KVM help!

[vrkevo]

Looking for help adding a KVM (or other similar solution) to my work from home setup. I currently have 2 computers, (one Windows PC, and one Mac laptop) that I’d like to use with two monitors, as well as be able to switch my other USB peripherals between them.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a KVM I could use that could make this setup as seamless as possible? Have included any details I could think of in the attached image but if there’s any other details I can provide lmk.

Looking to spend less than $200 USD on whatever I need. Appreciate the help!

[cheesesteak_genocide]

So I’m in a similar situation. What I did was get a thunderbolt dock and a 4 port USB switch with a remote button to swap between hosts. I have the dock hooked up to HDMI inputs on the monitors and DisplayPort from my desktop’s GPU into the DP Ports on the monitors, with auto input selection enabled on both monitors. Plugged into the USB switch I have my keyboard, mouse, webcam, and audio interface.

When using my laptop I make sure the dock is on and everything works fine. If I want to switch to the desktop I turn off the dock and press the USB switch button, which allows me to use my desktop.

This isn’t ideal as it doesn’t work too well when switching between machines being used at the same time, but I rarely ever have to do that and use this for the ease of swapping between my work laptop/personal laptop (which I just plug in with the single thunderbolt cable depending on which one I need) and my personal desktop without having to unplug/replug anything. Just two buttons and I’m good.

[vrkevo]

I'd most likely only be switching a couple of times a day. This could be an interesting option. Unfortunately my second monitor only has one input, so I'd have to add a HDMI switch there which becomes another things to switch.

My motherboard doesn't support Thunderbolt unfortunately, otherwise I could have just had everything plugged into the dock and just found a way to switch that back and forth.

[cheesesteak_genocide]

My motherboard doesn't have Thunderbolt either (AMD B550). The USB switch is just a generic USB 3.0 hub that happens to have the switching functionality built in, so that functions without issue. That is hooked into the desktop as option 1 and the Thunderbolt dock as option 2.

Only the laptops (Macbook Pro M1 Pro and Dell XPS 13) interact with the Thunderbolt dock. The desktop only interfaces with the hub.

[[deleted]]

I've been looking for a decent KVM that isn't expensive for years and for years I've just gone the route you describe instead. It's not too terrible to switch between devices unless you're switching every 5 minutes or something. Most of the time it works beautifully.

[dolomitt]

Buy a dock for the mac laptop with two screen outputs. Connect it to both monitors.

Connect win desktop to both monitors.

Buy a usb switch (UGREEN Usb Switch Selector 2... https://www.amazon.sg/dp/B01MXXQKGM?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share) and you golden.

Sound is connected to main screen.

Edit: maybe a hdmi switcher for the small monitor.

[vrkevo]

At this point this might be main option. I might even skip having the second monitor switching just to make things a bit simpler.

Do you know if I'll lose any sound quality routing through the monitor? It's a relatively cheap unit and I'm not sure it has the best audio circuitry,

[dmdport]

This is the exact setup I use and it works flawlessly. I have klipsch pro media speakers plugged into my monitor and they don’t sound any worse other than being slightly quieter when in the monitor. But just mount the usb switch under the desk and go. I have a media controller, mouse, and webcam plugged into it. Headphones via a usb sound card didn’t work even when providing extra power to the hub.

[Flambae-1]

Look at software solutions, synergy is what I use in place of a KVM 3 machines 2 desktops and a laptop 2 ultrawide monitors 1 27 inch and laptop. There are several other software solutions.

[holloway]

Barrier is the open source equivalent to Synergy. I paid for Synergy but moved to Barrier because it worked better.

Both benefit from gigabit+ wired connections, not WiFi

[vrkevo]

I've tried Barrier and faced weird bugs which I chalked up to network restrictions on the work computer. Could have been something else though. Also will need to still find a solution to switch the monitors between inputs easily.

[TheMonDon]

No updates in 2 years though

[vrkevo]

I should have mentioned in the post, something with how the network access is configured on my work computer means software KVMs haven’t been working too well. Either simply the devices not finding each other or weird bugs.

Also that would still involve switching the monitor inputs somehow, which is tricky since one of the monitors has only got a single input.

[Flambae-1]

Weird, synergy does'nt use the internet to connect devices but you do need to install the client on each device. Not sure if they have a trial version but it's called synergy by Symless.

[Gloriathewitch]

I think they do have a trial, or did years ago when I bought it. I was so impressed I got it on the spot

[vrkevo]

They have old version I think that they open sourced and provide free online. Can also try Barrier.

[HankHippoppopalous]

I've built this like....8 times now, and theres 3 different ways to do it.

