M1 + M2 + PC switching?

[devQ]

HI,

I have the following rig:
1. MBP M1 (company property)
2. PC (personal)

3. Dell U2723QE
4. Gigabyte M27Q

5. Keychron K3
6. Cooler Master MM710


At the moment, the U2723QE is used as a KVM switch. The M27Q is connected via a separate HDMI cable. When starting working hours, Mac is turned on. When finished, Mac is turned off, and PC is turned on. That way, monitors and peripherals are automatically switched, and everything is great.

Now, I would like to buy a personal Mac (M2 mini), which will be used to develop my apps. It should be used in parallel with both configurations (always on) and should use the same monitors/keyboard/mouse, when switched. Number of actions for switching should be reduced to a minimum, ideally, push of a one button.

Is this even possible? Do you have any idea for layout, or what additional hardware do I need?


Thanks

 

[appltech]

Hi!

At the moment, the U2723QE is used as a KVM switch

Through the ethernet, or you connect it to all devices, because I didn't get that.

Well, you can do that through VNC connections, sort of TeamViewer, but over the LAN primary (WAN also possible, but downside is choppy connection.
Try TightVNC, or UltraVNC because those are open source (most other services are based on them), but it could be slightly complicated to reach TightVNC for Mac.

Also, you can look after a dongle, let's say from Type-C to thunderbolt (as an example) Thunderbolt can handle few displays via dongle. The thing is that there could be dissapoinment about fresh rate and some features.

Or, the simpliest method: find free port on a display-s, find a corresponding dongle that will allow you connect to the Thunderbolt (if HDMI is free on your display -- no dongles, because Mac has straight HDMI port)

 

[devQ]

Through the ethernet, or you connect it to all devices, because I didn't get that.

No, here's the thing. Dell has a built-in KVM. It has 2 outputs:
1. Thunderbolt, which is for MBP, charging + monitor + keyboard + mouse + ethernet
2. USB, which is for PC, monitor + keyboard + mouse

Other monitor, M27Q, has 2 cables connected:
1. From MBP's HDMI
2. From PC's DP

If both machines are on, to switch between them, I would need to go into the quick menu of both monitors, and switch the source. If not, monitors look for available source, and switching is done automatically.
Ethernet/software solutions didn't work for me.


Possible solutions:

1. Manually switch thunderbolt cable between macs when needed, and add another (Mini to M27Q) HDMI cable. It is a hassle to change cable and source on monitor each time, and I don't like the idea to yank the expensive cable often, but it looks like a possible working solution.
2. Add another KVM between macs (in chain, after U2723QE's KVM). Obviously, MBP needs to be charged through it. Which one?
3. Add another KVM between Mini and PC. Which one?
4. Some kind of a KVM for 3 computers?
5. Have another keyboard and mouse for Mini, and manually switch monitor sources. This is a major hassle.
6. Something else? But not software, network...

 

[salamanderjuice]

You can get KVMs for 3 or 4 computers. Here's a random one from Amazon. I think the only concern from that one besides price would be how well it plays with DP to USB C adapters for your desktop.