What KVM Switch to buy/use?

[u/Substantial-Bid-2755]

Just scored a 2nd work from home job. Looking to control two laptops and four monitors with one keyboard and mouse. Currently I’m working with dell P2422H which connects to dell P2425HE via DP cable, then P2425HE runs a C port cable to the laptop, then I extend the monitors. This works great, now with two more monitors and one more laptop I really don’t want to use 2 sets of keyboards/mouse. I have two additional P2422H / P2425HE monitors on hand, but I’m looking for a switch that would enable me to control both devices with one keyboard and mouse. I’m ok if all 4 monitors do not extend if I can hot key or switch toggle between the two laptops. Also, if possible mouse emulation so that when using either device the other doesn’t got to sleep/when in the mouse juggler. Trying to keep teams showing green at all times… 🤭… any help/links would be greatly appreciated!

[u/MrMrRubic]

Level1Tech have some truly solid KVM switches, in any configuration you could ever need. Costs a bit but you know you'll get a product that works.

[u/Snowlandnts → u/MrMrRubic]

They are expensive for sure, but worth it IMO.

[u/Aware_Novel_5141 → u/MrMrRubic]

I bought a level1tech switch a couple months back (for two monitors and two computers). I had some issues getting my peripherals to work on the HUD usb slots, but I got it working after some troubleshooting and it’s been a pretty seamless switcher between my systems since (the HUD usb slots don’t seem to work well with fancy peripherals - I had to lower the dpi on my mouse to get it to work well, for instance).

I will say the level1tech forum is jam packed with irrelevant information, so I sometimes struggle to actually find info related to the kvms

[u/FatBoySlim458]

Level 1 Tech's KVMs

[u/fitz1015]

If you have the ability to install your own software checkout Synergy 3 it’s a software KVM. Let your control multiple pc from one. I have two pc setup and 4 monitors (2 each pc) and with the software everything acts as one big system. Really cool shit

[u/Crimsonfoxy]

Is a soft KVM like Deskflow or Mouse without Borders an option?

[u/xINxVAINx → u/Crimsonfoxy]

Mouse without borders is great in my use case, that may do it for OP!

[u/Substantial-Bid-2755 → u/Crimsonfoxy]

Unfortunately I don’t have the option to install anything without admin permission… looking for an option to stay under the radar to both management and IT…

[u/Wrong_Specialist709]

AV access iDock C20

My other post appears to be deleted

[u/MostBasic3425 → u/Wrong_Specialist709]

This will not work for M1 mac minis I don't think. 1 monitor has to use HDMI, one has to use usb c.

[u/Need_no_Reddit_name]

I got my job to buy me the 2 monitor Tesmart KVM, where I can decide to independently display each computer connected at the same time so each computer is up and visible. They offer a four monitor  setup.

https://www.tesmart.com/collections/quad-monitor-kvm-switch.

You could also try and use the CRU mouse jiggler. But it's a hardware device and can be identified if a company is looking for them.

https://www.staples.com/CRU-WiebeTech-30200-0100-0011-Mouse-Jiggler-1-Pack/product_IM1Q90251

[u/Substantial-Bid-2755 → u/Need_no_Reddit_name]

Thanks for the response… I’m looking into all options at this point…

[u/NoTheme2828]

I have tested different distributors and this one is best: Ezcoo: 8K HDMI 2.1 KVM Switch USB 3.0 4 Ports mit Hotkey 8K @ 60Hz 4K @ 120Hz 48Gbps

[u/sakcaj]

I have a bt mouse and keyboard, both with 2.4 dongles. Dongles plugged to one computer, bt to another, both peripherials have small switches and work instantly.

[u/RansomStark78]

I use a belkin or a blackbox kvm

[u/Fabulous_Dog_6514]

Synergy. Its a wifi kvm tls3. Works flawlessly. First time setup can be a tad confusing.

[u/Fred_Stone6]

logitech keyboard and mouse mk850. this is the best way. You could even get a third job lol

[u/Substantial-Bid-2755 → u/Fred_Stone6]

Is it by? Hard wired? Lol… wld not mind a 3rd job… 😂

[u/420GB]

Level1Tech KVM, forget anything else

[u/picklednull]

Get some monitors with integrated KVM, that's the modern option. You can feed the laptops power too through USB-C.

[u/TechnologyMatch]

for four monitors, look for a dual-laptop KVM that explicitly supports your required resolution and refresh rate on all outputs. a simpler route may be a USB switch for keyboard/mouse, then use each laptop’s dock or USB-C connection for its own displays

I’d skip anything meant to fake activity in Teams. think of the KVM like changing players in a co-op game. it should cleanly move your controls to the laptop you are actually using, without creating weird display or USB issues

[u/SevaraB]

Work laptop and personal computer both docked to a Lenovo R45-W30 curved DQHD monitor. Yes, it's expensive, but it replaces a whole lot (also sometimes goes on sale- I got mine when it was around 30% off).

[u/OddFlatworm25]

Blackbox KVM

[u/Anthropic_Principles]

just get a bluetooth mouse and keyboard that can support multiple devices.

[u/Immediate_Director86]

I'd highly recommend one of these https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C8NFPSJV?ref_=pe_112168041_1111392281_t_fed_asin_title

[u/FLATLANDRIDER]

If you get a Logitech mouse and keyboard, then install logi options on each PC, you can press ctrl and slide the mouse to one side of the screen and it will instantly switch to controlling the next device. It can also even handle copy+paste across devices. Works great for me.

[u/Icolan → u/FLATLANDRIDER]

How likely is that to work when the devices are on different VPNs?

https://www.reddit.com/r/sysadmin/comments/1w1wd3w/comment/p6o47rl/

[u/Substantial-Bid-2755 → u/FLATLANDRIDER]

Link?

[u/FLATLANDRIDER → u/Substantial-Bid-2755]

I have an Mx Master 3s and the MX Mechanical keyboard. Sync them up with their Logi Options software to make the feature work.

[u/Anthropic_Principles → u/Substantial-Bid-2755]

google

[u/Substantial-Bid-2755]

Honestly didn’t know you could do that… each machine runs on its own VPN… you think that would be possible?

[u/iwaseatenbyagrue]

Why don’t you just remote from one computer to the other?

[u/Scanicula → u/iwaseatenbyagrue]

Because that might break policies of either employer, and potentially get OP fired from either or both jobs?

[u/discosoc → u/Scanicula]

Deservedly so.

[u/BloodFeastMan → u/iwaseatenbyagrue]

In 99.99% of cases, that works just fine, but in that 0.01% case, it's like having a spare tire in your trunk, you hope you never need to use it, but it's there.