Two computers and one Studio Display?

[Johnf1285]

I found two answers in the Q&A on Amazon that make it seem this will not be ideal. See first and last questions:

View attachment 1983712

I saw this too, which turned me off from it, despite Ars Technica (I think) mentioning that the Studio Display worked just fine via a USB C 2.1 cable that supports 10 GBPS. I think it all boils down to the interface using Display Port 1.4 at the end of the day. The extra throughput then allows the connections on the back of the monitor to be used for, well, higher throughput things. So it all depends upon people's use cases.

Now the question is, who wants to test out this switch to see if it works knowing that the monitor allegedly does just fine with a USB C 2.1 10 GBPS connection, lol.

 

[Johnf1285]

I'm not sure you need the hub though since there is a hub built into the Studio Display. Can't you just daisy chain the two displays using the connections on the back of each display?

These cannot be daisy chained, unfortunately. It was the first thing I tried.

 

[Amethyst1]

I'm not sure you need the hub though since there is a hub built into the Studio Display. Can't you just daisy chain the two displays using the connections on the back of each display?

As pointed out, the Studio Display doesn’t have a second downstream Thunderbolt port. Daisy-chaining another display off it isn’t possible.

 

[Bazooka-joe]

After much research, I have decided to just buy this TB3 extension cable and manually switch between my Mac mini and my MacBook. It might wear out after a while, but at least I won't damage my computer ports.

USB4 Extension Cable 2.62Ft, Thunderbolt 3 & 4 Extension Cable, USB C 4.0 Support PD 100W 20V5A, 40Gbps Transfer, 8K@60Hz, 6K/4K@60Hz Video for Dell/HP/Anker Dock, MacBook, iMac, Dell XPS, Intel NUC

USB4 Extension Cable 2.62Ft, Thunderbolt 3 & 4 Extension Cable, USB C 4.0 Support PD 100W 20V5A, 40Gbps Transfer, 8K@60Hz, 6K/4K@60Hz Video for Dell/HP/Anker Dock, MacBook, iMac, Dell XPS, Intel NUC

www.amazon.com

Yep I’m in the same boat and that’s the one I’ve just ordered. I’ll be able to manually switch between my MacBook and Windows laptop without wrecking my MacBook port.

 

[Lee Cooper]

The problem I see using the tb4 extension cable is that you need to eject all SSD / HHD connected to the monitor before you unplug the cable from computer. Each time you switch computers.
Otherwise you will get the "improper eject" notifications, and possible corrupted files.

So, forget about TM or backup drives attached directly to the monitor.

 

[BeatCrazy]

Club3D CAC-1332 or CAC-1334.

The CAC-1332 would be easier/better, as you would only have to run a single cable to the monitor, and manually switch over. But I can't find it for sale anywhere!!

 

[turbineseaplane]

Imagine if Apple had simply added a 2nd input

 

[BeatCrazy]

A hub is not a switch. A hub has only one port for one computer, the rest of them are for devices like displays, SSDs..

The only switch available is Cable Deconn:
https://www.amazon.com/CableDeconn-Bi-Direction-Delivery-Transfer-Converter/dp/B092VHC166/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3OU6JW9LPZ3JZ&amp&keywords=cabledeconn+usb+c+switch&amp&qid=1647021152&amp&s=electronics&amp&sprefix=cabledeconn+usb+c+switc,electronics,88&amp&sr=1-3&amp&tag=mrforums-20&tag=tapainc-20

Nobody tried that?

I found two answers in the Q&A on Amazon that make it seem this will not be ideal. See first and last questions:

View attachment 1983712

For some reason, I'm getting the vibe that the seller says "no" mainly because they haven't tried it/confirmed it will work with that exact use case.

If no one here has any direct experience, I might just have to order one myself...

 

[Amethyst1]

Imagine if Apple had simply added a 2nd input

The last Apple LCD to have more than one input was the Blueberry Studio Display.

 

[maverick808]

For some reason, I'm getting the vibe that the seller says "no" mainly because they haven't tried it/confirmed it will work with that exact use case.

Unfortunately, some of the reports from buyers in the reviews show they tried it with the ultrafine and it didn't work. With both the sellers and buyers reporting it doesn't work I think we can be pretty certain it doesn't.

 

[BeatCrazy]

Unfortunately, some of the reports from buyers in the reviews show they tried it with the ultrafine and it didn't work. With both the sellers and buyers reporting it doesn't work I think we can be pretty certain it doesn't.

Ah. But I wonder, "why"?

 

[sigamy]

Count me in!

I emailed the company asking to purchase, let’s see what they reply back.

I'd be interested too.

 

[WhatTheCJ]

I'd be interested too.

