What hardware to share dual monitors between desktop and laptop

[HCHTech]

Just had this request from a client who wants to replace his current computer & laptop - their current setup uses a KVM switch, but they complained it was too cumbersome because of the multiple connections that needed to be made to the laptop. Thinking this through, I'm wondering if I could connect a dual-monitor docking station to a KVM to be the laptop side of things (which would give a single thunderbolt connection to the laptop), and then just the regular KVM connections for the desktop side.

A) I expect this will be expensive. I've replaced way too many of those cheap $100 "docking stations" that these days I only recommend the better ones, which run between $300 and $450 depending on the features. Add the price of a decent KVM and you're in the neighborhood of $700 or $800 even before you get to the computers.

B) Even if the price is acceptable, this doesn't exactly sound "robust" to me. Driver fights, cable connection issues, etc.

Part of me wants to say "just don't do this" -- you can buy two more monitors for way less than the hardware to share two monitors. Plus, if they spend all that money and then have problems every time there is a graphics driver update, I don't want to be on the other end of those phone calls.

With two desktops, it's easy because you don't have to unplug anything once it's wired.

Is there a better way?

 

[GTP]

Get 2 monitors and use Microsoft Garage Mouse or Synergy. Simple, free and effective.

 

[timeshifter]

Get them this (or something like it)

Dell UltraSharp 40 Curved Thunderbolt™ Hub Monitor - U4025QW | Dell USA

Shop the UltraSharp 40 Curved Thunderbolt Hub Monitor - U4025QW featuring a stunning 5K display with a 120Hz refresh rate.

www.dell.com

You can have both laptop and desktop plugged it at once. You can do PBP (picture by picture) at 50%, each computer gets half the screen. That screen is roughly equivalent to two 27" monitors side by side. There are many other modes too like 80 / 20 or you can full screen switch inputs.

It has USB and network ports too.

 

[britechguy]

@timeshifter

My guess is that at $1800 it's way more likely that the client would spring for multiple separate single machine large format monitors than this.

Unless, that is, they had some real need to have both computers displaying literally side-by-side on a single monitor, which is, in my opinion, highly doubtful.

 

[HCHTech]

Get 2 monitors and use Microsoft Garage Mouse or Synergy.

I never got the use case for MGM. I've seen the demos, and my response is "why would anyone want to do that?". I don't think it's a solution for someone wanting to use one computer at a time with shared monitors.

 

[GTP]

Oh, my bad! I didn't fully read your post. I (incorrectly) assumed that your client wanted dual monitors on a laptop and to be able to control a second PC.

My Mum always said "read what's actually there, not what you think is there!"