[SOLVED] I am considering getting a Macbook (KVM Switch question)

bns1968 · 10-31-2009, 04:21 PM

I know nothing about Mac, but want to learn. Right now I have two PC (Laptops) on a KVM switch. I need to replace one of the PC's, but I would like to know if the Mac will work with my KVM switch? This requires pressing scroll lock 2 times to switch between units.

**Done_Fishin** · 11-01-2009, 04:06 AM

The KVM should work with a Mac too. The KVM intercepts the keyboard input and when it sees that the control key has been hit twice it will then switch to the output circuit of the character that follows immediately afterwards.

for details about layout see here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Keyboard

also from the same artcle note

Quote:

The Command key (⌘), used in most Mac keyboard shortcuts. The key functions as the Windows key in Windows environments, or a Meta key in Unix-like environments. In common applications, such as word processors, it is the equivalent to the Windows Control key. Compared to their equivalents of the standard IBM PC keyboard layout the Command key and the Option key are located in reverse order.

you may have to ensure which key would be used as the "control" key in normal use for the KVM to function.

Another way to check this out would be to see what keyboard codes are given in a MAC environment and which is the equivalent to the IBM compatible keyboard code.

http://terpconnect.umd.edu/~nsw/ench...ncode.htm#Key4

CTRL = HEX 1D or DEC 29

From what I have been reading there are layout differences between the Mac and the IBM keyboards so you may want to check them out before you start panicking. Since the keyboards work on ASCII code you will probably have no problems however I have seen mention of re-programming keys & functions.

10-31-2009, 04:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
bns1968 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 15 OS: Windows 2003 Servers and XP desktop	[SOLVED] I am considering getting a Macbook (KVM Switch question) I know nothing about Mac, but want to learn. Right now I have two PC (Laptops) on a KVM switch. I need to replace one of the PC's, but I would like to know if the Mac will work with my KVM switch? This requires pressing scroll lock 2 times to switch between units.