Gaming PC / Mac mini hybrid set up

[peeweep]

Can anyone offer any advice on how to approach creating a gaming pc setup with a Mac mini?

The pc is wanted for gaming and the Mac is wanted for music production.

The whole set up would be from scratch and I have no idea where to start.

Can both setups share a monitor, keyboard and mouse? A bit clueless on it all!

What you're probably looking for is a KVM (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) switch.

Basically you plug the peripherals into the switch, and then the switch into both computers. You can then switch between computers by pressing a button at will.

I won't link to one, because it will depend on what connections the two computers use for video (keyboard and mouse will very likely be USB for both)

You'll likely want one that will control the speakers as well.

Thank you! I’ve been trawling the internet trying to make sense of the best option and I’ve discovered things like Crossover and Parallels which some people use for gaming on a Mac without needing an actual pc.

Not sure now whether I should look at getting a higher spec mac and no pc or both a Mac and pc!

Personally, I'd be leaning towards going the other way if you're looking at only one computer.

You're always going to get worse gaming performance on a Mac running Parallels than you are on an equivalently priced PC.

Whereas while I know historically arty people tended to favour Mac, I can't think of much to separate the two these days for something like music production. Both PC and Mac use the same hardware these days, and unless there's a specific bit of software needed that's not available on PC, then it's just a matter of personal preference.

As a big Mac user and Windows gamer, don't go for a higher spec Mac and try to game on it. Really don't. Game selection is pitiful for Mac and Windows games do not run well if at all in Windows emulation (you either need Windows/ARM and to run it in a VM, or Crossover - neither have good graphics support for anything written in the last decade).

I do the separate Mac + games PC route.

The mini-KVM suggestion is appropriate if you want just one easy switch to flip. But note you may want different mice (and maybe even keyboards) between your machines - if you like the Apple flat mouse and its touch surface particularly. But that's bluetooth and the Mac won't mind you KVM'ing your gaming mouse to it at the same time so that's fine.

Also perhaps consider:
Most monitors now have two inputs so can be switched easily.
A simple USB octopus switch like https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07RC8F2L3 (there's a USB3 one as well for a bit more)

Thank you. It will need to be the separate Mac and pc option then. It’s an 18th birthday present. They are studying music and use logic on Mac’s at college and by borrowing my mac book at the moment.

They also have a gaming laptop which needs replacing and they would prefer a desktop one. So I’m trying to find a way to sort both at the same time.