PC>KVM Switch<MAC mini

[DotCom2]

I want to learn and try out the "APPLE" way but have to stay on a PC as well soooo thinking of getting a mac mini and using a KVM switch to the PC. Any advice on this kind of set up? I have a 27" DVI Dell monitor that I want to co-use.
How would I go about doing this and what brand KVM to get for those that are in the know?
THANKS!

 

[paulrbeers]

I want to learn and try out the "APPLE" way but have to stay on a PC as well soooo thinking of getting a mac mini and using a KVM switch to the PC. Any advice on this kind of set up? I have a 27" DVI Dell monitor that I want to co-use.
How would I go about doing this and what brand KVM to get for those that are in the know?
THANKS!

Yep. I've done it. Just be sure to get a KVM that uses USB. PS2 ports will be of no use to you. I also like the ones that let you use keyboard commands to change inputs rather than solely relying on buttons on the actual KVM. I used a couple of IOGear ones in the past, but I haven't used any with DVI.

 

[John Kotches]

Have you considered Parallels or VMware Fusion to virtualize your PC?

 

[chemdoc92]

I previously used the Startech SV231UADVI to connect my work laptop (Dell w/ docking station running Windows 7) and my Mac Mini to a single DVI equipped monitor and wireless keyboard/mouse. It also allowed me to connect my printer to whichever computer had focus. Resolution is limited to 1920 X 1200 though.

Recently switched to a Startech SV231DPUA to connect new work laptop (HP w/ docking station and Windows 7) and Mac Mini to a Dell 2713HM using DisplayPort. Both computers are capable of driving this at 2560 X 1440 resolution. Very nice. DP switch is a little flaky and sometimes requires a power cycle to clear. (I think the HP dock is causing the issues but I don't have a second one to test that theory.)

 

[mslide]

I have a 27" DVI Dell monitor that I want to co-use.

Does it support more than one video input? If so, it probably has a way to switch between them. If so, you can go the cheap, ghetto route and just use that in combination with a cheap USB switch to handle the keyboard/mouse part. You can certainly go the KVM route but those get pricy depending on what you want it to do (e.g. DVI switching with support for 1440p resolutions). You can probably get all the functionality you need with your current monitor and a $10 USB switch.

You can also go the really ghetto route and do the USB switching yourself. I used to do that. I had a cheap, non-powered USB hub with cables going to my PC and Mac. Takes only a few seconds to switch.

 

[cathul]

I have the Dell U2713HM and use the USB switch for switching keyboard and mouse. Switch of monitor inputs is done on the Dell itself.
Works good.

 

[Macneck]

I've been using a D-LINK DKVM 4-U 4-Port USB Switch for years and it works flawlessly. Right now I use it to share mouse+keyboard+display among 3 PCs and a MBA. Previously I had a Mac Mini instead of the MBA and no problem either.

To be honest, most of the times when I work with my MBA I use the bluetooth mac keyboard and a bluetooth mouse, but it's because the MBA only has 2 USB ports and I use one for an ethernet adapter, so there's only one port left.

By the way my display is a Dell U2312HMT