Setup Suggestions for Apple/Windows Workflow

Hardware
1

Hello, I am thinking about updating my home office hardware and setup and hope folks have some suggestions for how I might create a setup that efficiently allows for both Apple and Windows hardware environments.

I have a work-assigned Windows laptop with no option for a MacBook. For personal use, I currently have an iMac Retina 5k 2019 and second ~2010 iMac in target display mode as a second monitor. I currently connect the work laptop to two other old monitors so end up with four monitors total between work and personal use which feels like overkill (plus makes my home office look a bit ridiculous).

If I didn’t have to worry about the Windows aspect, I would purchase a Mac Studio (or Mac Mini) as an upgrade to my 2019 iMac and then connect to two Studio Displays. Ideally I would also be able to connect my work laptop to the two studio displays, but I have seen conflicting details about whether or not the Studio Displays play nicely with Windows PCs. In addition, it seems like I would need some sort of “switch” between the monitors and the Mac Studio and Windows laptop.

Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks in advance!

2

Does your work laptop allow an RDP connection ?
If so you can just open a Remote Desktop on the Mac.

2 Likes
3
  • 1 for RDP.

I used MS Remote Desktop on my Mac to run remote Windows clients and servers for years. And sharing files could be as easy as sharing a folder on your Mac.

4

Unfortunately, I don’t think I can do a remote desktop connection since my work laptop has to run through a VPN to connect to work files. I don’t think I will be able to convince the IT team to let me somehow tunnel through the VPN to my Mac. :frowning_face:

5

I share a single monitor between a Mac Mini and a Dell Laptop. I just use a simple HDMI switching box with separate keyboards for each computer and I have a Dell USB C dock for the laptop

This means I only have to plug the Laptop into the Dock and press the button on the HDMI switcher to get to work.

At the end of the day I disconnect the laptop and press the button the the HDMI switcher, I’m back to my Mac

It’s not perfect, but in the very limited space I have, it works.

1 Like
6

One of the Logitech keyboards that can connect wirelessly to multiple devices could be an option here.

1 Like
7

Is there a reason you couldn’t connect your Windows laptop to the studio displays (such as older connections).

Get the mac mini and and the dual studio and connect those to the windows machine.

8

It’s a great idea and I’ve tried that in the past, but I prefer a Mac keyboard for a Mac and a Windows Keyboard for Windows.

I had the Logitech K380 (I think, the solar powered one) to allow me to switch between Windows, Mac and iPad, but it never clicked and I switched back to separates