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2 computers 1 display, mouse, keyboard and speakers

D

dsmush

macrumors member
Original poster
Aug 29, 2012
42
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Hi, I'm finally upgrading from a 2009 Macbook Pro to a 2018 model. I have a Windows PC mostly for gaming and I use my Mac for day to day tasks and studying. I'm looking at getting a 4K monitor, probably this one https://www.lg.com/us/monitors/lg-27UK850-W-4k-uhd-led-monitor I was going to get the cheaper version (27UK650) but as my PC graphics card only supports 4K 60HZ over display port I need the USB C so I can have both Mac and PC connected and switch inputs via OSD Menu (sadly though I don't think the USB C on the monitor is powerful enough to charge Macbook Pro 15").

Now what I would like to know is two things. Firstly, if I buy this https://www.amazon.co.uk/UGREEN-Sha...6335311&sr=8-3&keywords=keyboard+mouse+switch would it allow me to switch a single set of keyboard and mouse between the Macbook Pro and PC?
Secondly, How do I go about my speakers switching between Macbook Pro and PC? The monitor has a headphone jack port on the back, would I be able to run a cable from that to my Sub then whichever machine is being displayed on monitor the audio would come out of my speakers?

Thanks
 
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For your first question, I use a similar switch like that, but with only one USB port to switch my keyboard between my MBP and my Windows PC and it works without issue.
 
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I have a Dell 3415W, it comes with two USB 3.0 input ports. You assign each to video input port, so when switching video input in OSD you are also switching the USB port, which turns the monitor into full KVM switch. Keyboard and mouse are connected to monitor. The audio over DP/HDMI also switches (has also audio out jack). Works without issue with Windows desktop as the second machine.

If I were you I would look for a 4k monitor with two USB inputs.

So you would need three cables, one usb-c to DP (for monitor) and one usb-c to USB3.0 (for actual USB signal) and the third one for power. Easier would be to buy a TB3 dock, and run the connections from it - if it has enough power delivery it would mean only connecting one cable to Mac. And it would have to be TB3 and not just usb-c since you want 4k@60Hz.

Only issue I'm experiencing, when switching to Windows box and back to Mac (or after waking Mac from sleep) I'm losing HDMI/DP audio device in MacOS. Only restarting Mac restores the device.
 
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Thysanoptera said:
I have a Dell 3415W, it comes with two USB 3.0 input ports. You assign each to video input port, so when switching video input in OSD you are also switching the USB port, which turns the monitor into full KVM switch. Keyboard and mouse are connected to monitor. The audio over DP/HDMI also switches (has also audio out jack). Works without issue with Windows desktop as the second machine.

If I were you I would look for a 4k monitor with two USB inputs.

So you would need three cables, one usb-c to DP (for monitor) and one usb-c to USB3.0 (for actual USB signal) and the third one for power. Easier would be to buy a TB3 dock, and run the connections from it - if it has enough power delivery it would mean only connecting one cable to Mac. And it would have to be TB3 and not just usb-c since you want 4k@60Hz.

Only issue I'm experiencing, when switching to Windows box and back to Mac (or after waking Mac from sleep) I'm losing HDMI/DP audio device in MacOS. Only restarting Mac restores the device.
Click to expand...

Thanks for you reply. I don't want to spend too much on a monitor and I quite like the look of the LG also has low input lag which is useful for gaming. Ultimately I will probably end up buying the USB 3.0 switcher for the purpose of sharing mouse and keyboard with MBP and PC. I think my main concern is how I go about sharing my speakers with both machines? Would my method of connecting speakers to the headphone port at the back of monitor work (using a 3.5mm audio cable)? Alternatively I guess I could just buy 2 3.5mm audio cables and leave one plugged into my PC and the other end loose next to the speaker and an another from MBP again loose next to speakers and swap them around as needed.

