On Tuesday Apple refreshed its iMac product line with new 21.5-inch and 27-inch models, adding quad-core i5 processors and faster graphics across the board, and introducing Thunderbolt, the new Apple and Intel-branded high-speed I/O interface. Some Loop readers have asked us if the new iMacs support Target Display Mode, a feature of the previous-generation 27-inch iMac model that enabled you to use it as an external display for another computer. Macworld’s Dan Moren picks up the story:

“Apple has confirmed to Macworld that the new iMacs can be used as external displays via their Thunderbolt ports. However, to do so, you’ll need a Thunderbolt-equipped Mac, such as one of the early 2011 models of MacBook Pros.”

In other words, older Macs – even those with Mini Displayport interfaces, which look like Thunderbolt ports – won’t work. This is bound to create a bit of confusion in the marketplace.

New iMacs support Target Display Mode via Thunderbolt [Macworld]