picking out a switch box for macs and pc

[crasher88]

hello all I'm about to buy a mac and build a new pc but I don't want to have 2 monitors, 2 keyboards, 2 mouses, or 2 sets of speakers. I know I can share the monitor between the two but what other hardware do I need to be able to share the speaker, mouse and keyboard between the two if its even possible thanks for all the help.

 

[hjo3]

Try a USB KVM switch.

For the speakers, maybe use a Y-splitter to plug one set of speakers into both machines (of course, this means you might be using the Mac and hearing MP3s playing on the PC... if you want to speakers to be able to switch from machine to machine, there're products for that -- I have a little Radio Shack thing that does it).

 

[hjo3]

OmniView SOHO Series 4-Port KVM Switch with Audio $122

Iogear Miniview 2 Port USB KVM Switch Kit $72

I'm sure you could find better prices. But a switch like that first one would probably be ideal.

 

[Eug]

Originally posted by: crasher88
hello all I'm about to buy a mac and build a new pc but I don't want to have 2 monitors, 2 keyboards, 2 mouses, or 2 sets of speakers. I know I can share the monitor between the two but what other hardware do I need to be able to share the speaker, mouse and keyboard between the two if its even possible thanks for all the help.

A second USB mouse and keyboard costs $20. Or do you just want to save space? Which Mac? Older Macs use different connectors.

 

[robisc]

I use the Omniview above that hjo3 posted the link for to do this exact thing with 1 Powermac and 3 PCs, it works great.

 

[thorin]

? Linksys ProConnect® Integrated KVM 2-Port Switch
? Linksys ProConnect 2-Port KVM Switch

Thorin

 

[hjo3]

Originally posted by: thorin
? Linksys ProConnect® Integrated KVM 2-Port Switch
? Linksys ProConnect 2-Port KVM Switch

Thorin

He wants to be able to use his PC AND his Mac. Macs typically don't have PS/2 ports which is what your LinkSys suggestions all use. See, that's why I suggested USB... it's compatible with both.

 

[thorin]

Originally posted by: hjo3

Originally posted by: thorin
? Linksys ProConnect® Integrated KVM 2-Port Switch
? Linksys ProConnect 2-Port KVM Switch

Thorin

He wants to be able to use his PC AND his Mac. Macs typically don't have PS/2 ports which is what your LinkSys suggestions all use. See, that's why I suggested USB... it's compatible with both.

DOH good point.... I hadn't thought about that. I was thinking (but I'm not 100% sure) that ADB (Apple Desktop Bus) was pin compatible with PS/2. But maybe they don't even use ADB anymore. And maybe it's pin compatible with S-Video and I'm just not remembering anything clearly these days 🙁 😛

Thorin