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32" Monitor allowing easy switch between two macs

dafi

dafi

macrumors member
Original poster
Nov 7, 2021
55
9
Well I am very cunfused in picking the right monitor for my mini M1 and the confusion increases considering I use it together with a MacBook pro, I switch between them very often so I'm looking for a monitor doing it very fast
Currently I use a Samsung with infrared control so I simply push a button, do you know for some 4k monitor compatible with Mac ppi allowing switch in some simple manner?
 
Get one with two DisplayPorts/HDMI. Then get two USB-C to DisplayPort/HDMI cables.

The monitor will let you switch between inputs.
 
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dafi said:
Well I am very cunfused in picking the right monitor for my mini M1 and the confusion increases considering I use it together with a MacBook pro, I switch between them very often so I'm looking for a monitor doing it very fast
Currently I use a Samsung with infrared control so I simply push a button, do you know for some 4k monitor compatible with Mac ppi allowing switch in some simple manner?
Click to expand...
I use a pair of LG Ergo 32 Inch UltraFine Displays (32UN880-B) and they work great. The have USB-C (for video), Display Port, and two HDMI inputs. They also have USB A which I connected to a small hub. This lets me plug my keyboard and mouse in.
 
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Vermifuge said:
I use a pair of LG Ergo 32 Inch UltraFine Displays (32UN880-B) and they work great. The have USB-C (for video), Display Port, and two HDMI inputs. They also have USB A which I connected to a small hub. This lets me plug my keyboard and mouse in.
Click to expand...
Does the Mac control them with the bright keyboard commands or no?
 
Vermifuge said:
I use a pair of LG Ergo 32 Inch UltraFine Displays (32UN880-B) and they work great. The have USB-C (for video), Display Port, and two HDMI inputs. They also have USB A which I connected to a small hub. This lets me plug my keyboard and mouse in.
Click to expand...
I have keyboard and magic track so no need for USB hub, indeed I would avoid to use "external" hubs

I use Barrier and I love it
 
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Homy said:
Maybe this?

It seems to only work with YCbCr though.
Click to expand...
Wow!! The KVM integrated on monitor is awesome, but I read (on amazon) "Dell Display Manager" isn't totally compatible with macOS so you need to switch using the controls on the monitor instead of the keyboard shortcut

thanks for this hint

EDIT: I found DDM is available for mac I hope it works as expected
 
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metapunk2077fail said:
Get one with two DisplayPorts/HDMI. Then get two USB-C to DisplayPort/HDMI cables.

The monitor will let you switch between inputs.
Click to expand...
I don't understand how do I "phisically" switch the computer? From mac keyboard (I would like very much) ? From monitor control panel (very annoying)
 
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dafi said:
I don't understand how do I "phisically" switch the computer? From mac keyboard (I would like very much) ? From monitor control panel (very annoying)
Click to expand...

From the monitor. Some monitors have the input switch on the front in easy place.
 
Homy said:
Maybe this?

It seems to only work with YCbCr though.
Click to expand...
Godspeed with that monitor. It is a Wide QHD monitor (so no HiDPI fonts and it will look just like plain QHD monitor regarding fonts!!!), only sRGB colors (I'd rather take DCI-P3 color monitors like what Apple uses) and YPbPr. Well the last issue is possible to solve with simple plist editing for pretty much any monitor. Anyway from my point of view that kind of monitor is world of pain with modern MacOS.

I know many peoples are happy without HiDPI fonts, so I'd say anyone who has not seen the difference between those two by themselves should try it before choosing between those two in case there is some reason why not go straight to 4k or above monitor. For me I tried everything for couple of months but fonts just looked terrible on QHD monitor and since I got 4k monitor I could not been happier.

BTW, BenQ has many factory calibrated color 4k monitors with KVM-switch both sRGB and DCI-P3 models
 
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0906742 said:
Godspeed with that monitor. It is a Wide QHD monitor (so no HiDPI fonts and it will look just like plain QHD monitor regarding fonts!!!), only sRGB colors (I'd rather take DCI-P3 color monitors like what Apple uses) and YPbPr. Well the last issue is possible to solve with simple plist editing for pretty much any monitor. Anyway from my point of view that kind of monitor is world of pain with modern MacOS.
Click to expand...
I like the idea of dell display manager I can't buy a 34" max 32" without discarding some 27"
what do you think about the Dell UltraSharp U2720Q?
 
