I'd be willing to bet that most Mac mini owners also own a second PC or Mac. The problem they face, then, is whether or not they want to use the same keyboard, mouse, and screen for o­n the two computers. If they do, they must use what is called a "KVM switch" -- a switch for Keyboard, VGA, and Mouse. Such a device is the PKV-02MM, but this o­ne is intended solely for the Mac mini.

Princeton Technology Corporation will release the "PKV-02MM," a PC switch unit that uses the same design as the Mac mini, o­nNovember 22nd. It is Open Price, but estimated at around 18,800 yen.

Supported operating systems are Windows Me, 2000, XP, Mac OS 9.1 ~ 9.2.2, Mac OS X 10.1.3 ~ 10.3.9/10.4.x, and Linux (RedHat 8.0/9.0, Turbolinux 10.0). But, Linux will not be supported by the company.

The unit is the same size as the Mac mini, uses the same design, and fits directly beneath the Mac mini stacked o­n top of it. o­ne (set of) keyboard, display, mouse, speakers, microphone, and USB devices can be used o­n two PCs. Mixing between Macintosh and Windows is also possible.

Changing between PCs is done with either o­ne of the buttons o­n the front of the unit or a hotkey, and an LED indicates which PC is currently in use.

The interfaces for the keyboard and mouse are USB, and the display is mini D-Sub 15-pin (maximum resolution: 2048 x 1536 dots). Also available are two USB 2.0 ports o­n the back of the unit. Multifunction mice are supported.

The body size is 165.1 x 165.1 x 41mm (W x D x H), and it weighs about 600g. Include are specialized cables (0.3m and 1.8m), an AC adapter, and a hotkey quick reference chart.

Inspired by:
http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2005/1121/princeton2.htm

Press Release:
http://www.princeton.co.jp/news/info/news_contents/200511181802.htm

Product Information:
http://www.princeton.co.jp/product/kvm/pkv02mm.html