Move from iMac to Mini

[ger19]

I'm thinking about moving from my iMac to a Mac Mini. I'm moving to a different place and want to set up an office that me and my wife can share. Her stuff is on a Windows machine so I wanted to move my stuff from my iMac to a Mini so that we could share a monitor. Couple questions. The main thing I'm wondering is if I can transfer all my programs from my iMac (an M1 unit) to the Mini - basically "clone" what I have now onto a Mini. I don't have much that didn't come with the iOS or was free, but I'd like to not have to reinstall everything and especially was hoping not to have to re-do any settings I have.

Second, please help me understand a monitor and switching back and forth between two computers. Obviously, I need a monitor that has two or more inputs, but how does the actual switching take place? Assuming both computers are on, do I just use the monitor buttons to select which input source to use? Or, is there a better way and if so, is that way specific to the monitor I would buy.

Anything else to understand about sharing a monitor between a Windows machine and a Mini?

Thanks.

 

[leifp]

I'm thinking about moving from my iMac to a Mac Mini. I'm moving to a different place and want to set up an office that me and my wife can share. Her stuff is on a Windows machine so I wanted to move my stuff from my iMac to a Mini so that we could share a monitor. Couple questions. The main thing I'm wondering is if I can transfer all my programs from my iMac (an M1 unit) to the Mini - basically "clone" what I have now onto a Mini. I don't have much that didn't come with the iOS or was free, but I'd like to not have to reinstall everything and especially was hoping not to have to re-do any settings I have.

Second, please help me understand a monitor and switching back and forth between two computers. Obviously, I need a monitor that has two or more inputs, but how does the actual switching take place? Assuming both computers are on, do I just use the monitor buttons to select which input source to use? Or, is there a better way and if so, is that way specific to the monitor I would buy.

Anything else to understand about sharing a monitor between a Windows machine and a Mini?

Thanks.

You can run multiple cables to the monitor, assuming it can handle that (no guarantee!) and use an input selector on the monitor or on a remote for the monitor if included. If not, a KVM switch is what you seek. They don’t care whether it’s a Mac or WinPC they’re attached to and you can use all the same components between the two computers. They address sharing a monitor and keyboard and mouse, etc assuming you’re not just on Bluetooth for those.

However, depending on your eyeballs, there’s a massive difference. Macs require high resolution monitors to look good and Windows work great on lower resolutions. For example, I have a 42” 4K monitor on my WinPC and it looks phenomenal. I have a 32” 4K on my Mac and it annoys me. The reasons why are very complex (although not very difficult; if you want to inform yourself, there’s a lot out there) and because I used to be a professional photographer, I have different requirements from my displays than most.

Also: sharing a monitor and not sharing input devices (keyboards, mice, trackpads, etc) makes things a bit trickier so if you tell me what your proposed setup will be, I can help you troubleshoot it, if you wish.

 

[Fishrrman]

If the iMac is still serving you well at this time, just get your wife a monitor of her own.

Things will just go easier that way.

Probably won't cost you more by doing it "my way", either -- maybe even less...

 

[WhisperingBobcat]

Not sure if this is a valid for video streaming or gaming, but you can also just share the the iMac and run her PC remotely in a window on the Mac. This is how I run both Windows and MacOS.

Upgrade her PC to Windows Pro if it isn't already. Cheap codes are available online for less than $10, $99 full retail from Microsoft (which is stupid expensive).

You can get Windows app for MacOS, https://apps.apple.com/us/app/windows-app/id1295203466?mt=12 and you can run her PC in a window, or completely full screen.

 

[M4th]

Recent thread about file transfer to new mac

I like the idea about separate monitors, would just seem to make life easier that way. Otherwise, KVM switch should work.

 

[ger19]

. . .If not, a KVM switch is what you seek. They don’t care whether it’s a Mac or WinPC they’re attached to and you can use all the same components between the two computers.

Also: sharing a monitor and not sharing input devices (keyboards, mice, trackpads, etc) makes things a bit trickier so if you tell me what your proposed setup will be, I can help you troubleshoot it, if you wish.

Thanks Leifp, I knew there was a switch but didn’t know what it was called (KVM switch).

My proposed set up would be as you basically described. A pc and a Mac sharing all peripherals. That way, the desk will be less cluttered but when either of us sit down at the desk, we can easily use whichever computer we want/need.

 

[WhisperingBobcat]

Thanks Leifp, I knew there was a switch but didn’t know what it was called (KVM switch).

My proposed set up would be as you basically described. A pc and a Mac sharing all peripherals. That way, the desk will be less cluttered but when either of us sit down at the desk, we can easily use whichever computer we want/need.

with your iMac don’t you have a Touch ID on the keyboard and a touch mouse, both wireless Bluetooth. I really like my Touch ID keyboard and would hate to have to leave it wired all the time if that even works (I haven’t tried) I don’t see how you could share an Apple mouse.


My PC laptop sits on a shelf, plugged into power, and I remote into it using the Windows app (used to be called Remote Desktop). No wires and no switches, just an app on my Mac. You could Mac a separate user for her on the Mac if you need to keep things really separate. She would just run the remote access program full screen and it would look just like a PC

Many third party keyboards and mouse’s now have the ability to switch between multiple devices. You don’t need a kvm switch if you have these, just switch the monitor input, mouse device, and keyboard device.