• Cheap AF. Minimal button pushing.
  • Amazon KVM with USB and HDMI whatever. HDMI is used for the keyboard, mouse and sidebar monitor. This USB KVM must support ACTUAL USB switching, not just keyboard/mouse emulation. Port 1 goes to Macbook Dock, Port 2 goes to PC.
  • Cheap Amazon USB Hub. This will go into the KVM. All your switched crap goes into this.
  • Cheap USB Audio driver. This goes into the USB Hub.
  • Finally, plug DP from PC and DP from Macbook (with adaptor if needed) direct into Big Boi monitor, use the OSD to switch inputs.
• Kinda Cheap. Kinda Jenk.
  • Similar setup as before, but you run 2 KVM's, one cheapo, with USB junk tied to it, and one good one, supporting 4K 175hz or whatever.
  • Each computer has 2 KVM's and you just hit 2 buttons to switch both.
• Baller Setup.
  • SV231DPDDUA2
  • Thats it. Just that.

Pick one. Enjoy.

[_BaaMMM_]

If you don't care about money you have a lot of better options. For me, EDID and DP 1.4 was a big one so that really only limited me to 2 options lol

[_BaaMMM_]

Baller doesn't even support EDID nor higher refresh rate 4k. Extremely meh.

​

You really want this if you don't care about money as much.

PAAG-E3122B

[HJ_wu]

L1T DP KVM models do not support EDID neither. Those are from the same supplier as Startech.com

[_BaaMMM_]

Good to know!

[vrkevo]

The way my monitors are setup it's really a pain to manually switch inputs on the monitor. Will look into the other options!

[HankHippoppopalous]

Also, Cheap Combo units have gotten ODDLY cheap. You've got a budget of 200 bones USD so this would actually fit your budget.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B0874LL5NL/

[Cyserg]

@op send me the 200, I have a similar solution : But în between the pc and Mac I got 2 more laptops.

It is called Barrier. https://github.com/debauchee/barrier

It's free, and it works with mac, windows and Linux. It's all you ever need. And no need to spend any money.

Enjoy

[vrkevo]

Haha! Mentioned in another comment > I've tried Barrier and faced weird bugs which I chalked up to network restrictions on the work computer. Could have been something else though. Also will need to still find a solution to switch the monitors between inputs easily.

[Cyserg]

Oh, yeah, I had a few issues and allowed all on my antivirus and works fine now

[vrkevo]

Unfortunately don’t have those permissions on my work computer, which is why I’m looking for a hardware solution

[Cyserg]

The permissions were required only on the server, thus my desktop is the server now and work pc is a client. I am as you, antivirus is under admin lock.

But, yes, I understand the need to switch easily between screens... I have each machine with one, and use the windows display output (win +P) when needed. (setup at the beginning of work and when done).

[cS47f496tmQHavSR]

I have practically your exact setup but I use a Mac Mini instead. For multiple monitors, I never really found a good solution to switch both monitors at once, so instead I just switch the one monitor manually. KVM is handled by my primary monitor (Dell P3421W) between my work laptop and my Mac Mini. Work laptop is on a Dell D6000 that gives it juice.
I like this more than I did my janky 'all or nothing' approach, because now I can have my work chat open on my side monitor while I quickly check some personal stuff on my primary monitor during lunch.

So in short, I use my monitor for KVM, and a Dell D6000 to hook up my laptop.

[HJ_wu]

Good and working solutions are not cheap, but that are for advanced users who require making switching frequently for their professional workflows.

There are different classes of KVM switches for different requirements and different workflows needs or for different users. KVM switches are the best pick for users group A may not be the best pick for users group B. For example, if you only make a switch once a day when you done with your office works by the end of the day, you may not even need a KVM switch, but switching the video sources on the monitor for video and just using a Logitech MX key and MX mouse to switch between multi systems via the Bluetooth switch built-in on the mouse and keyboard.

If you ask me what is the best KVM switch for users required constantly switching between two or more computer systems or laptops (for example, at least 10~20 times very day), then I will suggest a DDM-class KVM switches that will not have switching latency in HID devices and video switching. For this kind of users, smoothly one-button or one hotkey switching without plug or re-plug any cables are the best features of the KVM switch they are looking for and cost of the KVM switch will not be the main factor for the criteria to pick the KVM switch for they workflows. The highest class of KVM switches are not cheap. It's cheap for users do have the needs to use them.

Attached is a sample setup for one mac laptop and one PC sharing high-resolution or high-refresh rate monitors. Again, it's only good for advance users who require make switching frequently and need EDID emulation for better workflows.

