PDA

View Full Version : KVM for Mac/PC combo?



LethalWolfe
Apr 3, 2002, 03:49 PM
Could I use a KVM to control a Mac and a PC? Or would the keyboard and mouse differences just be a pain in the butt?


Lethal


Nipsy
Apr 3, 2002, 04:15 PM
Try a USB KVM...I have a switch with 1 OSX Mac, 1 OS 9 Mac, one Dell Craptop, and one BeOS machine, works like a charm.
Ensign Paris
Apr 3, 2002, 04:23 PM
I assume Windows keyboards would work on OSX, I would advise using the Pro Mouse and KBoard (My friend who useds a AMD 2000+ uses the Pro Keyboard and Mouse with no problems)

Ensign
Grrrant
Apr 3, 2002, 04:31 PM
Yes!

I use a Dr. Bott KVM MoniSwitch2USB switch for my Mac and PC and it rocks! I share an Apple USB keyboard and Logitech mouse (and monitor) with both computers (beige G3 tower upgraded with USB/OS9.1 and a Pentium3/Win2k) with no problems. Win 2k recognized the keyboard and setup the correct driver automatically. The only gripe I have is really small - there is a 5 second pause when nothing happens when you switch to the mac - otherwise switching back and forth between the computers has been flawless and stable.

http://www.drbott.com/prod/action.lasso?-database=Products&-layout=all&-response=detail.html&-recordID=33099&-search

The switch starts at $140 (for 2 computers) and comes with good quality USB and video cables to connect both computers to the switch. And it even looks nice!

Good luck!

Grant
Rower_CPU
Apr 3, 2002, 04:47 PM
Belkin makes high quality stuff. For instance:

http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=1&Section_Id=200305&pcount=&Product_Id=122146&Section.Section_Path=%2FRoot%2FPeripheralSharing%2FOmniview%2E%2E%2ESwitches%2FOmniViewSOHOSeries%2F

KVM + USB + Audio
Cables sold separately...

Personally, I'm waiting for one that will handle my 4.1 setup...:D
LethalWolfe
Apr 3, 2002, 11:57 PM
Are their Mac drivers for my M$ intellimouse optical? I'd rather not use the apple pro mouse.


Lethal
AlphaTech
Apr 4, 2002, 12:27 AM
I use a Belkin 4 port KVM switch at work, but only use it to split the video signal, not for using one keyboard/mouse on up to four systems. With that one, I can plug in any combination of Mac and peecee that I need to. I typically have enough keyboards and mice to go around for each system, so I don't have to worry about that.
LethalWolfe
Apr 4, 2002, 02:00 AM
Originally posted by AlphaTech
I use a Belkin 4 port KVM switch at work, but only use it to split the video signal, not for using one keyboard/mouse on up to four systems. With that one, I can plug in any combination of Mac and peecee that I need to. I typically have enough keyboards and mice to go around for each system, so I don't have to worry about that.

Unfortunetly I don't have the desk space at home to deal w/2 sets of KB&M...


Lethal
Rower_CPU
Apr 4, 2002, 02:02 AM
Originally posted by LethalWolfe
Are their Mac drivers for my M$ intellimouse optical? I'd rather not use the apple pro mouse.


Lethal

MS just released drivers last week for OS X...finally...
LethalWolfe
Apr 4, 2002, 02:17 AM
Originally posted by Rower_CPU


MS just released drivers last week for OS X...finally...

Woohoo! :)


Lethal