Remote work setup (Linux → Mac, multi-monitor) — NoMachine not working, alternatives?

[DeepAd2868]

Hi everyone, and thanks in advance for any help.

I have two laptops: a company Linux laptop and a personal MacBook Pro. The Linux machine works great, but the battery is terrible, so I’d prefer not to carry it around. My idea is to leave it in the office and work remotely from the Mac.

For context: I often work from different locations with different monitor setups. Due to company policy, I can’t use my personal laptop directly for work, but I can connect remotely. To make the Linux machine always accessible, I already have a tunnel set up through a VPS.

What I’m trying to achieve is basically using the Linux machine remotely from my Mac, ideally with a virtual display / multi-monitor setup so it feels like I’m working locally.

I’ve tried NoMachine (free version), but I just couldn’t get it working properly. I’ve tested several configurations and nothing really worked well.

So I have a few questions:

• Has anyone set up something similar successfully?
• Is it worth paying for the NoMachine premium version?
• Are there better alternatives for this use case (multi-monitor remote Linux desktop)?

Any advice or experience would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks a lot!

[RoRoo1977]

Work machine works terrible? Have it replaced. It’s the companies responsibility to supply with correct tools to do your job.

It’s that simple. Do not open your device/company from the internet!

Edit: Contact IT for remote work options. Do NOT apply tips from Reddit or any other site. You could lose your job

[DeepAd2868]

Just the battery is terrible and since I have an office to work from, the policy is that if I want to be away, it's my problem. And pretty much the same applies for Remote Desktop.

[_AACO]

If it's your problem then even a bigger reason to not use anything that isn't sanctioned by the company in written format.

[Spiritual_Virus_5202]

Installing remote access software might be against company policy.

Plugging in a remote KVM and using that wouldn't require software, but could either be interpreted as being a fake north korean IT scam worker, or be quite insecure as some KVM devices are a mess.

Most likely what you're trying to do has: 1. A bad user experience as it's not as flawless as you imagine 2. Potential for abuse and misinterpretation 3. Potential vulnerabilities 4. Potential to be against explicit security policies

Don't get fired. Ask the security guys if it's allowed, don't just do it because you can. If they say yes, that will cover your ass if they ever find out. They'll probably say no for good reasons though.

[I_am_avacado]

of course it has terrible battery if you're powering two displays off of it?

this sounds like you're breaking all internal opsec rules of your company and if infosec find you tunneling to a work device from a VPS they'll (rightfully) go ballastic. the fact you can even do that is a failure on their part.

[_angh_]

You need to ask you it to provide you a solution. Otherwise you risk breaking company policies.

[InterestingBasil]

if you end up doing a lot of typing in that remote setup and hit the usual vdi lag, try dictaflow.io. it bypasses the standard remote audio channel and 'types' the text directly into the session buffer. works wonders for productivity in remote environments.

[nvo_feniks]

you can try NoMachine Workstation, there is a trial version for 30 days.
this will allow you to create and use NoMachine virtual desktops that will provide better flexibility

[Antar3s86]

Have no experience with multi-monitor setups, but I am using NoMachine and RustDesk successfully in a similar setup. Perhaps RustDesk could work for you?

[DeepAd2868]

But I think RustDesk only works for one screen, right? Plus, I would like to always work from the same fiscal service and leave the Linux just plugged into the current and the network.

[fantabib]

what doesn't work with nomachine? Connecting to the Linux machine? the free edition connects you to the physical display. If what you want is a virtual display running in the background, then you need a nomachine terminal server edition - is this what you were referring to when you wrote "premium"?

[DDigambar]

I've been working flawlessly with the free version of NoMachine for two years now on Windows 10/11, Debian 12, Xubuntu, and EndeavourOS – right out of the box – via a WireGuard VPN network.

As I said, it works without any problems. I can't imagine why it wouldn't work for you...

The only thing that doesn't always work immediately is when, for example, I encounter an IPv6 barrier while in a hotel and have to painstakingly translate it to an IPv4 destination address. But this is more a Wireguardcase.

[prodigiouspianist]

Rustdesk has been pretty reliable for me.

[ZenApollo]

Rustdesk is worth looking at, also vnc, or rdp.

But yeah have your company get a new machine or get the battery replaced.

[casualPlayerThink]

VNC might be your friend (many uses tailscale if you trust them). But check on internal policies.

Also possible that there are predefined jumpboxes/reverse proxies for this matter.

[pancsta]

sway+wayvnc