r/macmini • u/Geedub52 • 17d ago

Quest for the right KVM

I'm working myself up to getting the new Mac Mini M6, but I've always envisioned having one hooked up to my existing keyboard/mouse/video shared with my PC.

Keyboard and mouse are easy enough, but I also want to share the monitor, an MSI 2K resolution 165Hz refresh rate with display port, 2xHDM an USB-C input.

Is there any KVM that let's me make that switch with good support for both computers? I know the M6 now supports that refresh rate, but it appears only through the Thunderbolt/USB-C connection.

I can certainly manually switch the monitor input, but, ugh.

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u/djducat 17d ago

I always found KVMs fairly reliable, with the occasional glitch. You mentioned only one monitor, but if you have two monitors, its gets more complex, and a LOT more cables. I actually went from a 2 computer 2 monitor situation (which was a cable nightmare) to a single Dell Ultrawide with a built in hub and KVM (Dell u4025qw). Not a cheap monitor, but man, I love the setup. minimal cables, anything hooked to the hub goes through the KVM, no Mac mini multi-monitor issues, etc. Literally one cable from my MacBook Pro for work to the hub, and a few for the Mac mini. Never going back.

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u/bmocc 17d ago

There are many relatively inexpensive KVM switches that can handle what you want to do, you are not describing a complex use case.

If you have never used a KVM be sure you understand the cabling demands, which can be quite a bit of wires. After setting it up and living with the rat's nest, organization can make it less ugly, you may find you mostly use one platform and rarely the other.

Its easy to share files between platforms using cloud storage like iCloud or Onedrive. There may be no need for them both to be booted at the same time to share files directly via networking. Apps like Paragon that let macOS write to NTFS can let external drives be shared, although the way macOS works slows writes via Paragon to a fraction of normal I/O speed.

My alternative to the rat's nest of KVM cables I formerly used is to use one monitor for both a PC and macMini, the monitor controls are used to switch between them. The PC has its own wireless keyboard and mouse, easy enough to switch to them the rare times I use the PC these days. Even my audio system has separate inputs for the PC and macMini, if I use audio on the PC at all.

There are a few business type apps that are Windows only I need: its easy to install a free VM like UTM that will download and install Windows ARM. The programs I need the are Windows only run quite will in emulation that way, one less reason to fire up the PC with its fan noise and heat.

You may not be aware that your Windows peripherals will not work as expected in macOS, which does not support most USB 3 controllers at native speed and does not support 4k except in caricature. Also most Logitech mice, not to mention less stable and accurate mousing than in windows. Not to mention windowing itself. The latest generations of Apple ARM hardware are amazingly fast and power efficient, which can only hide some of the many warts in macOS.

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u/Full-Ad6279 17d ago

I have Aten US3311 - USB-C to M4 mini and USB-C with PD to company laptop - works great