kvm switch recommendation between PC and Mac

I've had good results with the KVM switches from IOGear:

http://www.iogear.com/kvm-switch.htm

I have a couple of the four-port units, one VGA and one DVI, and they've been problem-free.

Regards.

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I am using a KVM switch to move my monitor and mouse between a PC and a MacBook Pro. On my Logitech keyboard I type Function then hit the Pause Break key twice. I would like to use the Mac wired keyboard, however, I don't know what keys to press to switch. Any suggestions?

Ask whatever company made your KVM what keys to press on a Mac keyboard.

Regards.

FYI - I spoke with IOGear support. They were very helpful. First, I established my "hot key" for toggling between the Mac and the PC by clear, - key, release - key, release clear (needs to be done quickly in about two seconds). Then hit the T key. To switch between Mac and PC now hit the control key twice.

HI there, did you ever find a good KVM that works from a mac to pc? I'm also trying to find the same thing. A lot of folks have KVM switch recommendations but none that testify it works from mac to pc (they do all seem to work from mac to mac or PC to PC type thing).

Thanks!

I have used a KVM between a Mac and a PC in the past and in theory there should be no specific issues relating to that. You would want one in this case that switched VGA video and USB for the keyboard and mouse.

There is one issue to be aware of. VGA is a very old standard and is not really well supported on modern Macs i.e. those using a Mini Displayport interface. Yes you can get a Mini Displayport to VGA adapter and you would need one to do VGA at all, but there are lots of reports of issues whereby it might not initially 'detect' the VGA monitor signal and require either multiple efforts at disconnecting and reconnecting the cable/adapter or even rebooting. Ideally you would use either DVI or HDMI connections but of course in your case your constrained by what your old PC laptop has available.

You say you are using a Dell docking adapter. Most of these have VGA and at least one other video interface - possibly a Displayport connector. If so it might be possible to use a Displayport to DVI adapter and then use DVI on both the Mac and PC. Or use a Displayport to HDMI adapter and then use HDMI on both.

Note: You can also use a DVI to HDMI converter to allow the Samsung to accept DVI.

I would therefore have a closer look at your dock and see what connectors it has and if possible consider using a HDMI adapter and KVM.

I am using a iogear GCS932UB 2 port DVI switch. It seems to work okay so far, but one issue I identified is that it doesn't recognize my wired mighty mouse as such, reverts it to a plain mouse in my preferences on mac loosing all the features. One workaround is having two mice but that kind of defeats the purpose. I haven't found any other issues thus far, but just been using for a few days. I would like a tip if someone finds a Mac fully compatible KVM switch in the future.