MacBook Pro as second monitor?

[neobrooklyn]

Here is the scenario:

Two 17" MacBook Pro's. Is there any way to set up the second MacBook Pro as the second monitor for the first MacBook Pro? Looking for something like KVM functionality on the second laptop where I can switch the screen between the two laptops. Sort of what I ran already with two desktops - would like to do it with two mac laptops.

I don't think it is possible for several reasons, but just checking. Thanks in advance for any assistance.

 

[mad jew]

To the best of my knowledge, nope.

You need a video input on one of the machines and even though you might technically be able to get one using an EyeTV or something equivilent, it'd be slow and expensive. If you have a third screen and keyboard, you could still plug your machines into that, I guess.

 

[neobrooklyn]

Thanks for the response, mad jew.

Yeah, the video input is what I figured would the feature breaker. May take a look at the EyeTV to see if there is anything there. Thanks!

Too bad dual-link DVI can't do output AND input.

Want to take two laptops with me when I travel overseas next year. Lugging around a third monitor seems like a bit more then what I want.

Maybe something will come out in the future...

 

[yellow]

As noted, not possible because of hardware limitations. The DVI port is output only.

However, there's a complete piece of **** software out there that is sure to **** one of your computers up but might do what you want, fortunately (for you, after that glowing recommendation), I cannot for the life of me remember what it's called.

I shouldn't be so harsh, they tried and it's a great concept. Just, as with many other Mac-related things, the Mac support far lags behind.

AH yes.. Synergy. Good luck.

http://synergy2.sourceforge.net/index.html

 

[sycho]

However, there's a complete piece of **** software out there that is sure to **** one of your computers up but might do what you want, fortunately (for you, after that glowing recommendation), I cannot for the life of me remember what it's called.

Synergy is a great peice of software, and will not "****" your computer.

 

[yellow]

OK ok it was a bit harsh.. I've seen plenty of threads complaining about issues that end up being because of Synergy, but as expected not many threads about how fantasticalrific it is.

 

[redeye be]

I've been running synergy for quite some time here with no, indeed no, problem at all. How could it starstarstarstar your computer anyway?

Try it, it works great

 

[vultureboy]

Synergy is great! Used it for a looong time. Does not offer support to use one macbook as a second screen though.

An idea... Would it be possible to use vnc for what you are after? Just an idea but can you set up VNC to allow access to a different desktop? I know it is possible in Linux but not too sure about Mac.

Alternatively. TV card in the second lappy and a DVI to TV adapter in the first lappy and you have yourself a make do system.

 

[redeye be]

An idea... Would it be possible to use vnc for what you are after? Just an idea but can you set up VNC to allow access to a different desktop?

Yes you can. There's a thread about it somewhere on MR