dig.photographer

Q: How to setup my office now that I am all Apple.

I started the move slowly, but now I'm there.  Entirely on Apple. All running El Capitan.  My desktop is a Mac Mini w/server late 2014 w/16G of RAM and 2TB inside.  I have a 27" Thunderbolt display late 2015. I have an early 2015 15" MBP w/16G and 1TB inside. My company's system is also an early 2015 15" MBP w/16G and 512G SSD inside.  I have a 16TB USB 3 enclosure for the MacMini Server.  I have an Apple wireless keyboard, magic mouse and touchpad.  When I ran windows with 2 or 3 systems, I had TRULink 4port KVM (USB & PS2 w/audio).  I would love to be able to just switch between the Mac Mini and each of the MBP as I need to, on the Thunderbolt display and using the Apple Smartkeyboard with magic mouse.  Is there a KVM out there that will allow me to do the same with Apple products?

Mac mini (Late 2014), OS X El Capitan (10.11.4), 16G & 2TB

Posted on Apr 13, 2016 4:09 AM

Close

Q: How to setup my office now that I am all Apple.

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by dwb,Helpful

    dwb dwb Apr 14, 2016 7:32 AM in response to dig.photographer
    Level 7 (24,053 points)
    Notebooks
    Apr 14, 2016 7:32 AM in response to dig.photographer

    I’ve not used a KVM for a long time but when I did the one thing I had to watch for was that it either supported switching by keypress for Macs or that it had a mechanical switch. Finding a FVM compatible with the Mac to switch USB mouse and keyboard will be no problem. I don’t know of any KVM that supports a Thunderbolt display but there are models that support display port. I also don’t know of any that support BlueTooth. However Logictech does have a wireless keyboard that can be paired to 3 different devices. I use one that I switch between my notebook, desktop and iPad but I have two mice on my desk.

  • by JeanLC,Solvedanswer

    JeanLC JeanLC Jul 20, 2016 4:51 AM in response to dig.photographer
    Level 1 (23 points)
    Jul 20, 2016 4:51 AM in response to dig.photographer

    Maybe You could use this: OS X Yosemite: Allow access using Remote Desktop (not only in Yosemit, El Capitan has this feature as well).

     

    In my little network I can use my Macbook Air, the Macbook Air of my wife (Yes, sometimes she allows me to do so) from the screen and the keyboard/trackpad of my Macmini.

    I think, that's exactly what You want.

  • by kahjot,

    kahjot kahjot Apr 13, 2016 4:45 PM in response to dwb
    Level 4 (1,337 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 13, 2016 4:45 PM in response to dwb

    If a MiniDisplay port KVM will work, this is probably a good option: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/876181-REG/Iogear_gcs1924_4_PORT_USB_2_MIN I.html

     

    I have an IOgear 4-port DVI KVM and it has worked very well. Personally, I would not have gotten an Apple display, especially not a Thunderbolt display, because I prefer matte screens and easier connectivity.

  • by dig.photographer,

    dig.photographer dig.photographer Jul 20, 2016 4:53 AM in response to JeanLC
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 20, 2016 4:53 AM in response to JeanLC

    I've been using this now for several months and its working flawlessly.  Originally, I had the MBP in another room, but found that audio is not transferred in Remote Desktop.  Fixed that by just moving the MBP into the office with me when I had to view a video.  Thank you.