A while ago, Apple used to include a software feature with macOS on older iMac models.It was called Target Display Mode, and it allowed you to turn an iMac into an external display once your iMac was too dated to be a usable computer.The company got rid of it with the introduction of the 5K iMac due to technical limitations at the time – though said limitations no longer pose a challenge.
As mentioned, Apple previously got rid of the feature due to technical limitations.After the company introduced the 5K iMac in 2015, it was no longer possible to drive that much display bandwidth over a single cable.At the time, Thunderbolt 2 simply wasn’t capable, so the previous 2014 iMac models were the last models to support Target display mode, thanks to their lower resolution displays.
Apple then begun deprecating the functionality with macOS Mojave.If you had a 2014 iMac or prior, it couldn’t run Mojave and serve as an external display.It then fully killed the feature with macOS Big Sur.
Macs no longer recognized older iMacs as potential display outputs.Nowadays, Thunderbolt 4 and Apple Silicon certainly have the bandwidth to support such a feature – so what gives? Bringing back Target Display Mode When you mention the idea of Apple reintroducing the feature, many will point to the fact that Apple would much rather sell you a Studio Display, which costs $300 more than an iMac without actually being a computer.An iMac comes with a keyboard, mouse, and actually runs macOS.
Many suggest that if Apple were to bring this feature back, nobody would buy a Studio Display.In my opinion though, nobody buys a Studio Display already.It has its market, but it’s incredibly niche.
Despite that fact, I’d like to point out that the iMac is still a smaller display panel, less bright, and has one major deterrent: white bezels.With all of these factors in mind, a lot of buyers who are cross shopping would likely opt for the Studio Display anyways.Realistically, if target display mode returned – I think it’d help existing iMac owners the most.
It’d save these great display panels from going to waste once people inevitably need to upgrade.Wrap up At the end of the day, with Apple making sustainability one of their core principles of product design, I don’t think it makes sense to strip the iMac of a critical feature to prolong its useful lifespan – seemingly just to protect sales of the Studio Display.Plus, the next generation Studio Display is rumored to introduce a 120Hz miniLED panel anyways, which would make it a far more compelling purchase over the iMac anyways – at least for anyone who’s just comparing display specifications.
Bringing this feature back is likely just a matter of a simple software update.It’s time for Apple to flip the switch.While they’re at it, they should also bring back Front Row.
Buy more affordable 5K Studio Display alternatives on Amazon:
LG UltraFine 27″ 5K Display – $764 on Amazon (Renewed)
ASUS ProArt 27″ 5K Display – $849 on Amazon
ViewSonic VP2788 27″ 5K Display – $949 on Amazon
BenQ PD2730S 27″ 5K Display – $1399 on Amazon
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