PC Peripherals Docking Station or KVM switch or both for Mac mini M4

princeoo7

princeoo7

On a Journey called Life :P
Level J
My primary system is windows system until last week when I got my Mac mini. I primarily use Mac mini for work but I also want to use my Windows PC for Work and entertainment. I have my RK 84 keyboard and razor mouse right now connected to my Mac mini which is normally connected to my Windows PC.

What should I do? I need many usb A ports to connect either webcam, mic, camera.
HDMI ports for extra monitors, screen capture card.
In future might buy a audio interface has well.

I am super confused on what to do. I don't want to have 2 keyboard mouse setup and I am on short space. keyboard mouse have wireless ability but I have no interest in it due to battery backup issues. It won't last 10 to 12 hrs a day for me.
I have not idea on what to get so any suggestions are welcome :angelic:
 
I would suggest a thunderbolt dock.

KVM is great for device management for example server management but I feel its not good when you want to use the machine for display related activities like gaming, entertainment, video editing. KVM will limit the refresh rate and resolution of the monitor and features like HDR may not work. Also extra mouse features like programmable keys may not work with a KVM.

I cant think of a nice clean setup option. I use wireless mouse and keyboard, which allows switching devices when I am actively working on multiple devices. Otherwise a normal keyboard and mouse connected to main machine and rest I can just ssh in.
 
if only k/b and mouse is your problem, just get a KVM switch. Costs peanuts. Even with TB dock, you will have to switch the main cable back and forth. If you really need a TB dock, what's your budget?
 
desiibond said:
if only k/b and mouse is your problem, just get a KVM switch. Costs peanuts. Even with TB dock, you will have to switch the main cable back and forth. If you really need a TB dock, what's your budget?
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I am new to this stuff. no idea on what budget should I set for this. my be Max 20k to 30k
 
desiibond said:
Any reason why? I just searched on reddit and I see lots of comments on how they delay orders and how bad their support is. Stick to brands that have good stable dock lineup (Dell, Anker, Caldigit, Belkin etc).
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I was looking for something which have attachable usb C. rather than a pre-attached one.
 
Using this doc with my laptop. Only drawback/problem I've noticed is with the laptop lid closed if I launch any game over 1080p the monitor goes blank. Only title I succeeded in launching was Dota 2 with Vulcan, openGL wont work(not sure why). Apart from that, it works like a charm. Expanded monitors & ports. PERFECT.
 
princeoo7 said:
I have not idea on what to get so any suggestions are welcome :angelic:
Click to expand...
this is the issue I faced with my work mbp and personal laptop, I got a KVM switch for it and my monitor has inputs for hdmi and DP, DP is connected to mbp and HDMI to personal laptop, inputs are switched with one click and my monitor has auto switching on inputs, so its handled via it.
 
altair21 said:
this is the issue I faced with my work mbp and personal laptop, I got a KVM switch for it and my monitor has inputs for hdmi and DP, DP is connected to mbp and HDMI to personal laptop, inputs are switched with one click and my monitor has auto switching on inputs, so its handled via it.
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which KVM switch are you using?
 
@princeoo7 I have been through your situation as well, i.e., Using Windows and Mac machines together. I have tried multiple docks and KVM switches, but one or other things turn out to be incompatible, e.g. the two monitors will not run on full 4k resolution with a 60 Hz refresh rate, colour variations between 2 monitors even when connected to a MacBook over a dock. If you need a bug-free experience, I highly recommend you upgrade to USB-C-based monitors. I am using a couple of Lenovo monitors, and it has been a niggle free experience, and they cost 30k each.
Benefits
1. You can control all the OSD menus, like brightness, contrast, and input source, right from your machine. I use Lunar Pro on Mac and Lenovo Display Control Centre on Windows.
2. Niggle free switching between both machines, you just select the port from your current machine and no weird artefacts. They both run in 4k 60hz resolution with the same colour profile in Mac, Window and Ubuntu
3. For switching your keyboard (I have the same RK84 model) between Windows and Mac, just connect the dongle to your Windows machine and connect to Mac over Bluetooth. Switching between them is just flipping a button on the backside (switches between Bluetooth and dongle). For a mouse, invest in a Logitech mouse, and you can switch between the machines in no time.
 
deepak1990 said:
@princeoo7 I have been through your situation as well, i.e., Using Windows and Mac machines together. I have tried multiple docks and KVM switches, but one or other things turn out to be incompatible, e.g. the two monitors will not run on full 4k resolution with a 60 Hz refresh rate, colour variations between 2 monitors even when connected to a MacBook over a dock. If you need a bug-free experience, I highly recommend you upgrade to USB-C-based monitors. I am using a couple of Lenovo monitors, and it has been a niggle free experience, and they cost 30k each.
Benefits
1. You can control all the OSD menus, like brightness, contrast, and input source, right from your machine. I use Lunar Pro on Mac and Lenovo Display Control Centre on Windows.
2. Niggle free switching between both machines, you just select the port from your current machine and no weird artefacts. They both run in 4k 60hz resolution with the same colour profile in Mac, Window and Ubuntu
3. For switching your keyboard (I have the same RK84 model) between Windows and Mac, just connect the dongle to your Windows machine and connect to Mac over Bluetooth. Switching between them is just flipping a button on the backside (switches between Bluetooth and dongle). For a mouse, invest in a Logitech mouse, and you can switch between the machines in no time.
Click to expand...
The only Issue to this is. I already own 2 x 2k monitors and one of it is 144hz one for gaming. selling this won't make sense. on keyboard and mouse part, can't use it on wireless mode for longer periods of time due to my extensive use of them on system and to other get lag. Plus other peripherals are there too. thus I am stuck.

I was thinking of getting docking station and usb c KVM switch has will for smooth switch. else docker and 2 x thunderbolt 4 usb c to usb c, while manually change the cable when changing system.
 
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