Q: 2006/2012 mac pro KVM switch?
hi all,
i need to get a "KVM" switch to (i guess) switch my monitor between my 2006 and 2012 mac pro. i am looking on the IOGear website as someone recommended a specific model to me but i have to find this recommendation and i can't quite figure out if i have options or what i need exactly. OWC does not seem to have much.
i've got a 27" (i believe) cinema display with a Mini DP, USB and magsafe power port and i have a 2006 mac pro with a DVI connection (i have to use a "Mini-DP to DVI Belkin converter to get from the 2006 to the cinema display) and i have a 2012 with a Mini-DP port.
anyone know what specs i need for this?
also, assuming i have the room on my desk is there a good reason to get a used mac monitor instead of the KVM switch?
THANKS
Mac Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10.1)
Posted on Dec 28, 2014 4:35 PM
The photo shows a dual-link DVI port on the left and the other two are "MIniDisplay Port" connectors. With this setup you should be able to use two monitors or even three monitors after all -- the 30" Cinema display on the dual-link DVI port and two other monitors (1980x1080 or less) on the Mini DisplayPort connectors (or another dual-link DVI type monitor with a "Mini DisplayPort to DVI dual-link compatible adapter").
So to make it more explicit - you can attach these Cinema type super-high res (2560x1600) monitor to either the DVI port (with a dual-link DVI to dual-link DVI cable to the monitor) and/or a "Mini DisplayPort to dual-link DVI adapter" cable (the two Mini DisplayPort connectors on the MacPro side and the DVI connector on the monitor side).
Do you have a local Apple store to go talk to someone in person so that there is no confusion about the cable you need for your MacPro and whatever monitors you end up using? It sounds like you're trying to be absolutely certain this is gonna work (and I don't blame you), but I'm just going by what I read and my experience with monitors and computers. I've never personally had this sort of set up with a Cinema type monitor runnning in 2560x1600 mode, so that's why I'm suggesting this so you feel good about whatever way you decide to go.
good luck...
Posted on Dec 29, 2014 6:40 PM
