Anybody know what a KVM switch is?

[Patch]

One like this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IOGEAR-GCS...item1c3ed6fde3

Could I use this to allow me to use an old laptop as an input device (laptop keyboard and mouse) and a display (laptop screen) for a SEPARATE connected desktop computer?

This image leads me to think that it IS possible:

GCS661UW6_0.gif

The reason I ask, is that I'm thinking of upgrading my laptop, and since I don't need the mobility of a laptop, I was thinking of getting a desktop (more power for less money!).

The new desktop would be running Traktor, and have all of my controllers and my DJM-850 connected - but it would be located UNDER my desk. The laptop (showing the display from the desktop's desktop) would remain on my desk on the Uberstand... Essentially, the laptop would be a "terminal" for the desktop.

Possible?

[deathy]

No, this wouldn't be possible.

However, there are other solutions available... Synergy is open source and cross platform, so that might be a good place to start - and is much cheaper than a KVM.

[Patch]

Are you sure - it looks like if I use Synergy, the desktop's desktop would need to be on it's own screen(?).

I want the display from the desktop to be shown on the laptop...

So, in Synergy language, the LAPTOP would be the SERVER, and the DESKTOP would be the CLIENT. BUT - the SERVER display would not be required - only the CLIENT (DESKTOP's desktop) display, on the SERVER screen.

Possible?

[deathy]

Ah, yeah, I see your dilemma. Hrm... not sure a solution to your problem exists - a KVM switch definitely won't do it, and anything you do find is going to suffer from measurable lag as it takes time to transmit the video signal from the desktop to the laptop.

Now, a regular remote desktop connection >WILL< do what you want, but as I said, there will be lag.

[Patch]

Of course, it's the lag that I'm worried about. Remote desktop over (hard wired?) LAN is definitely an option, but I've got no idea what the lag will be like.

I'd love to find a way of getting this working. Having a laptop and an input/output device for a hi-power laptop (that can sit under my desk) means I get the best of both worlds!

I'm just looking at some of teh software at Maxivista...

http://www.maxivista.com/multi-monitor.htm

[Scalage]

A KVM switch is simply used to have one output with multiple inputs. For example, I owned a PS3 and would use the switch to use the same keyboard, steering wheel set, display and speaker set for both my computer and the PS3. That is, until the PS3 broke...

These things can be very handy, just not for what you want to do. A LAN network would be something to look into.

[Patch]

Once I've connected a desktop and laptop over LAN, I'm thinking maybe I can use:

http://www.keyboard-and-mouse-sharing.com/

and;

http://www.maxivista.com/how-to-use-...as-monitor.htm

[Scalage]

I take that back, you can go much simpler.
1. Take a DVI or HDMI or even VGA cable if you want.
2. Plug one end in the laptop and the other end in your computer monitor.
3. Tadaa.

[Patch]

Mate - that is the absolute OPPOSITE of what I'm trying to do! But thanks for trying to help.

Your desribing duplicating the LAPTOP output on a separate monitor. What I want, is to display the desktop from another COMPUTER on my laptop screen... (And have the laptopm keyboard & mouse control the "other" computer").

[Scalage]

Why do you want to do that? Is your laptop screen bigger?