Connect monitor to desktop and macbook pro simulataneously

[vader1990]

Hi folks,

I have a somewhat complicated question, and I couldn't figure out what exactly to search on Google.

At work I have a desktop workstation, and a 13'' retina macbook pro. I carry the macbook pro to and from work because I need to use it at night, weekends, etc. I have two external monitors connected to the workstation at work (Dell ultrasharps).

I want a system as follows: when I arrive at work, and I connect my macbook pro 13 to one of these monitors, it should automatically disconnect that one monitor from the workstation, and the workstation should continue to use the other monitor. I can sort of do this right now, when I switch the inputs manually on the monitor to mDP instead of HDMI. However, it would be nice if this was automatic. Second, even when I switch the one monitor from HDMI --> mDP, the workstation (running linux) continues to think that it has that monitor connected, and everything is really weird (as you can imagine). I need the functionality of both the mac and the linux box sometimes b/c I often need to check processing, etc. on the box, and the other monitor makes that difficult, and its unacceptable to keep pushing buttons to change inputs.

I understand why this happens, I just want to know how to fix it. I'm happy to buy some sort of adapter if necessary.

Any suggestions?

Thanks so much.

 

[Mernak]

Yeah, this is a pretty common among the desktop+laptop work setups, and one that doesn't exactly have a great solution.

The core issue is that most monitors only allow automatic connection switching when there is only 1 video input, but in this case, your desktop is providing an input before you connect your laptop, so it thinks that it should stay on the current input channel.

I think the best solution for this is using a KVM switch on that particular monitor, and having the other one connected directly to your desktop. The KVM switch can usually be quickly switched between the computers with a double-press of one of the function buttons on the keyboard, and that will actually make your desktop think that you disconnected it, so you shouldn't wind up with a weird configuration. It's might not be exactly what you want, as you wind up with these two configurations possible

* Desktop{1 monitor, no keyboard, no mouse} Laptop{1 monitor, keyboard, mouse}
* Desktop{2 monitors, keyboard, mouse} Laptop{}

You can attach a keyboard and mouse directly to your desktop if you wanted, that way you could actively work on both easily, but you wind up with two keyboard/mouse sets or not being able to quick switch the KVM.

Honestly, as a software developer (I'm guessing that is your job, based on the description) that's had similar setups, I just switched to using my laptop for everything at my desk, and then remoting in to the desktop every day.

 

[snaky69]

Hi folks,

I have a somewhat complicated question, and I couldn't figure out what exactly to search on Google.

At work I have a desktop workstation, and a 13'' retina macbook pro. I carry the macbook pro to and from work because I need to use it at night, weekends, etc. I have two external monitors connected to the workstation at work (Dell ultrasharps).

I want a system as follows: when I arrive at work, and I connect my macbook pro 13 to one of these monitors, it should automatically disconnect that one monitor from the workstation, and the workstation should continue to use the other monitor. I can sort of do this right now, when I switch the inputs manually on the monitor to mDP instead of HDMI. However, it would be nice if this was automatic. Second, even when I switch the one monitor from HDMI --> mDP, the workstation (running linux) continues to think that it has that monitor connected, and everything is really weird (as you can imagine). I need the functionality of both the mac and the linux box sometimes b/c I often need to check processing, etc. on the box, and the other monitor makes that difficult, and its unacceptable to keep pushing buttons to change inputs.

I understand why this happens, I just want to know how to fix it. I'm happy to buy some sort of adapter if necessary.

Any suggestions?

Thanks so much.

You need a KVM switch, but even then it won't be as seamless as you'd like.