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[sounds2k]

I went for DVI as I'm running a 20" flat screen ... cost me about £450 at the time but was about the same price as the 19" CRT it replaced (or should I say the same price as I paid for the CRT it replaced)

having used the CRT on PCs running through KVM switches (ie in VGA not DVI), you lose picture quality - even if you get decent cables - the higher the resolution you run the screen at, the higher the refresh rate and the longer the cable run, the more quality you'll lose. Typified by the brightness being lower and a loss of picture sharpness on high contrast (eg black text on a white background) - the edges of the text become a bit blurry.

Stick to low-ish resolution (1024x768 or thereabouts) and a low-ish refresh rate (75Hz) and you should be OK with a cheapo KVM switchbox. You'll probably be OK on that flatron screen at 1280x1024 if you set the refresh rate low - refresh rate isn't as important on TFTs anyway so keep it low (60Hz is usually the lowest) and you should get the best picture quality.

Beyond that sort of resolution I'd seriously be looking into DVI instead of VGA for connecting the screen if I was you !!!

[Sir_Mixalot]

tunnie as i understand it you want to switch:
1xVGA (screen)
2xUSB (keyboard & mouse)
between 2 computers (doesn't matter if they are mac, pc or whatever)

therefore that first product you selected from Scan at £42 is exactly what you want...Maybe other IT stores will have a similar thing cheaper (Ebuyer, CCL Computers, poss Ebay...), so look around.  I would say it would be worth going for a branded/more expensive one though, that £42 seems ideal for your needs.

[Jimbob]

Ive used a lot, including installing data centre solutions for a large bank, talking units from £50 to £10000, and to be honest they are not great.

Have you thought about a software solution?  ie using remote control software over a network?

I think this will work out much cheaper for you, and you will probably be happier with the results.

Biggest problem ive had with kvm is picture quality, its ok for business apps, but not much more than that, another issue can be the mouse, they often need re-syncing because the mouse doesnt match the cursor movement.

If you want to take this to PM i may be able to recommend you some software.
This solution may or may not suit your requirements, If you can have 1 computer on, to use to access the others, then its fine.  If you want to just use computer 3 today, 4 tomorrow etc, then its not so good.

[Goonlord]

Can someone recommend a good 4 port KVM Switch for me?

Must be USB, as the mini mac i will get does't have PS2 ports.

I'd like one that would come with all the cables needed. I saw this one on dabs, any one else recommend one?

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=200320

Er........ I've got a number4 meccano set

[tunnie]

Ive used a lot, including installing data centre solutions for a large bank, talking units from £50 to £10000, and to be honest they are not great.

Have you thought about a software solution?  ie using remote control software over a network?

I think this will work out much cheaper for you, and you will probably be happier with the results.

Biggest problem ive had with kvm is picture quality, its ok for business apps, but not much more than that, another issue can be the mouse, they often need re-syncing because the mouse doesnt match the cursor movement.

If you want to take this to PM i may be able to recommend you some software.
This solution may or may not suit your requirements, If you can have 1 computer on, to use to access the others, then its fine.  If you want to just use computer 3 today, 4 tomorrow etc, then its not so good.

Thanks for the replys all, I have looked around including Amazon & eBuyer. eBuyer have the best selection and used them many times before, they have loads of 2 port KVM's and some 4 port ones, but mostly PS2 ones. The USB ones did't have cables though.

Thanks for the info on the screen res, I have a few ideas on that:

Get a monitor with DVi input, and connect the MiniMac directly to the monitor. Which would allow me to get very high res when using the mac, i can use the source button to select back to VGA and then use the KVM.

Although I think that LG Flatron did'nt do DVi input..

[Jimbob]

fyi....If you are now looking at a different approach, may I suggest a look at some of the viewsonic monitors, mine is a VP191B (off top of head) which as 1 dvi and 2 vga connections, thats 1 monitor on 3 computers! (good selection on www.overclockers.co.uk normally), that would just leave you needing KM switch (or KVM but ignore the weak V part).

[TheBoy]

The LG Flatron I am currently using has DVI...

...isn't the mini-Mac getting a little long in the tooth now...?

[bob.dent]

You want one with a good video output. Dont go buying a crappy one for like £5 as more than likely you wont be able to push the resolution much above 1024x768 and refresh rates above 60hz will most likely cause image ghosting and damage to the switch itself.

The one you posted from Scan looks damn decent, at only 45 quid. The USB part itself is only a standard USB hub, which you can pick up for pennies anywhere.

Resolution of 2048x1536 and a video bandwidth of 400mhz (thats 100mhz per screen - more than ample). Go for it.

Regards, son of bob.dent

**edited 14/9/06**

[tunnie]

The LG Flatron I am currently using has DVI...

...isn't the mini-Mac getting a little long in the tooth now...?

The LG on eBuyer does not do DVi...

Cheers for that Jimbob... thats a thought because the MiniMac's DVi output goes very high.