Edit: I don’t dislike any of your options including the a new Mac mini. There are so many options. Whatever you end up with, remember happy wife means happy life…

 

[WhisperingBobcat]

Here is an example of a multi device keyboard and mouse.

MK850 Performance

Shop MK850 Combo. Wireless keyboard with palm rest and contoured mouse makes it easy to comfortably work across multiple devices for increased productivity

www.logitech.com

 

[ger19]

with your iMac don’t you have a Touch ID on the keyboard and a touch mouse, both wireless Bluetooth. I really like my Touch ID keyboard and would hate to have to leave it wired all the time if that even works (I haven’t tried) I don’t see how you could share an Apple mouse.

I use a mechanical keyboard and it is plugged in. I was hesitant to give up the Apple keyboard because I did like the Touch ID but I have the computer log me in with my Apple Watch and that works pretty well.

My wife uses the MK850 with her Windows machine so I may switch over to that. My wife actually uses the computer more than I do. I mostly use my iPad and mostly just use the browser for forums and general reading as well as email. Definitely not a power user. The main reason I have an iMac is because of how well it integrates with my iPhone and Watch for things like calendar, notes, reminders . . . Plus, every now and then, there's just things I'd rather do on a desktop, like when I do banking and if I'm doing a lot of editing, like writing a long email. But, I could do those things on a PC or Mac, wouldn't matter.

 

[WhisperingBobcat]

I use a mechanical keyboard and it is plugged in. I was hesitant to give up the Apple keyboard because I did like the Touch ID but I have the computer log me in with my Apple Watch and that works pretty well.

My wife uses the MK850 with her Windows machine so I may switch over to that. My wife actually uses the computer more than I do. I mostly use my iPad and mostly just use the browser for forums and general reading as well as email. Definitely not a power user. The main reason I have an iMac is because of how well it integrates with my iPhone and Watch for things like calendar, notes, reminders . . . Plus, every now and then, there's just things I'd rather do on a desktop, like when I do banking and if I'm doing a lot of editing, like writing a long email. But, I could do those things on a PC or Mac, wouldn't matter.

I think that a monitor, wireless keyboard, and wireless mouse, all 3 with input switching would give you the cleanest setup.

What model of iPad do you have?

If you really want to reduce your footprint and simplify, use your iPad with the keyboard and mouse and monitor. I have an iPad Air M2 and it works surprisingly well as a desktop.

Mine will hookup with a USB-C (with a better cable than the one that came with it) to my monitor.

Or you need a small usb-c to hdmi adapter (same sort of small docks used for MacBooks). The mouse and keyboard would be Bluetooth or even plug your mechanical keyboard in.

Even without the monitor a full size keyboard and mouse add a lot to an iPad at times.

iPad window management is a work in progress and didn’t quite cut it for me, but for your description it might work perfectly fine.

 

[atlanticza]

The LG monitor I have has 4 HDMI inputs and I run three devices through it, a Mac mini, a Windows PC, and a CCTV server. To access any of them, I simply use the monitor's remote to switch between them.

 

[ger19]

The LG monitor I have has 4 HDMI inputs and I run three devices through it, a Mac mini, a Windows PC, and a CCTV server. To access any of them, I simply use the monitor's remote to switch between them.

My wife’s monitor is a 32” LG. I’m pretty sure it’s 4K. I’ll have to take a look at the inputs on that.

 

[P K]

Recent thread about file transfer to new mac

I like the idea about separate monitors, would just seem to make life easier that way. Otherwise, KVM switch should work.

If it's helpful to the OP, I used Time Machine (as mentioned in the linked thread) to migrate from my 2017 iMac to an M4 Pro Mini and had no issues whatsoever. It was very fast and basically cloned the old machine on the new one.

 

[Starfia]

Wow, lots of good ideas here.

If you haven't read the main support article on migrating from one Mac to another (it's easy): https://support.apple.com/en-us/102613

Monitors: the Mac mini supports HDMI out to a monitor (and some other formats with appropriate converters). Any given PC will have its own output – VGA and DVI are more traditional, but there are plenty of monitors with two or more HDMI inputs between which you'd just switch using the monitor's remote or controls. It likely won't be more complicated than that.

My word of caution would be: in terms of how resolution and scale map to visual fidelity, along with other factors, the iMac's display may look appreciably better than macOS displayed on a range of third-party monitors. If you care at all about that, you might think twice before giving that up, or if at all possible, try to get a glimpse of macOS on the display you're considering.

 

[ger19]

My word of caution would be: in terms of how resolution and scale map to visual fidelity, along with other factors, the iMac's display may look appreciably better than macOS displayed on a range of third-party monitors. If you care at all about that, you might think twice before giving that up, or if at all possible, try to get a glimpse of macOS on the display you're considering.

I assume a MacBook and a Mac mini would be similar? My daughter has a MacBook I could use as a test. I guessing I’d notice a difference but I don’t think I’d much care for as little as I actually use my iMac.

 

[Starfia]

I assume a MacBook and a Mac mini would be similar? My daughter has a MacBook I could use as a test. I guessing I’d notice a difference but I don’t think I’d much care for as little as I actually use my iMac.

If you already have the potentially shared monitor you're talking about: yes, connecting a MacBook (or even your current iMac!) would give you the same idea. Note the basic scaling options in the Mac's "System Settings > Displays" panel.