[tavilach]

My beloved PowerBook is going to be coming, soon. I also have an external 18.1" LCD, and a desktop PC.

It would be ideal if I could connect the desktop PC to a KVM switch, and the PowerBook to a KVM switch...and then the KVM switch to the LCD. Would this be impossible? It seems like it might be...aside from the fact that the PowerBook might not have a way to connect to the KVM, how would the monitor switch from screen spanning to being the monitor for my PC? Wouldn't that confuse the PowerBook?

What would be the best way to set this up? Should I just connect the PC to the monitor, and when I bring my laptop into the room, disconnect the PC and plug in the PowerBook? That just seems like a hassle.

Perhaps I shouldn't connect the PC to the monitor at all, and just use Remote Desktop?

What is the best way to connect the PowerBook to the external monitor, so that I can easily walk into my room (after taking it with me to classes and such), set down the PowerBook, and start using it with the monitor?

I'm confused .

[tavilach]

[Mithras]

Your monitor doesn't by chance have both DVI and VGA inputs, does it? That and a USB keyboard would make it pretty easy -- plug the Powerbook into the DVI cable, unplug and replug the keyboard USB cable, and you're done.

[tavilach]

Originally posted by Mithras:
Your monitor doesn't by chance have both DVI and VGA inputs, does it? That and a USB keyboard would make it pretty easy -- plug the Powerbook into the DVI cable, unplug and replug the keyboard USB cable, and you're done.

It does! It does! The DVI input would override the VGA input? Could the DVI cable be already attached to the monitor, waiting to be plugged into the PowerBook? It's hard to attach it to the monitor itself (stupid Dell).

[Mithras]

My Dell 2001FP has a button to switch between DVI, VGA, composite, and S-video inputs. So I have at times attached the DVI input to my Powerbook, and the VGA input to a PC.
Do you have separate inputs, or just alternate cables to one input? I'm a little confused on that.


If you do have separate inputs, that takes care of the "V" part of KVM.

For the "K" and "M" parts, your options are:
1) just unplugging and replugging one USB cable
2) using two different keyboards
3) USB KVM

Which one you want depends on how much money you want to spend (#1 is free), how often you'll switch back and forth (#3 is easiest), and how much space you have (#2 is easy if you have a spare keyboard around).

good luck!

[tavilach]

Originally posted by Mithras:
My Dell 2001FP has a button to switch between DVI, VGA, composite, and S-video inputs. So I have at times attached the DVI input to my Powerbook, and the VGA input to a PC.
Do you have separate inputs, or just alternate cables to one input? I'm a little confused on that.


If you do have separate inputs, that takes care of the "V" part of KVM.

For the "K" and "M" parts, your options are:
1) just unplugging and replugging one USB cable
2) using two different keyboards
3) USB KVM

Which one you want depends on how much money you want to spend (#1 is free), how often you'll switch back and forth (#3 is easiest), and how much space you have (#2 is easy if you have a spare keyboard around).

good luck!

I'm confused about what you just said .

Here's everything you need to know:

I want to bring the PowerBook to classes, use it in the library, and then take it back to my dorm room. In the dorm room I'd like to quickly switch from the portable setup to using a separate keyboard and mouse, as well as my external monitor. I'd also like to be able to switch easily between the PC (using the same monitor) and the PowerBook.

PowerBook: New 15" AlBook
PC: Dell 8250
Monitor: Dell 1800FP

I have a DVI video card for my PC, but never installed kit...so it's connected to the monitor (since I don't have the PowerBook yet) via a VGA cable. The 1800FP has two inputs, DVI and VGA...I think.

Note: Right now I'm using an IOGEAR GCS62 MiniView Micro KVM Switch to switch between my desktop and my server (Dell 400SC). The server won't be coming with me to college, though.

[tavilach]

[melman101]

If i think i know what your talking about, your doing the exact same thing I do at work. I have a kvm hooked up, and just the monitor connected to it. When I go to work i plug my powerbook in, and it does either clamshell or dual-screen mode, whatever i want. then i press the kvm, and have my pc. It works fine. No confusion for powerbook.

Mel

[tavilach]

Originally posted by melman101:
If i think i know what your talking about, your doing the exact same thing I do at work. I have a kvm hooked up, and just the monitor connected to it. When I go to work i plug my powerbook in, and it does either clamshell or dual-screen mode, whatever i want. then i press the kvm, and have my pc. It works fine. No confusion for powerbook.