Jaime, the MiniMac just got the Intel chips, and for about £450 ish on my student discount i can get one with 1.83 Ghz Intel Core Duo, which should have some kick to it!

Built in bluetooth, wireless & a DVD burner. I need a Mac to compare compatibilty of my assigments for uni, i think the MiniMacs with their new Intel chips should be faily quick. Since is basically 3.8 Ghz and reviews of the chips seam good.

[TheBoy]

The LG Flatron I am currently using has DVI...

...isn't the mini-Mac getting a little long in the tooth now...?

The LG on eBuyer does not do DVi...

Cheers for that Jimbob... thats a thought because the MiniMac's DVi output goes very high.

Jaime, the MiniMac just got the Intel chips, and for about £450 ish on my student discount i can get one with 1.83 Ghz Intel Core Duo, which should have some kick to it!

Built in bluetooth, wireless & a DVD burner. I need a Mac to compare compatibilty of my assigments for uni, i think the MiniMacs with their new Intel chips should be faily quick. Since is basically 3.8 Ghz and reviews of the chips seam good.

My mistake, hadn't noticed they'd released Intel minimac yet. The old mini was getting, well, a bit old...

[tunnie]

The LG Flatron I am currently using has DVI...

...isn't the mini-Mac getting a little long in the tooth now...?

The LG on eBuyer does not do DVi...

Cheers for that Jimbob... thats a thought because the MiniMac's DVi output goes very high.

Jaime, the MiniMac just got the Intel chips, and for about £450 ish on my student discount i can get one with 1.83 Ghz Intel Core Duo, which should have some kick to it!

Built in bluetooth, wireless & a DVD burner. I need a Mac to compare compatibilty of my assigments for uni, i think the MiniMacs with their new Intel chips should be faily quick. Since is basically 3.8 Ghz and reviews of the chips seam good.

My mistake, hadn't noticed they'd released Intel minimac yet. The old mini was getting, well, a bit old...

Yeah we had PowerPC chipped MiniMacs at my old work, and they where slooooooow.

Bit disapointed the new MacMini, does not have the 2.0Ghz Core Duo, highest you can get is 1.83... but that still should be enough for me.

I keep changing my mind between the Mini Mac & Mac Book.

Mini Mac:

Good Points: - Cheap, bigger HD than MacBook, can be KVM'ed & i can get a new 19" TFT which i have been after for a while....
Bad Points: - Slow HD, not as quick as the macbook, not portable (in terms of taking it downstairs to do some quick work)

MacBook:

Good Points: - Highly portably, very light and small. Very sexy looking   , very fast.
Bad Points: - Expensive for what it is, only 2 USB ports, optional extra DVI connector required, small screen which could be difficult to look at for long periods. Would i really move around with it? I don't think so

I'd really like a new big 19" TFT for uni and I already have a PC and Laptop, so KVM would be good, as deskspace would be limited with a Macbook.....

I am swining more to the MiniMac at the moment, any thoughts anyone? - Does anyone here have a MiniMac with Intel chip?

[Martin_1962]

Mini Mac:

Good Points: - Cheap, bigger HD than MacBook, can be KVM'ed & i can get a new 19" TFT which i have been after for a while....
Bad Points: - Slow HD, not as quick as the macbook, not portable (in terms of taking it downstairs to do some quick work)

MacBook:

Good Points: - Highly portably, very light and small. Very sexy looking   , very fast.
Bad Points: - Expensive for what it is, only 2 USB ports, optional extra DVI connector required, small screen which could be difficult to look at for long periods. Would i really move around with it? I don't think so

I'd really like a new big 19" TFT for uni and I already have a PC and Laptop, so KVM would be good, as deskspace would be limited with a Macbook.....

I am swining more to the MiniMac at the moment, any thoughts anyone? - Does anyone here have a MiniMac with Intel chip?

Sounds like a burger chain computer - just got a P4 2.4 with 400GB of HDD here and 200GB of that is duff

[Jimbob]

Did you think about the software solution, with 1 host pc, the others as 'guests'  The one I use has versions that will run on most platforms?

[tunnie]

Did you think about the software solution, with 1 host pc, the others as 'guests'  The one I use has versions that will run on most platforms?

I did think about a software solution, but I don't have the power to really do what i need.

I really need to run OSX, on a fast solution. I tryed emulating it in Windows with PearPC, although that works its as slow as me in the morning!

Plus I have been after a TFT screen for ages, been using my dads 19" screen and its a real pleasure to use.

Although the software solution can be done, and like Jaime i have used VM Ware before, i find my laptop which is my most powerful PC just does not have the grunt needed.

I also tryed using remtote desktop and other tools like VNC, but at my Uni house it cripples the network for the other 3 guys.

[Jimbob]

Ok, I use one called NETOP, works very well, not much bandwidth needed, has clients for windows, dos, unix, mac, os/2 etc etc etc, ive tried loads, this is the best to me,  Works great for controlling my home pc from work , as well as 2nd pc from a 1st.  If you want to talk further about it, pm me.

Good luck