0906742 said:
I actually bought two of them and returned both due to unacceptable picture and build quality for me before getting 32UN880-B.
Click to expand...
On my desk mounting the 32UN880-B's arm is a pain, damn finding monitor for M1 is so frustrating
 
Why not just get separate KVM-switch so that you could choose pretty much any monitor you find otherwise good and that would allow to switch between computers?
 
0906742 said:
Why not jus get separate KVM-switch so that you could choose pretty much any monitor you find otherwise good and that would allow to switch between computers?
Click to expand...
My desk space is limited so I want to minimize any 'box', hub or switch
 
dafi said:
On my desk mounting the 32UN880-B's arm is a pain
Click to expand...
But with that you actually would be more room for additional KVM-switch. Mounting plate takes only palm sized room. Is there some particular reason why mounting plate cannot be installed on your desk? I mean is there something in a way preventing either mounting method (edge of the desk or hole in the desk)?

damn finding monitor for M1 is so frustrating
Click to expand...
I think all this hard to find compatible monitor for M1 is just over-exaggerated in these forums. Pretty much any monitor with HDMI, DP or even USB-C input works, it is just that most people expect them to work in RGB mode automatically and I don't think many actually does so but pretty every monitor can be put in RGB mode with plist trick. I see some peoples are doing all kind of song and dance tricks putting them to RGB mode where is eventually still goes back to YPbPr in many cases when simple plist editing would have worked permanently.
 
0906742 said:
Is there some particular reason why mounting plate cannot be installed on your desk?
Click to expand...
The desk rear is closed by a panel so to attach an arm I must make an hole and some other reasons
0906742 said:
I think all this hard to find compatible monitor for M1 is just over-exaggerated in these forums. Pretty much any monitor with HDMI, DP or even USB-C input works, it is just that most people expect them to work in RGB mode automatically and I don't think many actually does so but pretty every monitor can be put in RGB mode with plist trick. I see some peoples are doing all kind of song and dance tricks putting them to RGB mode where is eventually still goes back to YPbPr in many cases when simple plist editing would have worked permanently.
Click to expand...
I want only a monitor to use with text editors, as developer I need big screen on text clear and visible (eg not too small)

EDIT : Obviously I need a way to switch quickly between two macs
 
dafi said:
The desk rear is closed by a panel so to attach an arm I must make an hole and some other reasons
Click to expand...
How about the sides of the desk? Because mounting plate does not need to be center of the desk, so depending on the desk size and desired monitor position that works too.

I want only a monitor to use with text editors, as developer I need big screen on text clear and visible (eg not too small)
Click to expand...
Then if you have no way to test non HiDPI fonts yourself before purchasing monitor, I'd say forget about under 4k monitors, they are world of pain in how fonts look if you care about that!

EDIT : Obviously I need a way to switch quickly between two macs
Click to expand...
BenQ?
 
0906742 said:
How about the sides of the desk? Because mounting plate does not need to be center of the desk, so depending on the desk size and desired monitor position that works too.
Click to expand...
Only the side where you enter the legs is open, believe me it is a really complicated
0906742 said:
Then if you have no way to test non HiDPI fonts yourself before purchasing monitor, I'd say forget about under 4k monitors, they are world of pain in how fonts look if you care about that!
Click to expand...
I'm starting to understand that...
0906742 said:
BenQ?
Click to expand...
Dell is the first choice but... Which BenQ model has kvm? Obviously 4k and 32"
 
dafi said:
Only the side where you enter the legs is open, believe me it is a really complicated
Click to expand...
I see. And drilling a hole is out of the question? It does not have to be a big hole, just enough that screw part fits through, so something like 0,5" or even less.

I'm starting to understand that...
Click to expand...
Yeah, definitely do not get non HiDPI monitor before you see it yourself.

Dell is the first choice but... Which BenQ model has kvm? Obviously 4k and 32"
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Yeah, Dell was my first choice too but honestly after testing 2 of them I just could not accept panel quality. My previous QHD monitor was Dell and it was excellent (except build quality with creaky stand was nothing to write home about) in picture quality. I had very low expectations with LG as brand but so far so good but I guess in durability Dell is a winner.
 
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0906742 said:
I see. And drilling a hole is out of the question? It does not have to be a big hole, just enough that screw part fits through, so something like 0,5" or even less.
Click to expand...
I prefer to pick another monitor
 
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