Switching input between two computers

[Tarupron]

I'm sorry if this is the wrong place for it, but I couldn't see a better spot.

 

I'm looking to change my home office setup to let me use one set of monitors/peripherals instead of having my set up split in two, one for work and one for my desktop. I've looked at a few KVM switches on Amazon but they make me a bit nervous given their price and generic marketing on all of them.

 

I need to be able to switch my keyboard/mouse/headset between a Windows 11 PC (play) and a Macbook Pro (work). The Macbook runs off of a dock but it isn't 100% necessary as work did provide me with the power cable as well.

 

Any suggestions?

[Aaron_T]

@Tarupron They aren't cheap, but these are some of the best KVMs you can get. I strongly recommend: https://store.level1techs.com/?category=Hardware

[shoutingsteve]

Those seem wildly over priced.  Plus a little reverse image search shows those same KVMs under different brands.

https://www.newegg.com/STARTECH-KVM-Switches/BrandSubCat/ID-1762-143

I would try a mid level one from somewhere with a solid return policy and see if it suits your needs.

[Donut417]

17 minutes ago, shoutingsteve said:

Those seem wildly over priced.  Plus a little reverse image search shows those same KVMs under different brands.

https://www.newegg.com/STARTECH-KVM-Switches/BrandSubCat/ID-1762-143

I would try a mid level one from somewhere with a solid return policy and see if it suits your needs.

Wow. Reverse image search….. There are no way the ones at Newegg are the same as the ones at Level One. I mean shit, from my understanding Wendell designed those KVMs himself. Granted the ones at Newegg are cheaper, but they dont pack the same features. 
 

Stand corrected. 

[Tarupron]

Oh boy they're pricey, I'm wondering if maybe it would just be more viable to run extra cables out of the monitors and switch the inputs on the monitor itself, do you think that would be more viable?

 

Since I'm staring down the barrel of at least $200 for one I need plus the cost of revamping my office set up, I'm hoping to cheap out somewhere in the interim and maybe get the KVM switch later.

 

Do you guys think that just switching the monitor input would be viable enough? I'd assume they would just automatically detect which input to use anyway based on which PC is powered on, right?

 

I should mention I do have a smaller cheap USB hub for switching my headset and a couple other things between that I could just use to handle the KB/M in the new set up.

[manikyath]

13 minutes ago, shoutingsteve said:

Those seem wildly over priced.

they're (relatively) small production runs based on the same design that startech uses.. but i can tell you from experience the firmware on startech ones is utter garbage (and that's what L1T actually set out to fix with their KVM's)

 

also - it's not because it's the same case, that it's the same internals and/or functionality. i can guarantee you that wendell isnt stamping cases to order for these, and neither is startech.

 

if you want to cheapskate on a KVM.. get  something with HDMI, and dont expect it to go past 1080p reliably.

[manikyath]

1 minute ago, Tarupron said:

 

Do you guys think that just switching the monitor input would be viable enough? I'd assume they would just automatically detect which input to use anyway based on which PC is powered on, right?

that's how i've worked from home trough the entire covid timeframe. let the monitor input switch, mouse with multiple bluetooth connections saved (logitech MX master 2S), and i just used a different keyboard because not having the drivers for an RGB keyboard is a surefire way to go blind with rainbowpuke.

[Monkey Dust]

I found the best way is a keyboard that can work either wired or Bluetooth combined with a mouse that can use both a dongle and Bluetooth, and just switch on the KB/Mouse themselves.

[Tarupron]

Thank you everyone for the information! I think for now I'll just run some extra cables to my monitors and let them handle it.

[Donut417]

1 hour ago, Tarupron said:

Do you guys think that just switching the monitor input would be viable enough? I'd assume they would just automatically detect which input to use anyway based on which PC is powered on, right?

I just switch the inputs on my displays. For the keyboard and mouse I have a USB switcher that allows me to connect 4 devices and switch between 4 machines. If I recall it was $30 on Newegg.