Mac mini with KVM switch

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Level 1

85 points

Mac mini with KVM switch

I'm thinking of getting a Mac mini, but I need my Windows PC for some apps that aren't available on Mac and some other stuff. I can't afford to get a large monitor for a Mini if I get one, but my current PC has a big flat panel display.I noticed the KVM cable way of moving your stuff (a cale taht lets peripherals like monitors, keyboard and mice be connected to two computers so you don't need a separate one for eache computer), and was wondering if that's a possible way of using both without buying monitors, etc. for the Mini.

Is anyone doing this, and if so, what do you think of using the Mini this way? Does it work well, and what are the pros and cons of doing this?

Thanks,
Ilya Smirnov

Posted on Jan 28, 2006 5:19 PM

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Answer 1

Jan 28, 2006 5:25 PM in response to Ilya Smirnov

its a perfect way to use the mac mini and a pc. i have a belkin kvm switch which works perfectly. the only thing that u ahevto worry about is what kind of connection you mouse and keyboard are becuase if they are ps2(the green and purple ports on the back of ur pc) you will need to get a ps2 kvm and a ps2 to usb converter becuase mac minis use usb for connecting or get a usb keyboard and mouse and then a usb kvm. but thats nothing to worry about.

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Answer 2

Ilya Smirnov Author

Level 1

85 points

Jan 28, 2006 5:43 PM in response to troydimock

So you haven't had any problems? (I talked to someone else earlier, and they had problems with the switch changing to the Windows PC very often by itself.)

One more thing. Is the switch literally like a switch, or does it use software?

Thanks,
Ilya

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Answer 3

Jan 28, 2006 6:07 PM in response to Ilya Smirnov

One more thing. Is the switch literally like a switch, or does it use software?

That will depend on the KVM switch you choose. Some have a dial and some have buttons to switch between the two. Some use a keyboard command to switch (which would be "software" but you shouldn't need to install any software).

-Doug

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Answer 4

Ilya Smirnov Author

Level 1

85 points

Jan 28, 2006 7:14 PM in response to Douglas McLaughlin

Thanks!

Ilya Smirnov

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Answer 5

Jan 28, 2006 9:03 PM in response to Ilya Smirnov

no i havent had any problems... with my belkin it is a keybaord shortcutt of pressing scrolllock twice and then either 1 or 2 depend on the computer u want to switch to, there is no software and it is the the easiest way of going in between two computers.

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Answer 6

Feb 22, 2006 8:01 AM in response to troydimock

I have a Belkin Omnicube KVM - have to push a button to get it to switch ports - PS/2 to USB converter. My problem is that when I boot up the Mac from a cold start, the scroll wheel on my mouse works fine; but if I switch to another kvm port and then come back to the Mac the scroll wheel doesn't work - everything else on the mouse works fine. Any suggestions?

Mac Mini Mac OS X (10.4.5)

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Answer 7

neonsox

Level 2

214 points

Feb 22, 2006 12:22 PM in response to sacserver

My experience with my Belkin KVM is also good, with the exception of one thing. I can't switch back to the Mini once I've switched to the PC. I have to unplug the PS2/USB adapter from the Mini and THEN do Scroll Lock-Scroll Lock 2. The KVM then switches, and I can plug back in. Everything works fine after that. It gets cumbersome though if you want to switch seamlessly between the two.

I only use the KVM for the KM part these days since my monitor (Samsung 930b 19" LCD) is able to switch between DVI and VGA by itself. And since I'm using the Windows box mostly for gaming these days, I use the DVI with the PC and the VGA with the Mac. The KVM was able to handle it without any distortion when I ran VGA on both of them. To the best of my knowledge, there isn't a cost-effective DVI KVM switch out there yet. I could be wrong.

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Answer 8

lz3broc

Level 2

420 points

Feb 22, 2006 2:37 PM in response to troydimock

i love my IOGEAR USB KVMP, they work great...

my wife and I have 2, one is a 4port that switches my 3 macs & 1 linux pc. the other is a 2port which switches my wife's eMac & winsxp pc.

they came with all cablesm no old crabby PS2, 100% USB.

only issue I dont like is no audio support. each box needs to have its own speakers.

best thing is USB sharing, we can share USB scanner and printer with both units.

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