Another KVM setup

ChatGPT rendering of my KVM setup. Sort of.

My “adult LEGO” projects continue; this time I’m adding hookups to my desk in my office for a modern (Apple Silicon) laptop, KVM-shared with my existing workstation (a heavily optioned and upgraded Late 2012 Mac mini‡). I’m trying to do this kinda on the inexpensive, while still going with quality gear. Here goes.

Mac mini

• USB to KVM (below)
  
• Mini DP to KVM
• USB to APC BE600M1 UPS
  
• Ethernet to GS305 (below) 

Laptop

• USB-C to CableMatters Mulitport Adapter (below)
  

CableMatters USB-C Multiport Adapter ($33 less a coupon)

• USB-C pigtail (about 10") to Laptop
• USB-C port to Anker Mac Book Pro Charger, 100W USB C ($24 including a 5' cable)
• USB 2.0 port to KVM
• DisplayPort to KVM (via a 3' DisplayPort cable)
• Ethernet to GS305
  

 KVM ($51 less a 25% coupon) After dealing with a weird screen blanking issue, swapped this component out to a Cable Matters USB 3.0 KVM Switch DisplayPort 1.4 for 2 Computers ($63 Used - Like New)

• PC1 IN (USB/DisplayPort) from Mac mini
• PC2 IN (USB/DisplayPort) from Laptop (Multiport Adapter)
  
• DP OUT to Dell U2412M display (matte goodness) (via a 1.6' DisplayPort cable)
  
• USB 1 to Dell U2412M built-in hub
• USB 2 to clamped StarTech 4-port hub (this hub is now hard connected to the Mac Mini, so things like file transfers to USB drives don’t get interrupted)
• USB 2 to Schiit Hel+ headset DAC/Amp (3.5 mm mic and 6.35 mm headset jacks)
  
• USB 3 to Schiit Fulla 3 DAC/Amp (being used as basically a DAC/preamp for my Wharfedale DS2 / PreSonus Eris Sub 8 self-amplified speaker setup) (3.5 mm pre-amp output on the back)
  

NetGear switch ($14 on sale)

• DC 5V positive pin 5.5x2.5 mm power supply connection: I got a tiny bit creative with this and went with this Universal USB / DC adapter, to avoid having to hang the Netgear’s bundled wall wart anywhere. Many devices can supply 5V 0.7A (3.5 W), though most computer-integrated ports not customized for charging will probably top out at  .5A (500 mA), 2.5W. In this case it’s hooked up to one of the (4) USB ports (which all share 4.8A total) on my APC Desk Mount Power Station PE6U4. Works great!
  
• Ethernet to Mac mini
• Ethernet to Laptop (Multiport Adapter)

Excluding the Schiit Hel+ (which I already had), the whole setup is about $150. Only thing I really need to add is a laptop arm or stand that can put it at the same eye level as the Dell, but that’s optional.

 

‡ 2.6 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7 (3720QM), 16 GB 1600 MHz DDR3 RAM, 1 TB Crucial SATA SSD (CT1000MX500SSD1))