KVM Switch - Using a PC and MAC together

[flyvegas1]

I have a MAC Mini and a DELL PC and I would like to switch between the two using a KVM switch. Can this be done using two monitors? All the research I am reading about suggests only 1 monitor. My Dell uses VGA monitors. Thanks for any info.

 

[philipma1957]

need make and model of the dell ,the mini, the lcds.

need to know what kvm switch. Also need to understand if you want to drive 2 lcds via vga on the mini or the dell .

or do you want to drive 2 vgas on the dell and sometimes drive 1 vga on the dell and one on the mini.

the short answer is it will work with some mac minis better then others if you only want 1 vga . if you want 2 vgas on the mini not every mini will do it. Also the kvm switch need to be good quality as minis can be tricky supporting vga.

my 2010 mac mini runs display port to vga fine. my 2010 mini does not like hdmi to vga . if I run snow. if I run lion it does both.

 

[djc6]

This KVM supports dual monitors:

http://amzn.com/B00310EES0

Share two monitors and one keyboard and one mouse between two computers.

However, one display port is VGA and one display port is DVI. It has this caveat in the description:

Please Note: While both DVI-I (analog mode) and DVI-D (digital only) are supported by the KVM, both source PCs must output the same signal type for proper switching. It is recommended wherever possible to use DVI-D cables across all PC to KVM and KVM to Console connections.

So it might be best to get a DVI video card for the dell - since you can't hookup two VGA displays to the mac mini. There is a minidp->vga adapater, but no hdmi->vga afaik.

 

[djc6]

Here is one with two VGA ports:

http://www.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=501571#

But you run into the same issue of how to hookup two VGA monitors to the mac mini. I think the best solution is:

hdmi->dvi adapter for mac mini
minidp->vga adapter for mac mini
video card for dell w/DVI port.
startech SV231DDVDUA KVM.

So you end up with a VGA and DVI port on both the dell and mac mini, and you can use the startech KVM.

 

[joesden]

I would recommend calling KVMSwitchTech. They have a wide range of KVM Switch solutions. I have used a few switches from them in the past and they work well.