Recommend a KVM switch

ItsMeDave · May 24, 2007

Hi Everyone,

I have a 20" iMac and a Dell laptop with a 20" flat panel monitor sitting on my desk. Each has it's own wireless Logitech mouse. I'm using the corded Mac keyboard on the laptop and the wireless version on the iMac.

I need a KVM switch. I guess I can use the corded Mac keyboard and one of the wireless mice. Are there KVM switches that would allow me to use a wireless mouse? Would this cause issues on boot up?

Anyone got a recommendation?

cheers

Village Idiot · May 25, 2007

ItsMeDave said:
Hi Everyone,

I have a 20" iMac and a Dell laptop with a 20" flat panel monitor sitting on my desk. Each has it's own wireless Logitech mouse. I'm using the corded Mac keyboard on the laptop and the wireless version on the iMac.

I need a KVM switch. I guess I can use the corded Mac keyboard and one of the wireless mice. Are there KVM switches that would allow me to use a wireless mouse? Would this cause issues on boot up?

Anyone got a recommendation?

cheers

What kind of wireless? USB dongle? Blue tooth? if it's a usb dongle, you can get a usb KVM. Just don't buy an insanely cheap one. They usually don't hold up to well. Most of the real cheap ones we order for work usually end up dying on us.

ItsMeDave · May 25, 2007

My mice aren't Bluetooth and use a USB dongle.

thanks.

Village Idiot said:
What kind of wireless? USB dongle? Blue tooth? if it's a usb dongle, you can get a usb KVM. Just don't buy an insanely cheap one. They usually don't hold up to well. Most of the real cheap ones we order for work usually end up dying on us.

Village Idiot · May 25, 2007

Go crazy:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...vm&name=KVM+(Keyboard,+Video,+Mouse)+Switches

alaceo · May 25, 2007

ItsMeDave,

If you want to save yourself some money and don't need to change monitors, try downloading Synergy. It's software that allows you to switch mouse and keyboard control back and forth between multiple computers quickly and easily.

I believe it's on SourceForge.net.

kaidomac · May 25, 2007

alaceo said:
ItsMeDave,

If you want to save yourself some money and don't need to change monitors, try downloading Synergy. It's software that allows you to switch mouse and keyboard control back and forth between multiple computers quickly and easily.

I believe it's on SourceForge.net.

I'll second Synergy. No reason to get a KVM. Just setup Synergy to share your keyboard and mouse and then enable file & print sharing if you want to transfer files between the two and share a printer or whatever. Synergy is here:

http://synergy2.sourceforge.net/

Village Idiot · May 26, 2007

kaidomac said:
I'll second Synergy. No reason to get a KVM. Just setup Synergy to share your keyboard and mouse and then enable file & print sharing if you want to transfer files between the two and share a printer or whatever. Synergy is here:

http://synergy2.sourceforge.net/

The problem I see with synergy is that two monitors are required. Space limitations and having two quality monitors could be a hinderance to Synergy.

TeleMark · May 26, 2007

kaidomac said:
I'll second Synergy. No reason to get a KVM. Just setup Synergy to share your keyboard and mouse and then enable file & print sharing if you want to transfer files between the two and share a printer or whatever. Synergy is here:

http://synergy2.sourceforge.net/

So let me get this straight (somewhat clueless here)... On my desk I have a MB, a Dell laptop (work box) and 2 monitors. I can plug my wireless desk set (mouse and KB) into the MB and still run the Dell with that setup? If so, that would be wonderful, as plugging the wireless setup into a KVM causes my signal to be really weak.

djames42 · May 26, 2007

I've got this guy, and despite the mediocre reviews, I've had no troubles with mine (I switch between a Mac Mini and a Dell Latitude D600 using a Mighty Mouse and a Microsoft Office Keyboard and a Dell 20" monitor).

TeleMark · May 29, 2007

TeleMark said:
So let me get this straight (somewhat clueless here)... On my desk I have a MB, a Dell laptop (work box) and 2 monitors. I can plug my wireless desk set (mouse and KB) into the MB and still run the Dell with that setup? If so, that would be wonderful, as plugging the wireless setup into a KVM causes my signal to be really weak.

nothing, eh?

puaerotch · May 29, 2007

I don't know if you are still looking or not but I got this switch awhile back and it works great. I have a wireless usb mouse too and just plugged the "dongle" into the keyboard.