I was able to set-up a multi-seat setup with VMware Fusion and I haven't found this type of info posted on the Internet so I'll post it here. I have it written elsewhere with videos but I can't link it here due to the posting rules but I'll write a short summary on how to do it.
Below is a Macbook Pro connected to a battery powered HDMI/MHL 15" portable monitor paired with a portable keyboard/trackpad. The Macbook is running OSX while the MHL monitor/external keyboard is hosting Ubuntu Pear OS.
What is multiseat?
It is basically using one computer to multiple thin clients. Each user will have their own monitor, keyboard, mouse and in some cases (sound card/network). There are multiseat devices that work with a special version of Window server and Fedora Linux. However, I'll show you how to do it with just VMWare Fusion, extra monitor, USB hub and keyboard.
The thing you need to do is edit your VMX file. THis is the config file for virtual machine. You can access it by "Show package Contents" and browse inside the VMware guest folder. It will be the file with the .VMX extension.
You add this line of code.
usb.generic.allowHID = "TRUE"
This is disabled by default but what it does it allow HID (Human Input Devices - mouses/keyboards) to be used exclusively by the guest. With an extra set of mouse keyboard, your guests will act independently from your host.
Once you do this, assign your guest to full screen on your second, third monitor. Key in the mouse/keyboard to be used exclusively by the guests and thats it.
There you have it. Multi-seat set-up with VMware.
With a Lapdock, you can have a separate portable console to macbook.
These are $50 HDMI monitors with built in keyboard/trackpad.
Below is a Macbook Pro connected to a battery powered HDMI/MHL 15" portable monitor paired with a portable keyboard/trackpad. The Macbook is running OSX while the MHL monitor/external keyboard is hosting Ubuntu Pear OS.
What is multiseat?
It is basically using one computer to multiple thin clients. Each user will have their own monitor, keyboard, mouse and in some cases (sound card/network). There are multiseat devices that work with a special version of Window server and Fedora Linux. However, I'll show you how to do it with just VMWare Fusion, extra monitor, USB hub and keyboard.
The thing you need to do is edit your VMX file. THis is the config file for virtual machine. You can access it by "Show package Contents" and browse inside the VMware guest folder. It will be the file with the .VMX extension.
You add this line of code.
usb.generic.allowHID = "TRUE"
This is disabled by default but what it does it allow HID (Human Input Devices - mouses/keyboards) to be used exclusively by the guest. With an extra set of mouse keyboard, your guests will act independently from your host.
Once you do this, assign your guest to full screen on your second, third monitor. Key in the mouse/keyboard to be used exclusively by the guests and thats it.
There you have it. Multi-seat set-up with VMware.
With a Lapdock, you can have a separate portable console to macbook.
These are $50 HDMI monitors with built in keyboard/trackpad.