Sharing one screen with 2 computers

[Slumbers]

Hi,

I recently bought my first Macbook Pro.
I have a desktop pc and an Apple cinema display. Now I want to use the laptop for my work and the desktop for gaming and other windows stuff.
Is there a way to use the screen for both computers without plugging/unplugging the cable? I don't have much space on my desk so another monitor is not an option.
I've heard that you can switch between computers with hardware or software but you need a VGA and DVI on your monitor. The thing is that the ACD only has DVI and most monitors have VGA and DVI.

 

[MooneyFlyer]

Software solutions include:
- Run VNC Server on your PC and use a VNC client on your Mac
- Use the Windows remote desktop option (never done this myself)
- Use something like Logmein.com to access the PC in a window (I personally use this one)

Not sure on the hardware side if there are any KVMs that will do what you want with different I/O requirements for the monitor. There might be though.

 

[plinden]

VNC/Remote Desktop/Logmein will be too slow to play games if you have the monitor connected to your Mac ... yes even on a local network ... and will likely be frustratingly unresponsive if you go the other way (connect monitor to PC and use screen sharing on the Mac)

As long as your PC has DVI your best bet is a DVI-KVM.

I know the following doesn't help you, but for anyone reading this with a monitor with VGA and DVI ports, I set up my computers (before I grabbed a second monitor from the desk of someone who left the company) - one Linux and one Windows - in what I call a "poor man's KVM".

I connected the Linux machine via VGA, plugged the keyboard and mouse into it, and ran Synergy server on it. The PC was connected via DVI and was a client of the Synergy server on the Linux. To switch computers, I would move the mouse off the correct side of the screen and switch the display from VGA -> DVI input, and vice versa.

 

[MacBoobsPro]

How about installing Windows on your MBP and hooking it up to the ACD.

That way you have two computers in one machine attached to the ACD. And a spare PC that you can sell.

 

[MooneyFlyer]

VNC/Remote Desktop/Logmein will be too slow to play games if you have the monitor connected to your Mac ... yes even on a local network ... and will likely be frustratingly unresponsive if you go the other way (connect monitor to PC and use screen sharing on the Mac)

Good point - I read that backwards (about the games). Sorry for the noise.

 

[Slumbers]

Thanks for the info guys.
Yeah, my brother uses Log mein, and is has a lag.

That's what my brother also suggested, but I only have one DVI port bummer.

How about installing Windows on your MBP and hooking it up to the ACD.

My idea was to keep both computers since gaming on a laptop is not optimal because of the airflow and heating etc. And if one computer dies I still have a backup. It's a windows pc don't think I will get much for it if I sell it.

I think my only option is to look for a DVI-KVM switch then.

 

[BlueRevolution]

I think my only option is to look for a DVI-KVM switch then.

That's exactly what it's designed for. It shouldn't be that expensive, maybe $30.

My computer doesn't have two DVI ports, but it has VGA and DVI and I can switch between them with the push of a button.