Do KVM switches work well? (using MacBook pro with *gasp* windows pc's)

[SHNXX]

I just learned about these "KVM" switches that help you switch keyboard, video (monitor) and mouse without unplugging anything by toggling switches.

It sounds really nifty but it seems like Amazon reviews have a lot of crap, which suggests they may not work as well as I was hoping.

Does anyone here use their MacBook pro with these? Any specific models that you'd recommend?

 

[Sporkyy]

I use the 1.4 Display Port KVM Switch - Single Monitor - Two Computer from Level1 Techs with the CalDigit TS3 Plus dock and a "Gaming" PC and it works very well.

My only complaints are small annoyances.

• The button to switch between computers is hard to see in poor lighting.
  • But you figure out where it is
• There is light bleed between the indicators for each computer.
  • But it's not too bright at least (and not that annoying blue LED)

It's a more expensive option, but I had already used a cheaper KVM I bought from Amazon that kept having issues. I was frustrated and really just wanted something that worked.

 

[bobcomer]

Yes, they work well if you don't cheap out and plan ahead for what kind of video you want to share. I use a KVM with my Windows PC, Windows laptop, Intel Mac Mini, and M1 MBA. (with HDMI as the video type.)

The M1 MBA is the only one with problems, it has the same flickering problem with dark colors as the M1 Mac Mini plugged straight into the monitor. There's threads about that...

 

[Radnor]

There's a software solution you can check out: Synergy

 

[bobcomer]

There's a software solution you can check out: Synergy

That's more for multiple monitors, not sharing one monitor, but it's a really cool thing to have.

 

[tyrone841]

I have a Philips Widescreen monitor with a KVM switch built in, using a single USB C cable to the MacBook Pro.

Sometimes when I switch from my work Windows lapotp to my mac, the inputs (mouse, keyboard, webcam that are plugged into the monitor) are not successfully transferred to the mac. Once I unplug and replug the USB-C cable, everything works as expected. When I switch back to Windows, everything seems to work perfectly fine every time though.

But sometimes, things just work as expected with the Mac as well. So I'm not sure who's responsible. But the problem is not bothering me enough to invest more time in it.