So recently had the ability to work from home a bit more than usual so I’m in the market for a KVM or USB switch to go between my PC and work laptop. Anyone have suggestions?

ETA. Thanks for all of the useful feedback, appreciate it!

  • catloaf@lemm.ee
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    6 months ago

    What’s your budget and feature requirements? You can get a cheap USB switch for like $12, or a 4k multi-display KVM for like $2000.

      • NedPool@eviltoast.org
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        6 months ago

        As someone that works in AV for exactly your type of scenario… you unfortunately won’t find anything that supports >1080p60 for under $500. That type of video bandwidth is at a premium for switching on KVMs, matrixes, eg. Good USB 3 support is unfortunately expensive, too.

        Expect lots of noticeable lag, too. Switches aren’t engineered for gaming yet.

        • inclementimmigrant@lemmy.worldOP
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          6 months ago

          That’s a shame. I was thinking that I could get along with just a USB switch for the mouse and keyboard and manually switching displays when needed as the bare minimum. I can’t imagine a simple USB switch would have that much delay in response time for peripherals but who knows.

          Either way thanks for the great input.

        • inclementimmigrant@lemmy.worldOP
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          6 months ago

          Yeah, as I keep looking that’s what it seems like it’s the best choice to continue to game and be productive, which is fine by me, not that hard to switch inputs on a monitor.

          • astrsk@piefed.social
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            6 months ago

            Check out ddcutil and setting keyboard shortcuts. At a single press you can switch monitor inputs easily so no need to fiddle with monitor buttons. Combined with a USB switcher you’re down to just 2 button presses to swap machines like this.

  • eyeon@lemmy.world
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    6 months ago

    no product recommendation but in general KVMs can’t handle high bandwidth displays. Maybe some can but the vast majority are meant for 1080p60 desktop use.

  • tmat256@lemmings.world
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    6 months ago

    If you can somehow manage to install software on your work laptop then I highly recommend Synergy. It is by far a better solution than a KVM and you could keep the keyboard and mouse plugged into your PC so no effect on gaming.