Setup dual computers and dual monitors?

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Level 1

5 points

Setup dual computers and dual monitors?

I have tried to figure this out. However, I am still confused about the best and simplest solution for my NEW work-from-home environment. I will share my configuration needs, but start by stating I am an all-Apple Mac environment. I thought I was reasonably tech savvy, but I can't figure out the right way to configure this.

At the most basic level, I would like to easily switch the dual monitors between the MacBook for work and the Mac Mini for personal/home use and, if possible, only use a single keyboard and trackpad/mouse. The webcam is nearly 100% for Work, so that is not an issue.

And in a perfect situation, I would like to use the dual monitors and the MacBook with the lid/display open and have the laptop monitor as a 3rd, be it smaller, monitor.

I have the following:

1. 2021 MacBook Pro - M1 Pro - for WORK USE. With three Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports and 1 HDMI port

2. 2020 Mac Mini M1 - for HOME USE. With two Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports and 1 HDMI port and One display with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz connected via Thunderbolt and one display with up to 4K resolution at 60Hz connected via HDMI

3. One - 27" BenQ EL2870U

4. One - 27" BenQ EL2870U

5. Apple Wireless Keyboard

6. Apple Wireless Trackpad

7. Apple Wireless Mouse

8. Logitech USB Web Cam

I am hoping someone can help me simplify a solution.

MacBook Pro Apple Silicon

Posted on Sep 24, 2022 02:17 PM

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Answer 1

Sep 25, 2022 05:49 AM in response to iLuckman

One issue, with shared wireless input devices, you will need to make sure that either:

The one computer that is not used at the moment is turned off.
The wireless devices are un-paired or otherwise disabled on the computer not currently in use.

The reason is that actions on one computer may inadvertently trigger an unintended action on the

other computer.

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Answer 2

Sep 24, 2022 09:05 PM in response to iLuckman

You need something like a two port dual monitor KVM switch. However, you need to make sure that the input ports coming from the computers will accept both HDMI and USB C to get video signals for both monitors. I'm using a TESmart KVM to switch between a Mac mini and a PC, driving an MSI monitor via HDMI, and an old Apple Cinema display using an adapter to go from the DVI plug to USB C.

You may have trouble with the wireless keyboard and mouse, just because KVMs are usually expecting wired ones. I've settled on a Logitech MX Master 3 for Mac mouse, but since you're switching from one Mac to another, you mileage may work better, or you may just have to disconnect and reconnect the wireless stuff to each Mac as you switch.

If you have any doubts, contact TESmart and talk with them about what may work best for you. There are other KVMs out there, just a happy customer of TESmart.

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Answer 3

Rudegar

Level 10

178,860 points

Sep 25, 2022 02:30 AM in response to iLuckman

I have 1 27" asus monitor (2 hdmi 1 dvi and 1 subD connector) 1 24" dell monitor (dvi connector) 2 samsung 17" monitor (dvi and subd connectors)

all free are connected to my windows pc so it can use 4 monitors

1 samsung and 1 asus monitors are connected to my mac mini using hdmi to dvi and tunderbolt to dvi connectors

on the samsung and asus monitors I can choose active input source to switch between my xbox one, my windows pc and the mac mini

I have mouse and keyboard of the logitech anywhere type which let me switch between if they are comptrolling the windows pc or the mac mini

when I work from home I bring my work laptop into the box connecting to the asus monitor and controlled by the logitech anywhere input devices.

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Setup dual computers and dual monitors?

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