This post describes the hardware and software I chose to set up my home office. Particularly it provides options for those use multiple machines with different OS. (I have one Mac for work, one Windows laptop and one Linux desktop for personal use.)
Monitor
Since I have 3 computers, to reduce wire plugging, I aim to have a solution where each of my machine can keep plugged in and I can use a remote or software to decide which computer is the signal input. This requires a hardware that allows multiple inputs. Since I have two separate monitor (I prefer one for horizonal and the other vertical), I also need a hardware for multiple outputs, where this hardware send signals to multiple monitors. In addition, the hardware should support sending different signals to different monitors. A Matrix satisfies your need. I used Orei HD-402 4x2 Port Matrix Ultra, which supports 4 inputs and 2 outputs, and like it so far. Quick note that this requires HDMI to be the interface.
Docking station
The Matrix still requires you to have one cable for one monitor, i.e. you cannot plug in one cable for one machine and expect it to have different signals on two monitors. So here you can either purchase a 6-input Matrix and plug 2 cables to each machine, or in my case I use a docking station whose 2 HDMI cables are plugged to Matrix, plus another 2 cables from my desktop, totaling 4. When switching screen to my Mac or my laptop, I physically switch the input cable of the docking station. When switching screen to my desktop, I use the button on the Matrix. It’s not perfect, but the effort is minimal so far.
Note that you will need a docking station that supports all the OS (mostly for the concerns of hardware driver). In my case I used Dell D6000 which supports 3 outputs at 4K resolution. It uses USB-C thunderbolt as the input and thus your machine should have such interface. The choice of USB-C interface is important here since it’s powerful enough to carry both video and audio signal while charging my machine at the same time. Otherwise, you will have to plug in your power cord when you switch machine for the output. The docking station also allows you to share the same keyboard and mouse without plugging a usb receiver to each machine. Config keyboard layout beforehand or use compatible keyboard like Logitech Craft. Logitech Crafts and Mx Master (mouse) support connecting to 3 usb receivers and thus you can plug in 1 receiver to your desktop. Therefore, I use docking station to switch between MacBook and the laptop, while use the switch on Logitech Craft and Mx Master to switch inputs from desktop. All in all, you need a keyboard/mouse that supports multi-OS, and supports more than one receiver.
How about 1 monitor for 1 machine
Sometimes you want to you two machines side-by-side, so the keyboard/mouse connection should automatically switch machine when your cursor move into the other screen. I tried Logitech Flow and Synergy and they are both WiFi-based switch. It’s a bit clunky but it does the job. Experience with Synergy is more pleasant.
Comments