Forgot to update the forums... the company responded initially, however upon my response to them, they haven't gotten back to me. They were wondering if this was a purchase for a company; I had mentioned a bulk order but they have not responded. Their loss... for now, I've decided on this: https://www.amazon.com/YoungSelly-M...x=thunderbolt+4+magnet,electronics,208&sr=1-5

Allows me to switch between my two Macs easily, no stress on the port or cable

 

[edanuff]

Unfortunately, some of the reports from buyers in the reviews show they tried it with the ultrafine and it didn't work. With both the sellers and buyers reporting it doesn't work I think we can be pretty certain it doesn't.

I don’t think that the Ultrafine is a good indicator one way or another. The panels might be the same but I think the controllers are probably completely different.

 

[BeatCrazy]

Forgot to update the forums... the company responded initially, however upon my response to them, they haven't gotten back to me. They were wondering if this was a purchase for a company; I had mentioned a bulk order but they have not responded. Their loss... for now, I've decided on this: https://www.amazon.com/YoungSelly-Magnetic-Connector-Thunderbolt-Compatible/dp/B09SP1JZPC/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=thunderbolt+4+magnetic+adapter&qid=1648704076&s=electronics&sprefix=thunderbolt+4+magnet,electronics,208&sr=1-5

Allows me to switch between my two Macs easily, no stress on the port or cable

Well that’s a low cost solution that I hadn’t considered. You’ve received these in particular, and they work? They need to sell just the short ends, too.

 

[Lee Cooper]

For two Macs could try Screen Mirroring as BeatCreazy proposed in the ASD owner thread.

Not sure if the Mac Mini and Mac Studio support Airplay Mirroring. The MBP supports, and the Apple TV...

My advise here is to use wired gigabit connections to all Macs.

Maybe Screen Mirroring this is Apple idea of a KVM switch, who knows...at 10 Gbs network will be perfect.

 

[Johnf1285]

Forgot to update the forums... the company responded initially, however upon my response to them, they haven't gotten back to me. They were wondering if this was a purchase for a company; I had mentioned a bulk order but they have not responded. Their loss... for now, I've decided on this: https://www.amazon.com/YoungSelly-Magnetic-Connector-Thunderbolt-Compatible/dp/B09SP1JZPC/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=thunderbolt+4+magnetic+adapter&qid=1648704076&s=electronics&sprefix=thunderbolt+4+magnet,electronics,208&sr=1-5

Allows me to switch between my two Macs easily, no stress on the port or cable

Nice! I just ordered some of these too. Good find, thanks for sharing.

 

[BeatCrazy]

I think the iss

Nice! I just ordered some of these too. Good find, thanks for sharing.

Please report back when you receive it. I couldn't tell if @WhatTheCJ was actually using them hands-on, at this time.

 

[Johnf1285]

Will do. They should arrive tomorrow. Hopefully they’re not total junk like a lot of things on Amazon nowadays.

 

[WhatTheCJ]

Please report back when you receive it. I couldn't tell if @WhatTheCJ was actually using them hands-on, at this time.

Yes, using them right now! The link I provided is the ones I have. It includes 2 magnetic pieces that go on the cable, and 4 'stubs' that go into the usb-c port -- they work perfectly

 

[BeatCrazy]

Yes, using them right now! The link I provided is the ones I have. It includes 2 magnetic pieces that go on the cable, and 4 'stubs' that go into the usb-c port -- they work perfectly

You bought the 2-pack elbow version?

 

[WhatTheCJ]

You bought the 2-pack elbow version?

I bought the 2-pack straight, but I see that is no longer an option. for my setup, the straights made more sense than the elbow pieces.

I have a Mac mini and a MBP for work. Only reason I bought the 2 pack was convenience/future proof.

 

[BeatCrazy]

I bought the 2-pack straight, but I see that is no longer an option. for my setup, the straights made more sense than the elbow pieces.

I have a Mac mini and a MBP for work. Only reason I bought the 2 pack was convenience/future proof.

Cool. I just ordered a straight one, will test on my XDR tomorrow.

 

[Johnf1285]

Two pack of elbow connectors arrived today. So far, so good!

I intend on mounting this Anker hub under my desk with some hefty double sided tape once I get everything set up. Once mounted, I'll be able to do the switch between work and home with minimal effort and it’ll look nice and neat. Right now work is plugged in (MacBook Pro will live elsewhere than the desk, currently on the floor lol) and the wire with the other magnetic connector in the foreground is home (Mac Studio).

Swapping them is near effortless. I guess this might be the best solution for me. A button (a la KVM) would've been nicer.

 

[BeatCrazy]

I bought the 2-pack straight, but I see that is no longer an option. for my setup, the straights made more sense than the elbow pieces.

I have a Mac mini and a MBP for work. Only reason I bought the 2 pack was convenience/future proof.

Confirmed, I was able to use this adapter and retain full 6K functionality + charging via my Pro Display XDR. So, I'm confident it should work via ASD like it did for @WhatTheCJ
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09SP1JZPC/

I'm calling this approach the "poor man's KVM" for using two computers and one Studio Display (or XDR).