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How to share 1 monitor between 2 macs

P

pablitoitaly

macrumors newbie
Original poster
May 25, 2020
6
0
Italy
Hi there all.
I would like to get your recommendations: How I can share one Dell monitor with 2 macs (1 mini, and 1 mbp).
Mini is a very basic model with only 128gb. Mbp is the new 16', with 1Tb space.
What would be your best possible set-up? How would you share the monitor without plug/unplug HDMI cable all the
times?
Thank you!
Paolo
 
It depends on what ports your Dell monitor has, but you can hook them both up and switch between inputs on the monitor.

E.g. I share a (BenQ) screen between a Mini and a PC. The Mini is connected via HDMI, the PC via DP. I just switch between the two inputs pressing a button on the monitor.
 
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Paolo
You have not said which Dell monitor you have, though most modern ones will have at least 1 HDMI and 1 DisplayPort. So connect the MacMini directly to the HDMI port and then purchase a USBC to DisplayPort connector for the MBP. Then you just use the Dell controls to switch input source.

Depending on the use you are giving the setup there is another solution, that I use, which is to connect one to the Monitor and then use Screen Sharing to access the other computer.
 
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Tygernoot said:
It depends on what ports your Dell monitor has, but you can hook them both up and switch between inputs on the monitor.

E.g. I share a (BenQ) screen between a Mini and a PC. The Mini is connected via HDMI, the PC via DP. I just switch between the two inputs pressing a button on the monitor.
Click to expand...
Exactly what I was going to suggest. I'm about to start doing the same with my BenQ 2700PT.
 
I share a monitor right now with an MBA and a Mini.

Mine has multiple HDMI ports, but most monitors have at least multiple ports.

Just make sure the monitor can switch between inputs.

However, if you want your (wired) keyboard and mouse to work on both, you'll need a switch.

It's easier for me to usually use Screen Sharing to control my Mini via my MBA, as that way I can continue to use my bluetooth keyboard and mouse without issues.
 
First of all, thank you for your help is very much appreciated.
I have this monitor: dell-s2715h
It has a HDMI (which I use to MacMini), and a VGA.
I wanted to use the monitor when I am on my MBP, and was looking for the smartest way other than change
the cable connection from one mac to another one.
May be a HDMI splitter?
Let me know thank you!!!
Paolo
 
pablitoitaly said:
First of all, thank you for your help is very much appreciated.
I have this monitor: dell-s2715h
It has a HDMI (which I use to MacMini), and a VGA.
I wanted to use the monitor when I am on my MBP, and was looking for the smartest way other than change
the cable connection from one mac to another one.
May be a HDMI splitter?
Let me know thank you!!!
Paolo
Click to expand...

Do you need your input devices to also work on each computer?
 
the mpb has its own keyboard and trackpad. I use a apple keyboard for the Mini. As for the mouse I use an advance blutooth Logitech with a bottom to split the device of use...To answer your question, no external devices are plugged into the monitor. Thank you.
 
pablitoitaly said:
the mpb has its own keyboard and trackpad. I use a apple keyboard for the Mini. As for the mouse I use an advance blutooth Logitech with a bottom to split the device of use...To answer your question, no external devices are plugged into the monitor. Thank you.
Click to expand...
Okay, so you don't need the same peripherals to work on both computers.

I use an HDMI splitter from Techole called a Bi-Direction Switch (I tried it with my Mini/MBA and it worked fine, but I decided to use screen sharing instead so I use if for my AppleTV/Switch now).

One button to switch between them, but both devices must be powered on for it to work.
 
that's what I thought =)...
I found very unpratical sharing the screen within' the network with system preferences....
thank you very much for your recommendation.
 
thank you. Of course I will need a second cable for the mbp HDMI to Usb-c, and a new HDMI to HDMI for the new device correct?
 
pablitoitaly said:
thank you. Of course I will need a second cable for the mbp HDMI to Usb-c, and a new HDMI to HDMI for the new device correct?
Click to expand...

Yes.
The good HDMI > USB C adapters aren't cheap though, all the cheapest ones I've tried had worked terribly.
 
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