[Mr Mushroom]

I have decided to get a 23" Cinema Display which I intend to use both with my Powerbook, and with either a PC desktop or Laptop I will buy soon. (I know - its not by choice - I just need to have it as I am tired of Virtual PC)

My question is:

Can I have them both connected to the Cinema Display at the same time and just switch between them?

Do I need any additional cables/connectors etc to do this?


Any help much appreciated,

Thanks

[Mr Mushroom]

Anyone at all know is this is possible? I really want to know before I buy something that wont work for me.

Thanks in advance

[mhuie]

Originally Posted by Mr Mushroom

I have decided to get a 23" Cinema Display which I intend to use both with my Powerbook, and with either a PC desktop or Laptop I will buy soon. (I know - its not by choice - I just need to have it as I am tired of Virtual PC)

My question is:

Can I have them both connected to the Cinema Display at the same time and just switch between them?

Do I need any additional cables/connectors etc to do this?


Any help much appreciated,

Thanks

AFAIK, the Apple Cinema Displays only have one DVI connector. You'll need to get a DVI KVM ($$$) if you want to be able to use your PC and Mac on the same monitor. Also be wary of the how high resolution the KVM supports as some of the more inexpensive ones don't handle high resolutions.

[Mr Mushroom]

If I get the Dell 24" instead, I believe that has more than 1 DVI input - so then would it work? How would I swicth between them or would they both appear at the same time?

Thanks for your help

[Weezer]

This is a good resource for DVI KVM switches:

http://www.nonliteral.com/articles/d...switch-issues/

and

http://www.nonliteral.com/articles/b...switch-review/

Unfortunately, most of them max out at 1600x1200, but I know I read that one of them can work with your rez.

[schalliol]

Don't get a Cinema Display. It's a waste of cash. Go for the Dell 24", I haven't looked, but it probably has one DVI and one VGA in. It's likely a Samsung display. On my Dell 19" displays (and on Samsung and others) there's a button on the front you press to switch between sources.

[f1000]

Originally Posted by Mr Mushroom

My question is:

Can I have them both connected to the Cinema Display at the same time and just switch between them?

Depending on your needs, you may be able to just RDC into your PC over Ethernet. You lose some of the speed of the PC, but you still get much better performance than with VPC.

[schalliol]

yeah, or Timbuktu Pro. Still, you want the direct connection. I'd go the two connector method. It's goign to be higher quality and cheaper than the switching possibilities.

[Mr Mushroom]

2 connector method?

What is that, and where do i get it?

Originally Posted by schalliol

yeah, or Timbuktu Pro. Still, you want the direct connection. I'd go the two connector method. It's goign to be higher quality and cheaper than the switching possibilities.

[schalliol]

I'm just referring to a display having a DVI and VGA port (maybe two DVI, but I doubt it). Basically you just hit a button on the front and it switches using direct cable...as opposed to a computer-based sharing of video data.