Synergy Alternative

Luecas · June 19, 2017

I've been seeing these Synergy ads in Linus's videos and realized that it's the right solution for me. The problem I have with it is that it's wireless. I have a gaming rig, a streaming rig, and a workstation rig, with plenty of monitors, ranging from a 34" ultrawide to a 4:3 HP monitor that's not the prettiest. I am sharing large clips from my gaming rig (that also records) to the content creation workstation, copying webpages from the streaming computer to the gaming rig, etc. I want to know if large file sharing (max 75 GB) would be any sort of slow. I want to share my mouse and keyboard across these three rigs with the least amount of latency possible. Is there a wired alternative to Synergy? Perhaps running networking cables of some sort between these systems would help?

DrMacintosh · June 19, 2017

3 minutes ago, Luecas said:

I've been seeing these Synergy ads in Linus's videos and realized that it's the right solution for me. The problem I have with it is that it's wireless. I have a gaming rig, a streaming rig, and a workstation rig, with plenty of monitors, ranging from a 34" ultrawide to a 4:3 HP monitor that's not the prettiest. I am sharing large clips from my gaming rig (that also records) to the content creation workstation, copying webpages from the streaming computer to the gaming rig, etc. I want to know if large file sharing (max 75 GB) would be any sort of slow. I want to share my mouse and keyboard across these three rigs with the least amount of latency possible. Is there a wired alternative to Synergy? Perhaps running networking cables of some sort between these systems would help?

sounds like you need Thunderbolt hun.

NLD1st · June 19, 2017

Just install the mouse on the gaming rig so you game at the best latency possible. AFAIK the other pcs/programme shouldn't be bothered to much by a couple ms extra latency.

GoodBytes · June 19, 2017

24 minutes ago, Luecas said:

I've been seeing these Synergy ads in Linus's videos and realized that it's the right solution for me. The problem I have with it is that it's wireless. I have a gaming rig, a streaming rig, and a workstation rig, with plenty of monitors, ranging from a 34" ultrawide to a 4:3 HP monitor that's not the prettiest. I am sharing large clips from my gaming rig (that also records) to the content creation workstation, copying webpages from the streaming computer to the gaming rig, etc. I want to know if large file sharing (max 75 GB) would be any sort of slow. I want to share my mouse and keyboard across these three rigs with the least amount of latency possible. Is there a wired alternative to Synergy? Perhaps running networking cables of some sort between these systems would help?

I never liked Synergy. As alternatives you have:

Microsoft Mouse Without Borders - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35460
Input Director - https://www.inputdirector.com/

Input Director doesn't have a nice copy and paste like Mouse Without Borders, however it works with network folder share. So if you network share your Desktop, you should be able to copy and paste any file size no problem. I am not sure how Mouse Without Border fairs.. never tried really large files.

As for network speed, and latency, that would depend on your network (Ethernet card, its drivers, router, cables). Wireless network is not recommended due to packet loss, which may result in your mouse skipping here and there, or not register clicks.

As for a non-network alternative, you have a standard KVM Switch. It is a switch system where you have a physical button that you press and your keyboard/mouse and the video signal of the monitor. Some also has Audio switching as well. You can't copy and paste files, or any content in between, however. But, it will be like you are directly plugged in to the system.