Anyone know anything about KVM switches? Can you teach me?

[morerecords]

I need to get a KVM switch, or so I am told.. I have one main Mac computer plus one additional MAc and one additional Windows PC, which are in another room and need to be occasionally tapped into. I am looking online at various KVM switches but it's a very broad spectrum, maybe someone has previous experience?

[oslonovski]

You'll need a separate monitor, usb keyboard/mouse. A KVM switch that uses cat5 cabling and they are pricey.
Each computer must be connected with its own cable. And there's an issue with video port compatibility.
Just use RDP/VNC over your local network.

[JBlongz]

A agree with the RPD/NYC, or else your workspace will become a mess and you're brain will hurt from mixing up the 'mice' and keyboards. Been there, done that. If all you need is to access a particular disk, consider a NAS drive.

[trevox]

I use a KVM switch in a similar situation (Macbook pro and a Windows laptop) which works great - got it for 30 euro on a popular auction site and it included cables. For the mac, I needed to get a mini DVI/thunderbolt to DVI converter and the docking station for my windows laptop has a normal DVI port. Everything else is USB. I don't know why it is being suggested you would need separate monitor/keyboard/mouse - the whole idea is to utilise the same ones for multiple machines! Or maybe I misunderstood some of the previous statements. The main pain in the ass is that scrolling is reversed in Lion (which I like) and that messes me up sometimes just after switching!

In any case, seeing as your machines are in different rooms, I totally agree with the RDP/VNC option, particularly if you only need to occasionally access the other machines as cabling using these cheaper boxes will be a big issue. Otherwise, the solution could be pricey.

[oslonovski]

I don't know why it is being suggested you would need separate monitor/keyboard/mouse - the whole idea is to utilise the same ones for multiple machines!.

I meant a single external monitor/keyboard/mouse in case you use laptops/imacs and don't already have one.

[trevox]

I don't know why it is being suggested you would need separate monitor/keyboard/mouse - the whole idea is to utilise the same ones for multiple machines!.

I meant a single external monitor/keyboard/mouse in case you use laptops/imacs and don't already have one.

Ah okay!

[mdk]

I use TeamViewer for all my remote control needs, its great.

http://www.teamviewer.com

and for sharing my keyboard mouse between the 2 machines (one laptop, one box with its own monitor) in front of me I use synergy.

http://synergy-foss.org/

you can use both for free.

[cotdagoo]

Been using this recently to easily control a media center/htpc - http://www.keyboard-and-mouse-sharing.com/ works really well, and is free for 2 computers, file sharing, control a mac from a pc, pc from a mac, etc.. basically an enhanced software KVM.

Only downside is the pricing for more than 2 computers.. $24/computer - at the same time, it provides some pretty interesting functionality and the cross-platform option is nice.

[mdk]

I like the drag and drop of files from one machine to another, that's a nice feature.

wonder if anything like that is planned for synergy