Looking at LG ultrafine 4K for M2 MBA, but need to hook a windows laptop up as well

[thecautioners]

Howdy I have been back and forth for WEEKS debating which computer to buy and I think I’ve settled on a refurb 24gb/1TB M2 MBA. Ideally I’d like to get the LG ultrafine for it but I am looking for WFH jobs and will likely need to hook a windows laptop up to it as well; unless a company supplies me with a computer, I have one with just an hdmi port.

I see Amazon has hdmi to usbc adapters. Is it really that easy? MBA connected via usbc, windows connected via hdmi to usbc? Alternatively, are there any other quality monitors (same price point ish) that would work better for my situation?

Until recently I did not expect to have a desk setup; however, what I really need health-wise is a WFH job; I have a partner moving out this summer and I will take over her desk space at that time. Until then I will just have to use part of her desk. I have zero knowledge about monitors and desk setups because it’s a newer development in my life 😅 I’m open to any and all suggestions if my idea isn’t a good one!

 

[cthompson94]

It should be that easy as that is all I do (don't have the LG ultrafine 4k), I just change the input source and the monitor switches over. I actually even have my monitor HDMI connected to a HDMI switcher for either my PC or Nintendo Switch and all three work no problem.

Edit: Adding that maybe someone with specifically a LG Ultrafine can chime in, but I imagine it would be the same as long as you can switch inputs via the monitor

 

[thecautioners]

It should be that easy as that is all I do (don't have the LG ultrafine 4k), I just change the input source and the monitor switches over. I actually even have my monitor HDMI connected to a HDMI switcher for either my PC or Nintendo Switch and all three work no problem.

Edit: Adding that maybe someone with specifically a LG Ultrafine can chime in, but I imagine it would be the same as long as you can switch inputs via the monitor

Thanks! “Switch inputs via the monitor” is something I don’t know how to do currently, so that’s why I’m here for all the advice I can get. My last new computer was a 2013 MBP so it’s been a minute!

 

[cthompson94]

Thanks! “Switch inputs via the monitor” is something I don’t know how to do currently, so that’s why I’m here for all the advice I can get. My last new computer was a 2013 MBP so it’s been a minute!

I found a write up about the LG 27UK850-W with the following:

"
The USB-C port works as advertised, at least with my 2019 iMac and my 2016 MacBook Pro. I plugged the included cable into both machines and the picture popped up almost instantly. A nice feature of the LG 27UK850-W is that it prompts you to switch to the appropriate input when it detects a new device; just click the joystick to switch over. When my 13-inch MacBook Pro is connected to the monitor through USB-C, the monitor keeps the laptop charged.

DisplayPort also works as it should. I get full 4K 60 Hz video output and audio passthrough.

HDMI, as always, is thorny. My Apple TV 4K connected to the LG 27UK850-W beautifully, with full 4K and HDR right away. I decided to connect my iMac to the monitor through HDMI, to leave the monitor’s DisplayPort open for my ThinkPad and its USB-C port for my MacBook Pro. However, the iMac doesn’t have HDMI output, and none of my USB-C hubs support 4K output. I ended up buying an inexpensive Anker USB-C to HDMI adapter, which works fine with full 4K 60 Hz output."


So it looks like you should be able to have the possible PC and Mac connected, they even uploaded an image of the menu screen where you can see input and they used all of them.

 

[thecautioners]

I found a write up about the LG 27UK850-W with the following:

"
The USB-C port works as advertised, at least with my 2019 iMac and my 2016 MacBook Pro. I plugged the included cable into both machines and the picture popped up almost instantly. A nice feature of the LG 27UK850-W is that it prompts you to switch to the appropriate input when it detects a new device; just click the joystick to switch over. When my 13-inch MacBook Pro is connected to the monitor through USB-C, the monitor keeps the laptop charged.

DisplayPort also works as it should. I get full 4K 60 Hz video output and audio passthrough.

HDMI, as always, is thorny. My Apple TV 4K connected to the LG 27UK850-W beautifully, with full 4K and HDR right away. I decided to connect my iMac to the monitor through HDMI, to leave the monitor’s DisplayPort open for my ThinkPad and its USB-C port for my MacBook Pro. However, the iMac doesn’t have HDMI output, and none of my USB-C hubs support 4K output. I ended up buying an inexpensive Anker USB-C to HDMI adapter, which works fine with full 4K 60 Hz output."


So it looks like you should be able to have the possible PC and Mac connected, they even uploaded an image of the menu screen where you can see input and they used all of them.

ahhh this is perfect thank you so much! It looks like it should work beautifully for me. If I have a Mighty Mouse and Magic Keyboard would those switch seamlessly between the PC and MBA? Wireless keyboards etc are also out of my area of expertise.

 

[cthompson94]

ahhh this is perfect thank you so much! It looks like it should work beautifully for me. If I have a Mighty Mouse and Magic Keyboard would those switch seamlessly between the PC and MBA? Wireless keyboards etc are also out of my area of expertise.

