Dual display KVM Switch for Mac Mini??

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Level 1

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Dual display KVM Switch for Mac Mini??

Hi guys

I'm new to the forum so apologies if this is in the wrong section.

I'm about to purchase a mac mini but I still need to use my PC, I currently have a dual screen setup on my pc with vga connecters.

I've seen that the latest version of the mac mini can support dual screens, but I'm struggling to find a KVM switch to run dual screens, I don’t necessarily need the KVM switch to control all aspects i.e. screen keyboard mouse and speakers, its mainly the screens anything else would be a bonus.

I've spoken to my local apple store and emailed belkin all to no avail, can anyone please point me in the right direction.

Thanks

Posted on Feb 20, 2010 8:41 AM

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Answer 1

Dah•veed

Level 9

65,461 points

Feb 20, 2010 12:28 PM in response to SE2Dude

The newest Mac minis, both Early and Late '09, have two video ports; mini-DVI (D) and mini-DisplayPort. You can run two displays without a switch. You just need the mini-DVI (D) to VGA and the mini-DisplayPort to VGA adapters from Apple or a 3rd party developer.

Dah•veed

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Answer 2

Feb 22, 2010 8:31 AM in response to SE2Dude

I have a G4 and a G5 on a (VGA) KVM switch. The G5 runs two monitors and the G4 only uses one. The KVM switch only switches one monitor, along with keyboard and mouse, so my left monitor switches between the two computers, while the right monitor stays on the G5. My mini is connected to the DVI inputs on my LG 22" monitors.

I haven't looked for any dual screen KVM switches so I don't know if any exist. With mini display to VGA or mini dvi to VGA your mini would work, switching one monitor. To use two KVM switches, to switch both monitors, I would say you would need a keyboard to activate each switch. If the monitors have VGA and DVI inputs, I would run each computer to separate inputs on the monitor: PC to the VGA input and mini to the DVI input with the supplied (comes with the mini) mini dvi to DVI connector and a purchased DVI cable.

When I tested my G5 connected to one monitor with VGA and the other with DVI I saw no difference in the two displays.

My computers like to be connected to the monitor at boot up, otherwise the screen resolution is not set properly. This topic comes up in a lot of KVM switch posts.

Tracy

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Answer 3

Asatoran

Level 4

2,532 points

Feb 22, 2010 1:41 PM in response to SE2Dude

Dual screen KVMs do exist, but they're usually not cheap. A couple of online places that advertise them:

[http://www.kvms.com/Landing/Dual-Video-Central.aspx|http://www.kvms.com/Landin g/Dual-Video-Central.aspx]

[http://www.kvm-switches-online.com/dual-head-kvm-switch.html|http://www.kvm-sw itches-online.com/dual-head-kvm-switch.html]

(Disclosure: I do not work for either company.)

I have a 2009 Mini with two screens. Both screens are attached to "single screen" KVMs. KVM1 is to switch between the Mini and a desktop PC, using the PC's keyboard. KVM2 is to switch the second screen between the Mini and a Windows Server, using the server's keyboard. The Mini also has the Apple keyboard and mouse attached. So in "Mac mode", I have three keyboards and mice. 🙂 Obviously, I have a unique situation and if you want to switch both screens to the same PC, then this el-cheapo dual-screen KVM won't work. Perhaps if you don't mind having the multiple keyboards, but it's still going to be two steps to switch both monitors instead of just one.

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