KVM or USB switch or multi-device enabled peripherals...

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KVM or USB switch or multi-device enabled peripherals...

I have a Mac mini M1 and an HP Elitebook windows work laptop with a docking station.

I want to connect to my USB-C Dell U2720QM monitor + 2006 Apple Cinema HD display (DVI) as well as use just 1 keyboard and mouse across devices and my Logitech C922 webcam (USB-A) and ideally also a pair of speakers with phono jacks, though less critical.

I found that the Apple HDMI to DVI adapter doesn't work for the old cinema display, I need to use a 3rd party USB-C to DVI which works fine and that necessitates that I use the HDMI connection from the Mac to the Dell monitor; which is a shame as I lose all the downstream functionality on the Dell monitor!

The windows docking station has 2 DP outputs so it can connect direct to the Dell monitor, which also has DP input and for the Apple Cinema Display, I have a functional DP to DVI adapter.

So today I am able to use my Mac with 2 displays when plugged directiy and also plugging the webcam and speakers to the Mac.

I have the laptop docking station DP cable inserted in the Dell monitor as well so when I want to use the laptop, I use the monitor menu to switch input to DP. I then have to unplug speakers and webcam and plug into the docking station and I also need to unplug the Cinema Display adapter and plug to the DP to DVI adapter from the docking station. It's a bit fiddly. I have 2 complete sets of keyboards on my desktop right now.

My plan is to get a Logitech MX Keys keyboard with an MX 3 Master mouse and 2 unifying receivers plugged permanently to the Mac and the docking station respectively. That should eliminate the need for 2 keyboards and mice.

I am then thinking to get a USB Switch with USB-A ports to switch the webcam between the 2 computers.

Then as a compromise I am thinking to permanently plug the company laptop to the Cinema Display and the Mac to the Dell monitor using USB-C. Also I will plug the speakers to the Mac where I consume media mainly and not have speakers plugged to the laptop at all.

Not ideal as I won't have a dual monitor setup on any of the computers and not sharing speakers but I will be able to utilise the webcam (also as a microphone..) on both and reduce 1 set of keyboard and mouse.

Can you think of a better way that might work so I can use dual monitors and perhaps even speakers?

Mac mini, macOS 11.1

Posted on Jan 23, 2021 7:37 PM

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Answer 1

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NavarroOne Author

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9 points

Jan 28, 2021 7:00 AM in response to NavarroOne

Heck yeah, just entered the public beta program and downloaded Big Sur 14.2 and YES the old (2006) 23" Apple Cinema HAD monitor with DVI input, now works beautifully on Apple’s HDMI to DVI adapter, which means I can now use the 2 USB-C ports for my external SSD and for my USB-C 4K Dell Monitor; which in turn provides me with a reasonable number of reasonable speed downstream USB-A and USB-C additional ports.

My Mac mini life is now almost complete; getting the Logitech MX Keys keyboard + MX 3 Master mouse in a few days which negates any bluetooth issue with the unified dongle and allows just 1 keyboard for my work windows Laptop and my Mac. Also getting a UGreen KVM to allow fast switching between the 2 computers, utilising my Logitech C922 webcam and with the work computer connected via DP, I can easily switch between the 2 computers by the shortcut key on the Dell monitor. It means my Mac provides me with 2 screens and access to all peripherals while the windows laptop can access the main dell monitor, keyboard and mouse and webcam and they all also share the B&O speaker connected via the monitor so I think just about all my Mac mini and work computer setup issues are now done.

So happy that 14.2 fixes the HDMI to DVI issue, freeing up that extra USB-C port

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Answer 2

NavarroOne Author

Level 1

9 points

Jan 24, 2021 1:53 AM in response to NavarroOne

Update: I found that plugging the 3.5mm jack of the speakers to the Dell Monitor allows which ever computer is sending video to the Monitor to also output sound via the monitor to the speakers; as sound can be carried from the Laptop via DP and from the Mac via HDMI or USB-C. I also found I can leave the USB-C plugged in for the Mac along with the HDMI which enables the monitor to work as a hub for the Mac. When I start up the Laptop, I just have to click the shortcut menu on the monitor to prioritise the DP input and I now have both speaker sound and video (on my main monitor). Then I can use the Mac simultaneously on the Cinema Display. When I turn off the laptop the Mac automatically starts using 2 displays again.

Still proceeding with the Logitech MX Keys keyboard and MX 3 Master mouse and 2 unifying receivers, hereunder to get around the bluetooth issues on the Mac Mini. Also still need a USB Switch 2 to 1 to switch the webcam between the 2 computers.

I guess some fine day when I get a new laptop with USB-C charging/display/sound from a single cable, that I can plug all peripherals into the USB-C monitor and enjoy the monitor as a docking station; though since there aren't two upstream USB-C inputs on the monitor, I may need a USB-C KVM/switch at that point.

I wonder if the Cinema Display somehow could be daisy chained to the Dell display, then whatever computer connected to the Dell should send output to both...or?

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KVM or USB switch or multi-device enabled peripherals...

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