just bought a new mac mini

[ghostterm42]

hi guys,

I just bought my mac mini today at best buy and I haven't hooked it up yet. I was talking with someone at Bestbuy today and he was pretty knowledgeable on a lot of stuff. right now I currently have an HD Monitor along with my old computer and mac mini.

I want both of these computers to connect with my monitor.

I was talking with him today and he pointed something out which was genius because I wouldn't have thought of it.

My old pc I use a VGA cord to connect my monitor, well the mac mini I'll use an HD cord and he said that there should be a switch somewhere on the monitor when you can switch from the 2 computers.

but I was talking with him though today and he said that I couldn't use my current speakers that I have now with both computers, so I went ahead and bought a new set of speakers and just will use both whenever I decided to use the other pc.

my only problem is now, I completely didn't think of it, but big question is....

will I be able to use my keyboard and mouse to my old pc and use them with my mac mini?

If I can't is there any adapter that I can use that way I can use one set of speakers, one mouse, one keyboard, and one monitor to both PC's?

Thanks

 

[brownn]

something like this would do what your looking for http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Switch2-KVM-Mac-Mini/dp/B000HA45X6

Although this is VGA only (could use a displayport->vga adapter on your mini) but would allow for you to use 1 keyboard, 1 mouse, 1 set of speakers etc

 

[ghostterm42]

something like this would do what your looking for http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Switch2-KVM-Mac-Mini/dp/B000HA45X6

Although this is VGA only (could use a displayport->vga adapter on your mini) but would allow for you to use 1 keyboard, 1 mouse, 1 set of speakers etc

I guess I would need 1 that works with both hdmi and vga

 

[gooberlx]

Depending on how how much you want to spend, or if you prefer using the DVI connection on your display, you'll want to look at KVMs.

If you're happy using just analog VGA, then buy something like this + this + this (if you need it) and you should be good to go.

 

[nigelquest]

Or you can use the Mac equivalent of remote desktop or logmein to control the old pc over your network.

 

[jaimeastin]

hi guys,

I just bought my mac mini today at best buy and I haven't hooked it up yet. I was talking with someone at Bestbuy today and he was pretty knowledgeable on a lot of stuff. right now I currently have an HD Monitor along with my old computer and mac mini.

I want both of these computers to connect with my monitor.

I was talking with him today and he pointed something out which was genius because I wouldn't have thought of it.

My old pc I use a VGA cord to connect my monitor, well the mac mini I'll use an HD cord and he said that there should be a switch somewhere on the monitor when you can switch from the 2 computers.

but I was talking with him though today and he said that I couldn't use my current speakers that I have now with both computers, so I went ahead and bought a new set of speakers and just will use both whenever I decided to use the other pc.

my only problem is now, I completely didn't think of it, but big question is....

will I be able to use my keyboard and mouse to my old pc and use them with my mac mini?

If I can't is there any adapter that I can use that way I can use one set of speakers, one mouse, one keyboard, and one monitor to both PC's?

Thanks

I use this setup myself... Never had any issues. The belkin KVM has a nice little switch with a very long cord to fit on your desk. The KVM has one longer VGA cable than the other. This is very cool because the computers do nothave to be close; mini on desk, other computer on floor. It works flawlessly with no drivers to install**.

You can share your speakers with this setup. And here is a coold part and the reason for the ** above. There is an optional driver/software where you can continue listen to music on one computer while using the other.

This KVM- http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-F1DG10...1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1312560996&sr=1-1

THis VGA Adaptor - http://www.amazon.com/Apple-Display...1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1312561155&sr=1-1 (you can find less expensive alternatives, but I heard that apple some how released and update to not accept generic display drivers... that is of course hear-say...)


I purchased 2 of these KVM switiches. I use one at home and the other in the office. It is just so easy to plug in any computer at my desk and work or look at it.

As far as remote desktop or logmein... Remote destop is fine for a server and such. I use it all the time to access computers on my home and office network. I sometimes work on them from another computer. But if the computers are that close, i would not consider that unless I was using multiple monitors to display both at the same time. As far as log me in... Again, I would not waste my time or suffer through the decent performance if the destop was that close. Though I do have it setup on a few computers in the office for outside access and for us to access and NOT kick off any potential users of the kiosks. One true benfit to offset the issues is that either one or both are free.