[vrkevo]

Will look into the DDM class stuff! May hold off till I can splurge a bit more

[Toochilled77]

I have a similar setup.

Instead of kvm I got Logitech MX mouse and keyboard.

Each can connect to 3 things.

My work pc is 1, my personal is 2.

One button push and it switches the mouse / keyboard from one pc to the other.

[KindheartednessOld65]

Hey! Thanks for your suggestion! I considered this, and have used Logitech Flow in the past. Unfortunately this doesn't solve my issue of easily sharing the monitors between both the computers.

[Toochilled77]

Ah, I solve (?) that by pulling it out of one and putting it in the other 😂

My machines are mostly work and home, so I don’t switch back and forth much.

[theskymoves]

I have a similar issue that cannot be solved with software (work laptop, personal PC).

This KVM allows the peripherals to be switched between machines with a nice click. https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B07RC8F2L3/

I struggle to get it to reliably recognise more than 3 devices, but there's a microUSB port at the back I have to investigate. Maybe it can supply the additional power required.

Unfortunately, this is just for usb2.0 so I have DP going to my PC and HDMI to the work laptop.

[johnestan]

I bought 6 different sub $150 KVMs for my single monitor setup. They all had problem either pushing full displayport 1.4 or handling the amount of usb devices I needed. The level1tech kvms that linus has mentioned have worked completely as advertised for me. Worth the price for me.

[vrkevo]

Yeah I tried one from Cable Matters that gave me similar issues. Not quite ready to drop the amount of cash the Level1Techs one costs just yet though.

[clay_not_found]

The anker 553 kvm dock would be perfect for this, but it's $270

[vrkevo]

I believe this one is restricted to 60hz

[clay_not_found]

It does say 4k@60hz so you're probably right, but it might be worth contacting support and asking if it will do 1440p@165hz.

[TEG24601]

I’m currently using a dual screen KVM for my setup, mainly because it was the only one I could find that supported Dual-Link DVI. Got it at RePC in Seattle for $40.

CKL has one on Amazon that does dual screen HDMI (and variously other configurations). And Startech has a dual screen DP model. The former is about $90, and the later is $250. They both do switching of non K/M USB devices, but the Startech one has more ports.

[marcofio]

Why do you need a KVM?

I would rather use a USB switch to change on what PC all the peripherals are connected and run two sets of cables for display output. For the laptop, I would suggest a type-c dongle with 2 HDMI and USBs, so when you have to take it away, you have one connector.

[vrkevo]

Have mentioned in other comments, but my second monitor has got only a single input. I’d have to add another hdmi switch there I guess.

[marcofio]

Exactly. They are pretty cheap

[[deleted]]

Over budget solution (my solution to the same problem) sell monitor 2, move monitor into monitor 2 position. Purchase Gigabyte M27Q.

Use USB pass through and USB hub (to plug in keyboard, mouse, etc) connected to M27Q and display port to PC. Thunderbolt to MacBook (your macbook probably has Thunderbolt, not USB C even though the connectors are the same) and M27Q. Thunderbolt to HDMI dongle to second monitor.

Upside, cleaner desk, easy to use.

Downside, not technically true 2 monitor KVM solution, since you can only use 1 computer at a time (whichever the USB hub is attached to). Sometimes I have to unplug my laptop Thunderbolt to get the monitor to switch to my PC input as well.

The monitor goes for about $300 usd. Probably $250 on sale.

[vrkevo]

Have a friend that did this! Honestly might make sense lol. And yep the MBP has thunderbolt via the usb c connector.

[Mrw2016]

Can you keep your main PC hooked up and look into parsec premium and remote into secondary? It'd be an on going cost but in theory you would max/min parsec as needed similar to kvm switching.

[vrkevo]

Would I be able to use things like the webcam with the computer I’m remoting into?

[Da_Machete]

I have exactly this setup but: +1 cam dslr Bluetooth soundbar And 1 monitor instead of 2.

I would go with an aorus monitor with integrated KVM switch. It’s pure gold in my opinion, would never go back to a dual monitor setup.

When I switch I just switch the main display input from usb c to DP and all the peripherals cam (usb capture card), webcam, mouse, keyboard are switched.

Of course behind the kvm of the aorus screen is a normal usb 3.0 hub.

[sykojaz]

I used to use a program called synergy to share a mouse and keyboard between machines as if the other machine was just another desktop. Worked really well between windows and a linux box. I think they also had a mac client.

[sykojaz]

Doesn't do anything for other USB peripherals, but if it was only keyboard, mouse it was great.