I am about to have two iMacs on my desk - one for work, one personal. To save a little desk space, I would like to operate both iMacs with the same keyboard & mouse. It's my understanding that this can be accomplished with a KVM switch. I can apparently click a button on the KVM switcher to toggle from one iMac to the other and back. 1) Is this true? and 2) Can you recommend a nice Mac-compatible KVM switch?
transistorboy wrote:
1) Is this true?
Yes. That's how KVM switches work. That's their purpose. To switch between computers.
and 2) Can you recommend a nice Mac-compatible KVM switch?
Any KVM switch that has the appropriate connector, or using a correct adapter should work with a Mac.
For example:
click here ➜ UGREEN USB C Switch 2 Computers Share 4 USB 3.2 Ports, 10Gbps USB Switcher Selector - Amazon.com
or
Keith Barkley wrote:
Note that this only works with a *wired* keyboard/mouse.
True, and very important caveat.
This will not work with bluetooth keyboards and mice.
Yes & thank you. What I am discovering is that the best solution is probably a MULTI-DEVICE WIRELESS KEYBOARD and mouse. They can switch between three computers/devices. The only trouble is they never have fingerprint/Touch ID. (I would just use the wireless Apple keyboard & mouse that come with the iMac but in order for one K&M to operate two computers, both computers need to be signed into the same Apple ID)
Yes absolutely if I go the KVM switch route. Mouse would need to be wired, too, though, and I don't know if you can even buy a wired mouse anymore 🤣. I think going the wireless multi-device K&M is both the more "elegant" and the most cost effective way to go. Only problem is, these options don't have fingerprint Touch ID on their keyboards...
Note that this only works with a *wired* keyboard/mouse.
Shouldn't it work if the Apple Magic Keyboard is connected to the switch with its Firewire charging cable? It might need a Firewire to ??? adaptor depending on what the switch offers.
FWIW, you can buy wired mice.
Can I can operate two iMacs with a single keyboard & mouse using a KVM switch?
