Simviation Forums

I'm not sure where to even start. Here is what I currently have:

Dell Inspiron 2650 laptop
19" Sony flatscreen LCD 1280x1024 resolution
Windows XP
1- wireless keyboard, wireless mouse

Here is what I just ordered:

Dell XPS 720
Q6600
8800GT
2gb DDR2 800mhz
750w PS
Windows Vista
22" Samsung widescreen LCD 1680x1050 resolution

I'd like to keep my laptop just for internet use, microsoft Word, and downloads. While using the laptop I prefer to use an external monitor along with the wireless keyboard and mouse.

Ideally I'd like to use the new PC solely for flight sim X and never have the new PC connected to the net to avoid viruses or a virus scanner from slowing it down. I'd like to basically share the 19" LCD with the laptop and the new PC along with the wireless keyboard and mouse. What are my options? Eventually I'd like to add yet another 19" LCD to run 3 monitors on the new PC when running flight sim. Is it possible to run 3 monitors with the middle monitor being a 22" widescreen and the side monitors being 19" non widescreens?

I assume the easiest set up would be to run the laptop with the 19" LCD and the crappy Dell keyboard and mouse that will come with my new PC along with an A/B switch for the 19" LCD. Then run the new PC with the 22" LCD and wireless keyboard/ mouse. I just don't want an extra keyboard and mouse cluttering up my desk.

Would a network benefit me? I'm not very familiar with setting up a network and the benefits of one. Sorry if this post was all over the place! I'm pretty scatterbrained with my options right now!

*edit- I forgot to mention I only have one set of good computer speakers as well. I'd like it if I could have both the laptop and desktop utilize them at separate times.

A two port KVM switch might be just what you're after. Allows you to use two computers with only one Keyboard, Video monitor, and Mouse.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KVM_switch

Setting up a home network might still be good if you plan on downloading a lot of add-ons. That way you can download them to your laptop, then transfer them to your simming machine, thus keeping it isolated from the internet.

If you have Windows XP and a router, networking is VERY easy to set up. If not, well, you can still do it, but it will require a little more effort.

As for your speakers, I'm sure there is a better way, but what I do is run the audio out from machine "A", into the line-in of  machine "B". Two PCs, one set of speakers, easy. The only drawback of that, is that with my machines, they both need to be running to hear sound from machine "A". (That MAY not be the case with your systems though)