Best way to connect and work with two Macs

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Level 1

32 points

Best way to connect and work with two Macs

Hello,

I'm looking for information on the best way to use connected two Macs. For example a Mac Pro 5.1 and a new Mac Mini. To easily access files from one machine to another. What is the best process?

What type of connectors works the best? Some files are big image/video files.

Sharing the same monitor (no problem) or even using two monitors.

Both machines must use the same macOS? Or High Sierra and Mojave (as an example)?

Thank you very much for your suggestions and help.

Mac Pro, macOS High Sierra (10.13.6), Eizo CG241W

Posted on Nov 13, 2018 11:54 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Kappy

Level 10

361,831 points

Nov 13, 2018 12:04 PM in response to ateliercunha

Connect each computer to your local network and enable File Sharing on both. Ethernet is the best connection. The computers need not be using the same version of macOS.

If both computers have FireWire or Thunderbolt ports then you can directly connect the two computers. Also, see Target Disk Mode.

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Answer 2

Kappy

Level 10

361,831 points

Nov 14, 2018 11:56 AM in response to ateliercunha

There is no easy way for something else. Apple doesn't seem to have a TB3 to FW adapter but they do have a TB2 to FW adapter. There is also a TB3 to TB2 adapter but I have no idea if such an arrangement will end up working. This sort of leaves the Ethernet-LAN the only solution.

For Question 1 I would say yes if all the drives can be accessed via your LAN. If a computer is connected then all directly attached drives should be accessible. If the router allows one attached drive then more could be daisy-chained.

For Question 2: I don't know. I would give it a try if it's important that you can do it.

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Answer 3

ateliercunha Author

Level 1

32 points

Nov 13, 2018 4:08 PM in response to Kappy

Hi Kappy, thank you for your help.

No need to use the same macOS. Thats good news.

Please lets focus on the example I gave: a Mac Pro 5.1 (mid 2010) with High Sierra and a new Mac Mini with Mojave.

Solution 1:

Both with ethernet. An ethernet cable+File Sharing and its working ,-) Excellent!

Solution 2:

Between these two specific machines is there a faster way to make this connection; faster than ethernet?

The Mac Mini has Thundelbolt 3 and USB-3 (not Firewire).

The Mac Pro 5,1 has Firewire and USB (old version). What is supported or not or could be upgrade in the Mac Pro to make the best connection with the 2018 Mac Mini?

Another 2 question, please:

1. Can I share/see all 4 internal Hard Drives from the Mac Pro and copy files from all 4 to the Mac Mini, edit files and return those edited work to the "warehouse"-Mac Pro again?

2. Can I use just one monitor for both computers? My Eizo monitor support two DVI-I signals.

Thanks.

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Answer 4

kahjot

Level 4

2,463 points

Nov 13, 2018 6:37 PM in response to ateliercunha

You should check the info for the Eizo to see what is involved in connecting it to two machines and switching between them. It sounds like you can hook up two computers to it.

I have four Macs sharing my NEC monitor via an IOgear KVM switch, which has the added advantage that I only need one keyboard. The Macs are connected to my local network by ethernet, and are running Tiger through Sierra.

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