This one, someone else may have to chime in as I have never used the magic keyboard and mouse with my PC. If I needed to swap it is for gaming and I would swap the keyboard and mouse. I can't see them not working the only thing I am not sure is if you would have to re-pair the Bluetooth constantly. I know I do have a Logitech mouse that I use for traveling since it is small and it has a button on the side to swap between 1-3 connections that are stored in the mouse for quick switching.

I actually just remembered (sorry didn't want to delete my previous text), I have actually tried using the keyboard with my PC and if memory serves correctly Bluetooth in the keyboard didn't want to swap easily and I ended up having to connect the keyboard via lightning-usb and it was fine.

 

[thecautioners]

This one, someone else may have to chime in as I have never used the magic keyboard and mouse with my PC. If I needed to swap it is for gaming and I would swap the keyboard and mouse. I can't see them not working the only thing I am not sure is if you would have to re-pair the Bluetooth constantly. I know I do have a Logitech mouse that I use for traveling since it is small and it has a button on the side to swap between 1-3 connections that are stored in the mouse for quick switching.

I actually just remembered (sorry didn't want to delete my previous text), I have actually tried using the keyboard with my PC and if memory serves correctly Bluetooth in the keyboard didn't want to swap easily and I ended up having to connect the keyboard via lightning-usb and it was fine.

Thanks! As long as there’s a workaround for it I am fine. And so far, my best job prospects happen to allow macOS, which makes me super happy… this windows machine that I have is painfully underpowered so I’d rather not use it.

 

[PhoenixDown]

If you are looking for a keyboard and mouse that you can easily switch between multiple computers, then look at the logitech MX Keys (or MX keys for mac) and MX MASTER 3S (or MX MASTER 3S for mac)

 

[enc0re]

If you are looking for a keyboard and mouse that you can easily switch between multiple computers, then look at the logitech MX Keys (or MX keys for mac) and MX MASTER 3S (or MX MASTER 3S for mac)

This is the setup that I use to switch between Windows and Mac. Each device comes with a USB dongle. You use Logi Options+ to pair both devices to one dongle and then put one dongle in each computer. At least I do, because I prefer dongle connections over Bluetooth.

Switching between devices takes three clicks. Function row on the keyboard to switch, button on the bottom of the mouse to switch, and then Fn+O/P to switch between Mac and Windows keyboard layouts. That's the good.

The bad is that I don't like the keyboard (MX Keys Mechanical Mini) and Mouse (MX Master 3S) all that much. The keyboard keys are wobbly. And long term, Logitech does not sell replacement keycaps, either individually or a whole set. So if you break a key or it's too worn for your taste, there's nothing you can do.

The mouse has two scrollwheels (which is nice) that you can switch between continuous and clicky. But they are picky about scroll speed. If you go too fast, they freewheel or skip. You have to be deliverate and slow in scrolling. Also the hardware does a lot of dozing, presumably to save battery. So sometimes you need to press a key or wiggle the mouse to get action. It might be laggy for a few seconds before it catches itself, etc. Just a sum of small annoyances that make it a very not-premium experience.

 

[thecautioners]

My issue with a Logitech keyboard is that I need something relatively quiet; if I happen to be working late hours, my partner will be sleeping in bed next to my desk. I also REALLY want that Touch ID haha

 

[xraydoc]

My issue with a Logitech keyboard is that I need something relatively quiet; if I happen to be working late hours, my partner will be sleeping in bed next to my desk. I also REALLY want that Touch ID haha

The Apple keyboards (nor mice/trackpads) do not support bluetooth connections to more than one computer at a time*.

If you need a keyboard that can connect to more than one computer and switch between them, you'll need to look at brands other than Apple.

*There is a workaround for the keyboards, and that's to use it in wired mode and connect it to either a physical KVM switch, a monitor that has a built-in KVM switch, or manually swap cables. Apple keyboards will work in non-bluetooth wired mode when connected with a lightning cable, and will work on a PC as well this way (though the Windows and Alt keys will be swapped). This may or may not be an option for you, depending on how you plan on setting things up.

 

[Wahlstrm]

I recently bought 2x LG Ultrafine 4K on sale, 2 for 1 basically.

Works well with my old 2018 MacBookPro, only real flaw (for me) is that I can only use the speakers in one of them at a time. Would be great if left monitor could be left speaker and right monitor the right speaker.

But it doesn’t seem to be possible.

They’re not ideal for Windows use since they’re designed to be controlled from the Mac and have no buttons.

When I wfh on a PC laptop the charging don’t seem to work as well either.

I think it can change the Mac up to 60w but the Dell laptop from work only recognise it as a 15W charger and gives me frequent pop up messages about slow charging.

Picture is just as good regardless of Mac, PC or iPad..

HDMI is not an option, only USB-C/TB devices.