How to use one keyboard, mouse and display for two PC's?

ThePensioner on 04/05/2012 - 06:32

hey guys, right now i'm using a mac mini and also another Windows PC tower. whenever i want to switch between them i need to re-plug in my headphones/keyboard/mouse/display and this is getting annoying. i've been using a usb hub for the mouse and keyboard so it's not as difficult to setup. is there anything out there that'll allow me to switch between them more easily?

what are my options?

thank you

Computing

Comments

  • allthedeals.com.au on 04/05/2012 - 07:32
    +1

    You need a KVM switch .. or Synergy (http://synergy-foss.org/)

  • futaris on 04/05/2012 - 10:11
    +1

    Yep. Use Synergy.

    • _Bruce_ on 07/05/2012 - 22:25

      I second this (though alter it to Synergy2).

      It is exactly what you want/need.

  • IanPlatypus on 05/05/2012 - 08:54

    I use this at work
    I tried synergy for a while but often it gets stuck or has some sort of crash and stops working.

    I found a better one that you can lock and unlock each machine with etc

    http://www.inputdirector.com/

    • _Bruce_ on 07/05/2012 - 22:25

      Were you using synergy 1 or 2?

      • IanPlatypus on 14/05/2012 - 19:56

        Don't remember sorry

    • omniX32 on 09/10/2012 - 23:12

      Nice, hadn't heard of this one. I guess synergy still has the multiple OS advantage though.

  • Nickdp on 06/05/2012 - 00:18

    are they both on your lan? install teamviewer on both, then from machine you use the most, connect via the other machine's local IP address, and control the 2nd machine from the 1st machine. It;s not the same as being in front of it using it's own kb and mouse, but its pretty close.

  • IJustKnowStuff on 08/10/2012 - 12:13

    Synergy2? I use the 1.4.3 beta. Is there a higher version? I can't see it on their site.

    • _Bruce_ on 08/10/2012 - 12:40

      This is what I was refering to:
      http://sourceforge.net/projects/synergy2/
      (actually version 1.3)

      History (that I knew about):

      Synergy development had (seemingly) stopped so someone forked synergy into synergy plus. Original guy came back and rebirthed synergy as synergy2.

      Current (I missed this bit):

      Both people since merged and went back to the name 'synergy'.

      TL;DR: 1.4.3 is just fine, ignore me.

      • macrocephalic on 12/10/2012 - 09:33

        Input Director is better than Synergy IMO

  • McAllisterW on 21/10/2012 - 18:47

    I've encountered two types of KVMs - one type toggles between different PCs via a mechanical knob while the other toggles with a key combination. I find the latter to be more efficient.

  • [Deactivated] on 22/10/2012 - 00:23
    +1

    you dont need to buy anything.

    install Microsofts 'Mouses without Borders'

    it's free, from Microsoft, you dont need to spend a cent. KVM are old news.

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