[WOPR]

When the original iMac came out I seem to remember that inside, the screen was connected to the motherboard using a standard VGA plug and socket. So, could a dead iMac with a working screen be used as a stand-alone monitor if the socket was routed out of the back?

[Detrius]

Depends on what makes it a dead iMac. In general, I would say NO because without a working logic board, there's nothing to tell the monitor to turn on. It might be more worth your time to buy a 15" monitor.