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MikeInBurlington

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Feb 2, 2025
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I was gifted a Mac M1 Studio and a Pro Display after a close friend passed away, I also have a windows 11 laptop and a second 32 inch curved monitor. Is there a way that anyone can know of that would allow me using A/B switches or something else to have both the Mac and the PC turned on and switch between the 2 devices and keep using the same keyboard and mouses, although i know i would lose the laptop screen?
 
Sorry about your friend. Can you be specific about "Pro Display"? Is it the 32" Apple Pro Display XDR?
Thank you, he had cancer for a long so it was actually a blessing. It is a 2022 vintage 27 inch pro display 5K I believe. Gorgeous picture, video powered by USB-C only no HDMI input.
 
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I was gifted a Mac M1 Studio and a Pro Display after a close friend passed away, I also have a windows 11 laptop and a second 32 inch curved monitor. Is there a way that anyone can know of that would allow me using A/B switches or something else to have both the Mac and the PC turned on and switch between the 2 devices and keep using the same keyboard and mouses, although i know i would lose the laptop screen?
My condolences about your friend. :(

You can use a KVM switch. I have one built in to my monitor, but you can buy them as a standalone and you don't lose the laptop's monitor.


Here's a buying guide from PC Mag but it is a couple of years old, so not sure if all the recommendations are still relevant:

 
My condolences about your friend. :(

You can use a KVM switch. I have one built in to my monitor, but you can buy them as a standalone and you don't lose the laptop's monitor.


Here's a buying guide from PC Mag but it is a couple of years old, so not sure if all the recommendations are still relevant:

sadly no, unless the KVM has powered USB C output, won't display the Pro display
 
sadly no, unless the KVM has powered USB C output, won't display the Pro display
I did a quick google search and there do appear to be KVM switches that would fit the bill but few are perfect:

 
I have sorted out part of the problem, the challenge is the apple display also has integrated camera and speakers and all manner of things as opposed to being a straight display like my curved Samsung which is only display, hence the extra power requirements. No idea how to turn those off on the apple display
 
I have sorted out part of the problem, the challenge is the apple display also has integrated camera and speakers and all manner of things as opposed to being a straight display like my curved Samsung which is only display, hence the extra power requirements. No idea how to turn those off on the apple display
Some of the links I posted talk about how to turn those off, I think it's setting it to display mode only or something like that.
 
Thanks everyone for the efforts, but after looking up powered KVM switches (with powered USB C outputs) would cost, I think i can swap a few cables once a few times a month and I'll just stick with the 3 monitor/Mac setup.....
 
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