Also I've just had a thought, I don't think I need the version of this monitor that comes with USB C as it is only my PC which doesn't support 4k 60HZ over HDMI I can connect my PC using display port while MBP could be connected over HDMI (obviously using a cable that supports USB-C to HDMI 4K 60HZ) right?
 
dsmush said:
I think my main concern is how I go about sharing my speakers with both machines? Would my method of connecting speakers to the headphone port at the back of monitor work (using a 3.5mm audio cable)
Click to expand...

Yes, this will work, you will just have additional audio device named "LG something" on your PC/Mac, select it and audio will be passed to the audio out on the monitor. But, like I wrote above, this audio device disappears from Mac after sleep or switching to different input on the monitor and have to restart the Mac to have the audio through monitor working again. It may be just particular configuration, or a systemwide bug in MacOS, I don't know.

dsmush said:
Also I've just had a thought, I don't think I need the version of this monitor that comes with USB C as it is only my PC which doesn't support 4k 60HZ over HDMI I can connect my PC using display port while MBP could be connected over HDMI (obviously using a cable that supports USB-C to HDMI 4K 60HZ) right?
Click to expand...

Yes, you don't need it, besides, looking at spec they list as ver 3.1 gen 1 with data, so it looks like two lanes for USB, two for DP and this is not enough for 4k@60 anyway, you'll be limited to 4k@30.
 
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Thysanoptera said:
Yes, you don't need it, besides, looking at spec they list as ver 3.1 gen 1 with data, so it looks like two lanes for USB, two for DP and this is not enough for 4k@60 anyway, you'll be limited to 4k@30.
Click to expand...

Can I still get 4K 60HZ over HDMI and DisplayPort though?
 
dsmush said:
Can I still get 4K 60HZ over HDMI and DisplayPort though?
Click to expand...
If your monitor and your video card/pc support it then it should be fine. Also make sure the cable you buy supports it as well.

My monitor (Eizo EV3237 31.5" 4K) supports 60hz over Displayport, but not over HDMI/DVI. I connect my 2017 15" MBP to it with a USB-C to DP cable and it works fine at 4K 60hz. When I connected my Windows machine to it with a standard Displayport cable and it worked fine at 4k 60hz as well.
 
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Ok I'm getting a bit confused now. here is what I was about to buy to be able to hook up MBP and a PC to the LG monitor (https://www.lg.com/uk/monitors/lg-27UK650) with 1 set of keyboard, mouse and speakers:
Is there anything I am missing? would I be better getting a Thunderbolt 3 dock and not buying the USB switcher? because I could then hook the mouse and keyboard up to the dock then from the dock to the monitors USB C port (would mean getting the upgraded version of monitor) also could possibly charge MBP from the TB3 dock?
 
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That’s all that you need, nothing is missing, just verify that the monitor supports 4k@60 over HDMI, but I’d be surprised if it doesn’t, smbu2000 above makes a good point. TB3 dock would save you from connecting 3 cables to Mac, but you would still need the USB switcher.
 
Thysanoptera said:
That’s all that you need, nothing is missing, just verify that the monitor supports 4k@60 over HDMI, but I’d be surprised if it doesn’t, smbu2000 above makes a good point. TB3 dock would save you from connecting 3 cables to Mac, but you would still need the USB switcher.
Click to expand...
Why would I need the switcher? could I not have the USB Keyboard and Mouse connected to the TB3 dock then to the USB C port on monitor?
 
Sky
dsmush said:
Wouldn't the mouse and keyboard work depending on which machine (input - HDMI or DisplayPort) is selected via the OSD menu?
Click to expand...
That monitor has one usb input only, that’s why you need the usb switcher. If you bought a monitor like mine, with two inputs - then yes. HDMI/DP cables transmit only video and audio signals (well you can embed some more but it doesn’t matter in your case).
 
Ok I think I may understand now. I've drawn up a diagram of how I plan to connect everything is it correct or would you suggest another way? I assume this way would allow MBP to charge from TB3 Dock and allow for connecting external USB hard drive? Thanks

vP7zCEF.png
 
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