How to share Keyboard and mouse between Macs?

[goro123]

Hi all,

TLDR; I would like advise on the best setting to quickly switch keyboard and mouse between 2 Macs.

I have one personal and one professional laptops at home, that I alternatively plug on my external display whenever I use one. Through the display cable the computer is also charged (and connect to a usb webcam plugged into the display). I have an apple bluetooth keyboard and a bluetooth mouse.

I tried Apple's continuity to share mouse and keyboard but it is soooo unstable for me (disconnects every 15min). That would have been ideal but it's not working well enough.

I am thinking that I need to buy specific mouse and keyboard that support multiple device any suggestions ?

Thanks !

 

[tensixturtle]

If I understand correctly, you alternate between using the Macs but are not using them at the same time. If that is the case, have you considered using a KVM switch and either a wired USB keyboard/mouse or wireless one that connects with a USB dongle? You can also connect the USB webcam into the KVM switch. Depending on how much you are willing to spend, I believe some KVM switches come with power delivery over USB-C.

 

[goro123]

If I understand correctly, you alternate between using the Macs but are not using them at the same time. If that is the case, have you considered using a KVM switch and either a wired USB keyboard/mouse or wireless one that connects with a USB dongle? You can also connect the USB webcam into the KVM switch. Depending on how much you are willing to spend, I believe some KVM switches come with power delivery over USB-C.

Ah yes exactly. So I need either wired devices or wireless with usb dongle… ok I'll check it out. Obviously I guess bluetooth wouldn't work in that setup.

Do you have a KVM switch to recommend?

Thanks!

 

[goro123]

So I ended up plugging my devices into the usb ports of the display. The Apple Keyboard is "wired" with its lightning cable and the mouse uses its wireless usb dongle.

Seems like an obvious solution now… It's not as slick as using a wireless keyboard, but it's so much more convenient.

An other ideal solution would be a bluetooth hub/KVM but I guess this is not technically easy to implement.

Thanks!

 

[tensixturtle]

Oops, your reply came in just before I finished mine! I'll leave it here anyways, but I'm glad you found a solution that works for you.

Personally I use my KVM switch with my servers and stuff so I bought a fairly cheap one (~$20) on Amazon with the most basic features. I assume you are looking for something nicer than that, so I wouldn't be able to personally recommend one specifically to you.

By the way, as you might know there are wireless keyboard/mouse combos that use a single USB receiver that can be nice, so as to not take up two ports on your KVM. I like using my Logitech combo and the Unifying Receiver with my KVM. Depending on your budget, there are Mac-specific layout versions that Logitech makes, such as MX Keys and Mouse. Those come with the Logi Bolt Receiver, and they even have Bluetooth switching (although I've never tried it)

 

[goro123]

Oops, your reply came in just before I finished mine! I'll leave it here anyways, but I'm glad you found a solution that works for you.

Personally I use my KVM switch with my servers and stuff so I bought a fairly cheap one (~$20) on Amazon with the most basic features. I assume you are looking for something nicer than that, so I wouldn't be able to personally recommend one specifically to you.

By the way, as you might know there are wireless keyboard/mouse combos that use a single USB receiver that can be nice, so as to not take up two ports on your KVM. I like using my Logitech combo and the Unifying Receiver with my KVM. Depending on your budget, there are Mac-specific layout versions that Logitech makes, such as MX Keys and Mouse. Those come with the Logi Bolt Receiver, and they even have Bluetooth switching (although I've never tried it)

Thanks for your insights. Somehow I was stuck thinking bluetooth was the better solution, but apparently USB receivers can perform better than Bluetooth.

Glad to have my workspace working perfectly now : Display connected to Mac with USB-C (providing display, power, and USB devices), devices connected to the display USB ports (webcam, keyboard, mouse). So when working on a computer all I need is to plug in the usb-c display cable. Neat.