inch iMac with 32gb ram and 3tb storage running Catalina. I now need to run the latest adobe creative suite apps on a more recent OS X so I am aiming to get an M2 Mac mini and use the iMac as a screen. I am not clear if I can keep all the information / documents I currently have on the iMac and access / edit them on the new M2 Mac mini? Also could I easily escape from the M2's control and continue to use my iMac with OS X Catalina as I do now? I'm a bit confused over this!
You can keep everything on the iMac as it is. You can't run the applications on the iMac when using Luna Display but why would you when you have the latest versions running on a new M-series. You can access the files and folders on your iMac - see my video on that, so no need to transfer that data to your new Mac Mini. Finally make sure you have good connection 'preferably wired', and you may find yourself opting for a separate display if you feel that the Luna Display/iMac screen isn't fast enough as a primary monitor. I highly recommend connecting a separate monitor to work alongside.
Thanks so much for replying so quickly
. This is really helpful Phil@@HelpfulPhil
Hi Phil. Thanks so much for your reply. I now have my usb-c dongle and I am ready to go. But, another question I cannot see addressed, regards existing Time Machine back ups to the old imac- nearly 2.5tb of data. Will my external TM drive connected to the imac continue to backup new edits made to imac documents from the new M1 mac? Or is it possible to set up another external drive on the M1 mac to back up both computers? I also have backups via backblaze but I suspect I need to raise this question with them separately! If your videos have answered this please accept apologies - I could not see a reference. Stephen
@@cushioncap your Time Machine will continue to backUp your iMac. You'd need to configure backup of your new MacMini to either Time Machine or an external drive, your choice.
@@HelpfulPhil Thanks Phil, again most very helpful. I can see this more clearly now that I have installed Luna Display (LD). It was not immediately evident that the time machine back up on the imac would continue to work automatically in the background whilst the imac was operating LD and I will now be able to physically check that it does.Then have seperate TM to back up the Mac-mini.
Phil, I have an Intel 5K iMac 2020. You said that the Luna Display would work on Macs up to 2019. Will it not run on my 2020 iMac?
I meant iMac's, of course it will work with any Mac, but those lucky enough to have BOTH Macs running Mac OS Sonoma don't need Luna Display as they can use the Airplay receiver features of OS Sonoma.
I meant iMac's, of course it will work with any Mac, but those lucky enough to have BOTH Macs running Mac OS Sonoma don't need Luna Display as they can use the Airplay receiver features of OS Sonoma.
Phil, Airplay works but it only goes up to 4K (1,920 x 1080) It looks pretty ordinary on my 5K iMac unfortunately. @@HelpfulPhil
@@daviddownie817 I'd use a cable connection, either USB or Ethernet rather than a WiFi based connection for the best chance of high res and low lag.
@@daviddownie817 I'd use a cable connection, either USB or Ethernet rather than a WiFi based connection for the best chance of high res and low lag.
I bought it a couple month ago to Connect my macbookpro M1 to my late 2015 Imac ... but I really found it too slow, it was impossible to use sadly. No ethernet on my macbook so I have to use the wifi ... I feel a little bit scammed.
Try the USB-C to USB-A cable option between the two Mac's.
Will try this thank you @@HelpfulPhil
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