Mel

Awesome...so once your PB is connected, the KVM switches between the PB and the PC on the external monitor? What type of KVM would I need?

[melman101]

I have this KVM

http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProdu...duct_Id=122870

My job bought it for me.

Sincerely,
Mel

[kafoochy]

Although some of us here on the Powerbook forum get confused and bewildered over some issues from time to time, knowing you're here to completely overcomplicate any issue, makes us feel better in our own knowledge. Thankyou tavilach. You didn't really need to tell us you were confused at the bottom of your post. We could figure that out.

It would be ideal if I could connect the desktop PC to a KVM switch, and the PowerBook to a KVM switch...and then the KVM switch to the LCD. Would this be impossible?

Let's see, would it be impossible? Considering that what you just described is exactly what a KVM switch is supposed to do, than no, probably not impossible. As long as you connect both the PC and Mac to a switch with via the same video connection, e.g. VGA or DVI.

It seems like it might be...aside from the fact that the PowerBook might not have a way to connect to the KVM,

Try cables.

how would the monitor switch from screen spanning to being the monitor for my PC? Wouldn't that confuse the PowerBook?

You would switch the screen from Mac to PC by pressing the button on the top of the KVM. It would be no different than if you plugged and unplugged an external monitor into your PB. If you have windows that were on the external monitor, after you unplug, they will appear on your PB screen. You're PB is the brains of the operation here, I suggest putting your trust in it.

What would be the best way to set this up? Should I just connect the PC to the monitor, and when I bring my laptop into the room, disconnect the PC and plug in the PowerBook? That just seems like a hassle.

If it seems like a hassle plugging and unplugging all the time then get a switch.

Perhaps I shouldn't connect the PC to the monitor at all, and just use Remote Desktop?

No

[tavilach]

Originally posted by kafoochy:
Although some of us here on the Powerbook forum get confused and bewildered over some issues from time to time, knowing you're here to completely overcomplicate any issue, makes us feel better in our own knowledge. Thankyou tavilach. You didn't really need to tell us you were confused at the bottom of your post. We could figure that out.

When it doubt, insult!

Originally posted by kafoochy:
Let's see, would it be impossible? Considering that what you just described is exactly what a KVM switch is supposed to do, than no, probably not impossible. As long as you connect both the PC and Mac to a switch with via the same video connection, e.g. VGA or DVI.

KVM switches are typically used to alternate between desktop computers. Because the PowerBook has its own screen, I thought it might be difficult to have the KVM switch automatically switch the PowerBook to non-screen-spanning when the external monitor switches to the PC.

[Cadaver]

My solution at the office...

My LCD has two inputs - one DVI, one VGA; one connected to the Mac, one to the PC.

I have a Microsoft Desktop Elite Cordless desktop system - wireless keyboard and mouse, but nicely it has only one USB connector (not one each for keyboard and mouse).

So, I purchased a $39 Belkin USB switchbox (switches a single USB device between multiple machines).

Tap one button on the USB switchbox to move keyboard between Mac and PC, and tap button on monitor to switch inputs between Mac and PC.

Though it does require two button presses to swap from Mac to PC, it was over $100 cheaper than a high-quality KVM switch

To use a PowerBook in this situation: Take PowerBook, close lid, connect monitor cable, connect USB cable, select proper inputs on monitor and USB (keyboard/mouse) switchbox, tap keyboard to wake up PowerBook. It'll pop right up on the external display.

[kafoochy]

Originally posted by tavilach:
When it doubt, insult!

KVM switches are typically used to alternate between desktop computers. Because the PowerBook has its own screen, I thought it might be difficult to have the KVM switch automatically switch the PowerBook to non-screen-spanning when the external monitor switches to the PC.

I didn't quite mean it as in insult, I can almost remember when I was as young and precocious. It's the way you make your posts that makes me laugh (or roll my eyes, but not necessarily in a bad way). I know what KVM switches are but the Powerbook isn't going to know that it isn't plugged directly into a monitor or a KVM, so it wouldn't affect the usage. KVM's are used to alternate two video sources with one output, it's that simple. I think whether the KVM is worth it for you is how often you are going to be taking the computer with you. When I get back to my room I have to plug in my power adapter, speaker cable, USB hub cable, external firewire HD cable, firewire iPod cable, and ethernet cable. One more cable (e.g. video) wouldn't make a huge difference when I'm standing up, reaching behind my desk to grab all the other cables. So it wouldn't be worth it for me I think. DVI KVMs also cost more.