Using Macbook Pro as target display

[tokie]

I understand that with the 21.5" and 27" iMacs with Thunderbolt, you can use target display mode (i.e. driving the iMac screen with an external Thunderbolt video source).

Since the hardware is identical for the retina MacBook Pro, is it not possible somehow (even if hacking the software) to get video over Thunderbolt *IN* to the MacBook Pro screen?

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

I don't think you can. Why would you want to? I would guess if you had a rMBP and an iMac you would want the iMac to drive both.

 

[tokie]

I suppose I am not specifically talking about the rMBP but rather any Thunderbolt MacBook.

My idea was that one could get a very powerful mini ITX system and just plug it into Thunderbolt. That way, you get the gorgeous display of the rMBP and a powerful desktop to drive it for games etc. Still would be very mobile.

I don't think there are any hardware differences between the iMac and the MacBook Pro. So it should just be a matter of software.

 

[TheStu]

I don't think that it has to do with Thunderbolt. It was a feature on the iMac before they switched to TB. Also, I think that it is only on the 27" iMac.

It is a function of GPU, and firmware I would imagine.

 

[tokie]

I don't think that it has to do with Thunderbolt. It was a feature on the iMac before they switched to TB. Also, I think that it is only on the 27" iMac.

It is a function of GPU, and firmware I would imagine.

When it was miniDP, it was only on the 27". When they switched to Thunderbolt, it worked on both the 21.5" and 27" models.

That tells me it isn't a hardware thing but rather something in software.

 

[TheStu]

Ok, so a firmware issue perhaps? You can kludge it together with not real great performance with Teleport.