Good KVMs + other questions

Question

Ever since Apple started offering up their Intel computers, I've been drooling for one. So I'm gonna bite the bullet and get a Mac Mini Duo (with employee discount from friend woohoo!). I've had a Mac before (iBook G3 with Jaguar and later Panther) but have since given it away as a donation. It got too outdated and someone else could've benefited more than I could from it.
I will have it running on the same keyboard, mouse, speakers, and display as my PC, which is my main machine (mostly for gaming and development work). So what I need is a simple (but quality!) KVM that has 2 USB ports (possibly three, I use my Wacom quite often), an audio in, and a DVI or VGA adapter. Does anyone recommend any particular product? Everything I've been able to find has PS/2 ports everywhere and no audio-in. Preferably inexpensive... $40-50.
And, my other questions... is it possible to install and boot Tiger from an external Firewire drive? The mini comes with a cruddy 5400rpm drive, which I guess could be good for storing music, photos, etc, but completely useless for running an OS and applications on. Is this at all possible, or should I just settle on getting an overpriced 7200rpm laptrop drive and dropping it in the mini then cackle while i throw the 5400rpm off a 22 story apartment building?
What's an inexpensive source for memory that'll fit in the mini? And is there any way you can have them drop one 512 stick in the mini instead of 2x256? Or would this be impossible?
Last one, kind of... how reliable are they? I know they're first-gen, and I generally don't trust first-gen hardware. They've got two beefy Intels in there, so I can imagine heat being an issue - is it? My flat is generally cool or cold. It'll get above 70 in here for maybe one week a year (gotta love San Francisco). Any other issues I should be aware of?
Very last one! Everyone with a Duo, how do you like it? Would you marry it? When I first got my iBook I wanted to marry it, but California state law prohibits it.
  Windows XP Pro   Mac Mini Duo to come!!

Answer 1

I use a Belkin KVM switch (Model: F1DL102U). The link below will take you directly to the model I use on Belkin's website:
http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?MerchantId=&ProductId=164060
I purchased mine at CompUSA for $69.
It is pretty nice. It's got a single button to toggle between two computers. And if one computer is already in use, then it will automatically switch to the other computer when you turn it on.
For example, if I am using my Mac Mini, then the switch will automatically switch-over to the PC when I turn on the PC. Then, when I turn the PC off, the switch will automatically move back to the Mac Mini.
But, I can use the button any time I want to toggle / switch between the 2 computers.
This switch has 2 USB ports, 1 VGA video port, 1 Audio in port, and 1 Audio Out port.
I have found that you can easily share multiple devices on the USB ports.
For example, I have my mouse plugged into my keyboard, and then the keyboard plugged into the first USB port on the Belkin KVM switch. Then, I plug my USB printer into the second USB port on the KVM switch.
So, if you have a keyboard with multiple USB ports, or a USB Hub, then you would be able to share multiple USB devices between both computers.
In my arrangement, I am sharing a keyboard, mouse, and USB printer. Additionally, I have a pair of speakers and a monitor shared between the two systems.
Everything works pretty good, and I don't really have any complaints. I'm actually quite happy with the setup.
I found several places online to purchase it, but purchased it on CompUSA's website. I placed the order online, and picked it up in the store (had my wife stop in on her way home).
I've had mine now for around 6 or 8 months. It's been working good for me.
As for the hard drive, yes OS X Tiger will boot perfectly fine from an External Firewire drive. I ran tests with mine, and found that the External FireWire 7200 R.P.M. Drive did return better performance than my Internal 5400 R.P.M. Drive. However, my external 7200 R.P.M. USB 2.0 hard drive returned significantly worse performance than my internal 5400 R.P.M. Drive.
The best source of memory that I have found is Other World Computing.
http://www.macsales.com
They have a great price, excellent support, and I have never had a compatibility problem with any module I have purchased from them. I've upgraded several Macs using their memory. Pre-sales, and Post-Sales questions / support is excellent.
It's a great risk-free place to purchase from. Their prices are very close to the bargain prices, but they definitely know Macintosh computers and supply compatible modules.
As for first generation systems, I'm not sure that Apple's First generation is much different from their 3rd. My luck with the different revisions of the iMac G5 were absolutely terrible. The only Mac's to have practically every part die frequently. They weren't able to fix it in 3 revisions. So, I wouldn't expect that you'll see much change in the first 3 revisions of the Intel systems. Best bet is to buy now, or wait until 4th or 5th generation.
It took them 4 tries with the current iMac systems to get it right. The new CoreDuo is experiencing much less trouble than the 3 generations of G5 systems.
So, I'd either take my chances now (if you need the system today), or wait until you see the complaint levels dropping.
Fortunately, the Intel Mini's don't seem to be experiencing the same level of complaints that have come out of other recent Apple systems (MacBook Pro (Intel), iMac G5, PowerBook G4, etc.).
Hope this helps.