One screen, two devices)

Hello. I’m working from home and I have my home iMac (2020) and work MacBook. I can’t work all time on a small laptop screen, and I need use second monitor for it. Modern iMacs can’t be external monitor without ping delay and I decided to change my home iMac to monitor + Mac mini (or other MacBook). So I will have next setup: MacBook + Mac mini + common screen + common apple trackpad + common keyboard. How I need connect all of them, for easy using and easy switching from one to other ?

Posted on Dec 13, 2023 5:27 AM

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Posted on Dec 13, 2023 6:11 AM

I think you want a USB-C KVM. That will connect monitor/usb-keyboard to both Macs with a button press toggle rather than unplugging a hub from one computer before plugging it into the other.


The Apple Trackpad is trickier. Assuming it is a Trackpad 2 the best way may be to leave it connected to its lightning charger and have the charger also plugged into the KVM.

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Dec 13, 2023 6:11 AM in response to 4pok

I think you want a USB-C KVM. That will connect monitor/usb-keyboard to both Macs with a button press toggle rather than unplugging a hub from one computer before plugging it into the other.


The Apple Trackpad is trickier. Assuming it is a Trackpad 2 the best way may be to leave it connected to its lightning charger and have the charger also plugged into the KVM.

Dec 13, 2023 11:34 AM in response to 4pok

FWIW, I use a Startech KVM switch with a single monitor. It can support up to four computers for connectivity to that monitor. I also have a wireless mouse/keyboard combo (Logitech) that I can share with any of those computers as well.


In this case, wires would only be one for the monitor to the KVM, and one each for each computer.

Dec 13, 2023 8:14 AM in response to 4pok

I have an 27" asus monitor (got 2 hdmi and 1 dvi inpug connectors) it's connected to my work laptop my home windows pc and my mac mini

which input source it's displaying is controlled by a button on the monitor


I use a logitech keyboard and mouse which is bluetooth and has 3 buttons to switch between 3 devices

works pretty well

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One screen, two devices)

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