KVM Switch Help - What Should I Get?

Fergy1987 on 14/04/2021 - 10:22

Hi everyone, I am after a bit of help with a KVM switch or similar to try and tidy up my setup at home

Currently my office space is setup for both my personal computer and my work from home, and im using 2 keyboards and 2 mice and want to simplify it a bit by having both monitors accessible to each computer and go down to 1 keyboard, 1 mouse.

My monitors are as follows

1 x 1440p 27" @ 144hz
1 x 1080p 27" @ 60hz

At the moment I just connect the laptop to the 1080p monitor and keep my desktop connected to both monitors and just switch inputs on the 1080p monitor when I need to.

I want to try and connect the laptop to both monitors with an easy way to switch between the work laptop and desktop pc - But the issue seems to be finding something that will display in 1440p @ 144hz so I dont lose any of the specs for my desktop PC

Can anyone suggest a KVM switch or HDMI adapter or something that will help me set this up at these resolutions as I'm having trouble visualising what is actually required and how it will all connect.

Computing

Comments

  • djkelly69 on 14/04/2021 - 10:49
    -1

    There is a couple of Gigabyte screens with an inbuilt KVM switch, might be something to look at.

  • geekcohen on 14/04/2021 - 11:01

    You could look at Synergy - https://symless.com/synergy

    It uses the network for sharing Keyboard and Mice, I use it and it is great. It is just like using another computer as another monitor.

    • bohn on 14/04/2021 - 12:07
      +2

      There is also Barrier - which is free https://github.com/debauchee/barrier

    • mshanann on 14/04/2021 - 14:43

      Often these solutions don't work when your work 'computer' requires a VPN connection - as many businesses/enterprises configure their VPN clients to explicitly block connections to other computers on the same home network. Some software does allow an intermediary to be used that is accessible by both 'networks' - but you may fall foul to some work policy.

  • AndyC1 on 14/04/2021 - 11:19

    Have a look at the results from googling "USB KVM switches" and find one that supports the spec for the monitor you want to hook it up to (which may be hard as it's 144hz). Make sure you get cables as some do NOT include cables.

    I have only used in the past PS2 and USB KVM's on old style monitors and LCD's that were up to 1080 @60/72Hz.

  • djkelly69 on 14/04/2021 - 13:40

    My setup is kind of similar (although 1200p + 1080p), and I recently tidied up a bit by getting a Logitech MK850 (with 2 unifying receivers) so I could use it with both my desktop and my work laptop with just the press of a button.

    For display, desktop is plugged straight to monitors. Work laptop is connected via USB C to a dual display dock which runs the monitors. It only runs 2x 1080p@60hz, but that is fine for work for me. Dock is hidden away and has the unifying receiver in it so I just have to plug in the USB C cable and am good to go.

    One monitor auto detects which input is running, the other is an older monitor and I have to switch it each time.

  • uzz30 on 14/04/2021 - 14:15
    +1

    Have you considered using Remote Desktop Protocol ?

    This allows you to remote control sessions on one computer from another. It costs nothing, comes free with Windows and will run sessions in hi resolutions and in most use cases is better than mucking about with a KVM switch.

    • Switchblade88 on 14/04/2021 - 19:29
      +1

      I was going to suggest Chrome Remote Desktop which is super useful. Works even if the user isn't logged in, as well as through UAC prompts like when installing software. If the OP is continuing to ONLY swap the single 1080p screen, then this solution would be near-perfect and requires zero hardware investment to work

      MS's native RDP has been… inconsistent and inflexible when I've tried to deploy it over the years and I don't recommend it. Never got good reliability when over the internet due to manual port forwarding etc - Chrome Remote Desktop works every single time without any network fiddling.

  • abb on 14/04/2021 - 15:01

    Most (all?) monitors can be controlled by software. Look up "DDC monitor control" for your operating system (I use ddcutil on Linux).

    So, my suggestion is to use some free utility or write a script to toggle the monitor input selection, and just use a cheap USB sharing hub to change over your mouse, keyboard, etc. If you want to get clever, you could set up the monitor changeover script to fire automatically when the computer detects the USB keyboard is attached, so all you need to do is press one button on the USB sharer.

  • Rilakkujay on 10/12/2021 - 21:55

    I know this is an old post but I've the same problem and been doing my research all day..
    I want to switch 2x 4k 30fps monitors between work and personal laptops and I'm thinking of doing this setup:
    Connect dual 4k monitors to an USB hub - link below, and then have the USB hub connected to a USB 3.0 kvm switch - link below, has anyone tried this setup and will it work? Any drawback?

    USB Hub
    USB C Hub, 11-in-1 USB Hubs with Dual 4K HDMI, 4 USB Ports, 100W PD Charging, RJ45 Ethernet, VIA VL Superior Chip, SD/TF Cards Reader, 3.5mm Audio Jack for MacBook/Pro/Air/Chromebook/iPad Pro/ Type-C Laptopss https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B09D36VGFG/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt…

    Kvm switch
    Sabrent USB 3.0 Sharing Switch for Multiple Computers and Peripherals LED Device Indicators (USB-SW30) https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B074TYDJK2/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt…

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