I'm looking to streamline my home setup with a KVM switch that will allow me to easily switch between my PC and a MacBook Pro that I'm planning to buy soon. I currently have a powerful PC with a Cooler Master H500 case, a Gigabyte Z590 motherboard, Intel i7-10th Gen CPU, NVIDIA RTX 3070 Ti GPU, and two monitors. My goal is to have the capability to switch all my peripherals—including keyboard, mouse, and sound—between the two devices with just a single cable connection to my MacBook. I also want to integrate Bluetooth devices without the fuss of reconnecting them each time. Lastly, I'm considering whether to upgrade my current rig or start fresh, and I'm curious if I should keep my monitors or switch to a wide monitor setup for gaming and coding. Any recommendations on KVM switches and monitor options would be greatly appreciated!
3 Answers
You might want to check out monitors that come with built-in KVM switches, like the Acer Nitro XV275U which supports power delivery. It'll help simplify your setup! Just a heads up, if you're using a second monitor, it might complicate your wiring a bit. Companies like TESmart and Level1Techs make solid, albeit pricier, options for KVM switches too, or you could find a standard one on Amazon that meets DisplayPort 1.4 standards. Just make sure you plan on getting a USB-C dock for your MacBook for smooth transitions!
As for your current rig, your CPU still has decent performance, but the RTX 3070 Ti may be hitting its limits with newer titles. If your system isn't performing well, it could be worth checking for any aged components. Upgrading might be beneficial, but it also depends on your budget and future needs. You could always sell the old parts and invest in new ones from China! Regarding monitors, wide screens can be great for both coding and gaming, so consider that before deciding!
Unfortunately, Bluetooth devices aren’t compatible with KVM switches. They typically connect to one PC at a time, meaning that switching KVMs will require reconnecting your Bluetooth devices. Your best bet is to stick with wired peripherals or ones that come with a special wireless dongle. If you’re looking to use your iPad as a second display, keep in mind it connects as a USB device and might not work well with KVMs. Using a Thunderbolt dock to facilitate the connections sounds like a solid plan! KVMs tend to be pretty basic, acting like you're manually unplugging and replugging your devices.
Could you elaborate on what you mean by KVM quality? I've been looking at some options like UGREEN, but they seem quite similar to me.