I have a Mac Studio M4 & a Mac Mini M4 and two Mac Studio Displays. I want to be able to use my monitors with both computers and my Mac keyboard & mouse, switching between the two. What’s the best KVM switch to use or is there a better way?
Mac Studio, macOS 26.3
Yes, I'm aware USB-C is a plug shape, not a particular connection protocol. But Thunderbolt is compatible with DisplayPort. The M4 mini discussed here provides this support:
Thunderbolt 4 digital video output
Support for native DisplayPort 1.4 output over USB-C
An M4 Pro mini supports this:
Thunderbolt 5 digital video output
Support for native DisplayPort 2.1 output over USB‑C
When I had a KVM set up to use both an M2 Pro mini (and later my current M4 Pro mini), along with a 2010 mini to drive an older scanner, I used this cable.
But, I finally see what you mean. You weren't talking about an issue with a KVM or the M4 Macs, you mean the Apple Studio Display monitor itself. Then yes, looking again just now, I also cannot find any reference where you can use any type of DisplayPort cable. It must be Thunderbolt.
That really limits what type of KVM you could use. And I don't think I've ever seen a Thunderbolt KVM. You can find a few where the two inputs are USB-C (maybe Thunderbolt?), but they're all DisplayPort and/or HDMI out.
Would it be possible to use a KVM only for the keyboard/mouse (and maybe also share the audio), but have each Mac run its own Thunderbolt cable to the two video inputs on the Studio Display, then choose which computer signal you want at the monitor? I don't know if there are any soft keys on the monitor to do that.
I agree, it's expensive. But the OP is looking for a switch that will work with their Studio Display, so I posted a link.
There's a very deep review on the SB-TB4K Thunderbolt switch here:
https://dancharblog.wordpress.com/2023/07/13/sabrent-thunderbolt-4-kvm-dock-teardown-and-review/
Lots of info on the way the board is built and such, but the main point is at the bottom. Being a first of its kind (as far as I can tell), Dan strongly recommends the devices you connect are all Thunderbolt certified, or it may not work. That, and switching time for the monitor is slow. 5 seconds would be fast. Most users report waiting 10-15 seconds for a Studio Display to finally show the computer you switched to.
Basically, make sure you can return the switch if it doesn't work for you.
I've used a KVM switch with a couple of different EIZO monitors, using DisplayPort (or DisplayPort to Thunderbolt) cables.
But, as woodmeister50 has noted, you can't do that with an Apple Studio Display as it only has one port on the monitor for input. The other is an output for daisy-chaining to another monitor.
No DisplayPort cable of any kind will work with the Studio Display. Thunderbolt only.
Per above, this is the only KVM I could find that will supposedly work with a Studio Display. And I have no way to confirm or test this. I can only go by the product description and a few reviews given by users who have one.
https://www.microcenter.com/product/669931/Thunderbolt_4_KVM_Switch?storeID=045
Kurt Lang wrote:....
Would it be possible to use a KVM only for the keyboard/mouse (and maybe also share the audio), but have each Mac run its own Thunderbolt cable to the two video inputs on the Studio Display, then choose which computer signal you want at the monitor? I don't know if there are any soft keys on the monitor to do that.
The inputs on the Studio Display are Thunderbolt Ports. One is used as a Thunderbolt input and the second is a Thunderbolt output to be used to daisy chain Thunderbolt compatible devices. They cannot be both used as inputs.
I've used StarTech KVMs in the past. They work, but they're expensive. And I don't see one on their site that supports anything higher than a 4K signal.
Do not use any KVM with HDMI ports. This is a TV signal, not meant for computer monitors.
The most difficult part here is KVM switches have maximum resolution support circuitry. Finding a KVM that will support 5K or higher video will limit your choices. Not impossible, just not a lot of them to choose from.
Sound is also a problem. Virtually all KVMs I could find that support 5K or better use DisplayPort. Which is fine for since DisplayPort can carry both video and audio. But!, most KVMs don't have an audio out so sound can also switch from each computer plugged into the KVM. This assuming you're using wired external speakers. Otherwise, you'd need a Bluetooth speaker set that can connect to more than one computer.
That all aside, I did find a few that can support a 5K or better video signal. They all use DisplayPort, so you'd also need to purchase three separate Thunderbolt to DisplayPort cables. One for each computer to the KVM, and one out from the KVM to the Studio Display. Make sure to get cables that have better than 4K support. There are several 8K cables shown in the link.
Here's a few KVMs that should work:
UGREEN 8K@60Hz Displayport KVM Switch 2 Monitors 2 Computers
8K@60Hz KVM Switch 2 Monitors 2 Computers DisplayPort
This next UGREEN model has USB-C and DisplayPort inputs for the computers. But the USB-C ports are data only. They do not support video.
UGREEN 8K Displayport KVM Switch
One thing that the OP has not mentioned is which generation Studio Display they have. The Studio Display label has been used for very old Apple displays and revived with the two newest Apple Displays.
Assuming he has the latest or previous generation, they have Thunderbolt inputs which are totally incompatible for use with any KVM. Also, I have never seen any "Thunderbolt switches" and doubt that the technology would even be "switch friendly"
So, the discussion of HDMI based solutions is moot.
If they are the very much older Studio Displays, i.e. pre-Thunderbolt Display or Cinema Display, they would have the Apple Display connection which is a modified DVI interface. While DVI can be converted from HDMI, whether a switch would work remains to be seen.
A USB-C interface does not define the device interface.
The interface on the newly released Apple Studio Display is a Thunderbolt 5 port and must be connected to a Thunderbolt source. It does not have USB-C with Display Port capability. This is also true of the Apple Studio Display which the new one replaced which is a Thunderbolt 3 interface.
Neither display has any Display Port over USB-C capability.
I take that back. I found one (and only one).
https://sabrent.com/blogs/video-blog/sabrent-thunderbolt-4-kvm-switch-everything-you-need
And unsurprisingly, not cheap!
https://www.microcenter.com/product/669931/Thunderbolt_4_KVM_Switch?storeID=045
I found a PDF of the manual, and it appears you can share a mouse and keyboard on the USB-A ports.
I dan't recommend and KVM switch as I've never used one but a quick search found these:
There are many more on Amazon.com for you to do your due diligence.
they have Thunderbolt inputs which are totally incompatible for use with any KVM.
There shouldn't be any such problem. While I do use a USB-C to USB-C cable that came with my EIZO monitor, I can also use a DisplayPort to USB-C cable with my M4 Pro mini. The double-ended USB-C cable just makes it easier to connect the monitor since using one with a DisplayPort plug means I also have to connect a separate USB cable so the included profiling software can talk to the monitor.
$399 is a lot of money for the convenience of switching and are there other foibles with switching Studio Displays with a Thunderbolt interface between Macs that the Mac hardware or even macOS may not like.
Could you help me understand this? I have two MacBooks and I want to share one Apple studio monitor. Are you suggesting that I can do this with a display port to USB-C adapter cable? You've done this?
Well, that stops any further investigation. With only one input, a Thunderbolt KVM would be required, and I could find no such thing.
KVM for Mac Studio/Mini with Studio Displays
