Hi everyone, so today I’m coming at you today with a really quick tip and that is
how to control two computers with one keyboard and mouse.
So I’ve moved locations recently and I’m just getting my setup back together that's
why there's been a lack of videos and in the process I actually got a Gaming Computer in
the form of a HP Omen gaming desktop.
So now I have two computers in addition to my MacBook Pro Laptop that I need to operate
off of this one gorgeous 4K LG 27UK850 Monitor.
One of the coolest things about this monitor is that it can charge and output video from
one USB-C cable to the MacBook.
And it runs the HP Omen Gaming Desktop off of the Displayport.
Now if your looking for a free solution it is possible but it will require two computer
monitors or in this case it could be this monitor and then having the Laptop open and
not underneath the desk like I have now.
The free software is called "ShareMouse" and that allows you to control two computers using
the keyboard and mouse you already own using this free software.
However this is quite a small room, so I need a really minimal setup as this is actually
quite a minimal desk and with that I want to keep my Laptop in clamshell mode under
this little monitor stand.
I actually wanted to find a more hardware based solution that could solve this problem
for me and I found it with the Logitech Craft Wireless Keyboard and also the Logitech MX
Master 2S mouse - this is not a sponsored video.
These are certainly high end devices however I did manage to nab them while they were on
sale in Amazon, the keyboard for £109 or €123 and the mouse for £61 and €69 however
their similarly priced to Apple’s equivalent magic keyboard and mouse and come with more
features like backlighting, a dial for app specific functions or to globally change the
volume and brightness levels.
I also appreciate that it has universal key bindings for both Mac and Windows functions.
If that's a little pricey, Logitech also creates a budget combo called the Logitech MK850 which
currently retails for about £75 or €85 and it does the exact same thing.
You lose the backlighting and extra tricks but you get a really solid combo set and even
this budget combo has a layout that shows both Mac and PC key bindings.
I didn’t personally test the keyboard but it does seem to share similar switches and
design to this wired keyboard which in itself is really solid, but then again my standards
are so low as I was using this Butterfly keyboard as my main keyboard for the past few months.
All of the hardware I mentioned comes with a unifying receiver so if one of your computer
doesn't have bluetooth for example like a gaming desktop you can plug it into that and
enable it to connect to the keyboard and mouse.
It's really simple to setup.
I assigned the first option to the MacBook laptop which is my main computer and I assigned
the second position to the gaming desktop.
The third position is currently vacant but that just shows how versatile these keyboards
and mouses are.
The last question you might have is how convienent is it over a software solution like "ShareMouse"?
And I have to say for this scanerio, it is pretty conveinent.
That's because there's a rythmn to how I change computers.
I'm using one monitor so when I want to switch from Mac into the Windows desktop - I have
to change the monitor input anyway so I know after I change the monitor input to also change
position on both the keyboard and the mouse.
So for those also in the process of making their setup more optimal and you have two
or more computers I hope you found this video really helpful.
Subscribe to see more videos like this right now and I want you to leave a comment if you
are actually going to use this solution.
Are you going to use the "ShareMouse" free tool or are you going to invest in a hardware
solution like I've shown?
...Or have you found a better way to do what I'm trying to accomplish because if you found
a better more convienent way I want to know.
If you have, leave a comment below as well, like the video and thanks for watching.
Side note: this is actually less convienent than you think, like it's really convienent
but plugging USB ports into it is tough.
Like it shouldn't be tough but it is just because the ports are all the way at the back.
I'm even... considering obviously just flipping the Laptop which I probably should do right
now.
Duh!
And people say you don't get an "aha" moment on camera.