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Help me build a Mac mini / PC docking station system

R

RBilRamZ

macrumors member
Original poster
Sep 17, 2003
61
0
So I am looking to build myself a home computer station and need all the Macrumors expert help I can get. Basically I need my home system to serve two purposes; a basic family computer running OSX, and a home workstation for my work laptop (PC). I am hoping this is fairly easy, but I could use some guidance.

Too start I will set up my home computer using a mac mini and the monitor of my choice. Then I want to be able to dock my work laptop and have it connect it to everything else. Ideally I'd put the laptop in the dock and my home monitor, keyboard and mouse would all work on the laptop. Is there a way to do this? Essentially run everything through the docking station, and then give one input priority over the other? In my mind, I'd attach my mac mini to my docking station, and then all the peripherals to that. Then would I put my laptop in the dock, everything would work for the laptop. Remove the laptop and everything works with the mac mini again.

Can this be done? If so, how?

Thanks in advance!!
 
Sounds like you need a KVM switch:
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/KVM_switch

I don't have any experience with one, so I can't help any more, but hopefully that will give you a starting point.
 
RBilRamZ said:
So I am looking to build myself a home computer station and need all the Macrumors expert help I can get. Basically I need my home system to serve two purposes; a basic family computer running OSX, and a home workstation for my work laptop (PC). I am hoping this is fairly easy, but I could use some guidance.

Too start I will set up my home computer using a mac mini and the monitor of my choice. Then I want to be able to dock my work laptop and have it connect it to everything else. Ideally I'd put the laptop in the dock and my home monitor, keyboard and mouse would all work on the laptop. Is there a way to do this? Essentially run everything through the docking station, and then give one input priority over the other? In my mind, I'd attach my mac mini to my docking station, and then all the peripherals to that. Then would I put my laptop in the dock, everything would work for the laptop. Remove the laptop and everything works with the mac mini again.

Can this be done? If so, how?

Thanks in advance!!
Click to expand...

I don't know that such a docking station would exist. You're really talking about a KVM switch to allow the keyboard, mouse and monitor to be shared.

Have you considered just using Microsoft RDC to remote into the Windows laptop from the mini? That would be the easiest solution, but limit you to only one monitor. You'd just simply have to be on the network and that would be it. I do this at home everyday and find it to work quite well.
 
martinm0 said:
I don't know that such a docking station would exist. You're really talking about a KVM switch to allow the keyboard, mouse and monitor to be shared.

Have you considered just using Microsoft RDC to remote into the Windows laptop from the mini? That would be the easiest solution, but limit you to only one monitor. You'd just simply have to be on the network and that would be it. I do this at home everyday and find it to work quite well.
Click to expand...

This is how my wife works from home, but I'll be running AutoCAD so I really need to have two screens, and the files are too large to work with via RDC.
 
I used to do that and went the ghetto route after trying KVM switches that didn't really work well.

I used a monitor that had 2 inputs: one went to my PC and the other went to a cable that was always just laying where I put my laptop.

My keyboard and mouse went to a USB hub that was easily accessible. I had one USB cable from the hub to the PC and another cable from the hub to where I put my laptop.

When I wanted to 'switch' from my PC to laptop, I'd just plugin the monitor cable, press a button on the monitor to switch inputs and switch USB hub cables. Takes like 5 seconds.
 
Use these at work connecting the key board via multiple bluetooth :)

http://mobile.logitech.com/en-gb/product/Wireless-Solar-Keyboard-K760-for-Mac

The mouse by plugging in the receiver in to the shared mouse usb slot at the back

http://mobile.logitech.com/en-gb/product/performance-mouse-mx?crid=7


http://uk.startech.com/m/Server-Management/KVM-Switches/2-Port-Dual-DVI-USB-KVM-Switch-with-Audio-20-Hub~SV231DD2DUA
 
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