I have a laptop connected to one monitor and a desktop PC connected to another. I want each monitor to keep displaying its own computer, but I'd like to quickly switch the mouse and keyboard between the laptop and PC without changing the video inputs. What hardware or software would work for this?
3 Answers
You can also use a multi-device wireless keyboard and mouse. Many models pair with a USB receiver plus multiple Bluetooth devices, and a button on the keyboard or mouse switches between computers.
A KVM switch should work, as long as you choose one that supports switching USB peripherals independently of the video outputs. That lets both monitors stay connected to their respective computers while the mouse and keyboard toggle between them.
A software-based option is Synergy, which shares one keyboard and mouse across computers. You move the pointer to the edge of one screen to control the other computer, so each monitor can remain connected to its own system. Microsoft’s Mouse Without Borders, included with PowerToys, is another free option for compatible Windows computers.
Synergy works like a software KVM and is convenient when both computers are on the same network, though a physical USB switch may be more reliable for gaming or when one computer is locked.
I had assumed a KVM always switched the display too, but I’ll look for one with separate USB peripheral switching.