Wanted: KVM Switch for 2 M2 Macs and 2 Monitors

I am try trying to connect a M2 Mac Studio and M2 Mac Mini to 2 Mac Studio monitors. I would like the switch to include the correct ports with need for cabling experiments.


Is there any progress on this space in 2025? Thank you.



Posted on Feb 23, 2025 7:39 AM

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Posted on Feb 25, 2025 7:21 AM

the Mac Studio Display requires a DIRECT ThunderBolt connection, or a setup that provide the equivalent Thunderbolt connection over appropriately short cables The typical cable length allowed between Hubs or Devices at these data rates is 0.5 meters or less for each length of cable.


You can extend the individual cable lengths by using ACTIVE ThunderBolt cables, which have drivers in the cable. These typically convert to Fiber Optic for the length of the cable, then back to electronic signaling at the far end. Costs are typically over US$150 per cable.


If you are NOT doing Full-motion Video or equivalent, there are several way to make a connection with lower data demands. But these may not be the solution you were looking for either.


Continuity, including Airplay, is the first that comes to mind. but remember you will be using your Wi-Fi network for most of this data, and that may be overwhelming AND you don't get two devices using this method, because it requires the video data compressor/decompressor Hardware to be fully involved in squeezing the data down to fit over a narrow Wi-Fi 'pipe', then puffing it up again at the receiving end.


Screen sharing is another feature that can be used to share your main screen into a window on a different Mac. this uses your network as well, but if you have a faster ethernet connection, this feature can be more responsive and less taxing than just using Wi-Fi.


[In my opinion] you would be FAR better served by using none of this and just buying an additional display for the Mini.

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Feb 25, 2025 7:21 AM in response to ZzyzxOh

the Mac Studio Display requires a DIRECT ThunderBolt connection, or a setup that provide the equivalent Thunderbolt connection over appropriately short cables The typical cable length allowed between Hubs or Devices at these data rates is 0.5 meters or less for each length of cable.


You can extend the individual cable lengths by using ACTIVE ThunderBolt cables, which have drivers in the cable. These typically convert to Fiber Optic for the length of the cable, then back to electronic signaling at the far end. Costs are typically over US$150 per cable.


If you are NOT doing Full-motion Video or equivalent, there are several way to make a connection with lower data demands. But these may not be the solution you were looking for either.


Continuity, including Airplay, is the first that comes to mind. but remember you will be using your Wi-Fi network for most of this data, and that may be overwhelming AND you don't get two devices using this method, because it requires the video data compressor/decompressor Hardware to be fully involved in squeezing the data down to fit over a narrow Wi-Fi 'pipe', then puffing it up again at the receiving end.


Screen sharing is another feature that can be used to share your main screen into a window on a different Mac. this uses your network as well, but if you have a faster ethernet connection, this feature can be more responsive and less taxing than just using Wi-Fi.


[In my opinion] you would be FAR better served by using none of this and just buying an additional display for the Mini.

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Feb 25, 2025 10:59 AM in response to ZzyzxOh

Apple Remote Desktop is Utility for administering the software and setups for a flock of local computers, such as for a small business or a computer lab.


My suggestion was to try Sharing > Screen Sharing, which works across many Macs and is free.


Maybe if you already bought Apple Remote Desktop it has similar features, but that was not what I was recommending.

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Feb 23, 2025 10:51 AM in response to OldGoat67

I could not find models that connected to a Mac Studio display without buying an adapter cable, and most are intended to switch a laptop as one of the hosts, but I will look at both brands in more detail, rather than just checking retailers.


Thank you.

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Feb 25, 2025 10:22 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks for that detailed response. It is extremely helpful. Once I mapped out the cables needed for this, I came to a similar conclusion.


At the moment I one screen connected to each computer and I use a cheap USB switch to move back and forth.


I have had issues trying to use Apple Remote Desktop to access the Mimi because some “game” applications cause the mouse to go insane, zooming wildly and out of control on any movement at all. That was avoidable by using Bluetooth but that felt pretty sloppy to me.


i will halt the effort to find a decent Thunderbolt KVM now and focus more on field of use for each machine so ARD will be satisfactory and limit my remote access to the single screen.


Thank you for taking the time to respond. You saved me a ton of time and effort and product returns.

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Feb 26, 2025 7:31 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

I set up Screen Sharing between the two machines. I had to disable Remote Management to do this.


I connected using the Screen Sharing utility app and tested both Standard and High Performance using a VRML Viewer. This is the toughest test case, I know.


Under Apple Remote Desktop (ARD) there was an issue with in-viewer camera control as option+left click mouse drag was extremely accelerated as if toggled to an extreme distance immediately. The same behavior is exhibited with Screen Sharing.


This is the behavior that sent me looking at Bluetooth input devices and physical video switches.


Maybe the question is how is the Mouse control shared. And why would it behave badly in a graphics-based app?

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Wanted: KVM Switch for 2 M2 Macs and 2 Monitors

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