Today, every home has two or more computers that are used for working, studying, playing games, surfing the web, etc. Previously, software developers weren’t sure they could bring a computer under every roof around the world.
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Today they are present in every home, school, office like a clock or a television. Many people own multiple computers, one each for personal and business use. If you have multiple computers and want to access them on a single monitor, here is “How to connect two or more computers to one monitor”.
Whether these computers are kept on the same desk or mounted in different rooms, they can still be accessed with a single mouse, keyboard, and monitor. It depends on the type and configuration of the computers.
How to connect two computers to one monitor?
Here is a guide with several methods that will help you connect two or more computers to one monitor.
Method 1- using multiple ports
Just like smart TVs, monitors also have multiple input ports. For example, a typical monitor has two HDMI or DisplayPort sockets mounted on it. Some monitors have VGA, DVI, and HDMI ports. These may vary by monitor model.
To connect one or more PCs to a monitor, you can access the monitor’s internal menu and change its input.
Professionals:
- You can use the monitor that is already present in your home if it is compatible.
- It is a simple and effective method where the connection can be established quickly.
Versus:
- For this method, you may need to purchase a new monitor with multiple input ports.
- The main drawback is that you will need individual input devices (keyboard and mouse) to access two different computers (Or). You have to plug and unplug input devices every time you log into a single computer. If one of the systems is rarely used, this method will work fine. Otherwise, it will just be a hassle.
- Only one ultrawide monitor can display the full view of two computers. Unless you own one, spending on input devices is not recommended.
Method 2- using KVM switches
KVM can be expanded as a keyboard, video, and mouse.
Using hardware KVM switches
A variety of different speed KVM switches are available on the market today that offer unique features.
- Multiple computers can be connected using a hardware KVM switch to accept inputs from them.
- Then it would send its output to a single monitor.
Note: A basic 2-port VGA model is available for $ 20, while a 4-port 4K unit with additional features is available for hundreds of dollars.
Professionals:
- They are easy and immediate to use.
Versus:
- There must be a physical connection between all computers and the hardware KVM Switch.
- The length of cable required for the entire link setup is a lot, thus increasing the budget.
- KVM switches are a bit slow compared to standard conventional switches. It may take a few seconds to switch between systems, which can be inconvenient.
Using software KVM switches
It is a software solution to connect two or more computers with the primary computer input devices. These KVM switches cannot directly help you connect two or more computers to a single monitor. However, hardware KVMs can be used to manage these connections in a compatible way.
Here are some examples of these software packages:
- Synergy (is available for a one-time purchase)
- ShareMouse (is available free for personal use)
- Input Director (available free for personal use)
- Microsoft Garage Mouse Without Borders (available for free)
- Stardock Multiplicity (Comes with a free 30-day trial. Despite the fact that this software is paid, it contains many additional features. For example, it has the ability to connect two PCs that can even be far apart at a low cost..
Versus:
- The performance of software KVM switches is not as exact as that of hardware KVM switches.
- Each computer needs individual input devices and all computers must be present in the same room.
Method 3- using remote desktop solutions
If you don’t want to implement the methods mentioned above or aren’t willing to shell out for the hardware/software KVM switch, the remote desktop client and server application would work better.
- Run the client app on the system you have been sitting on.
- Run the server app on the other computer.
- The client system will display the second system screen as a window. You can maximize or minimize it at any time, according to your convenience.
Note: If you are looking for good options, you can download VNC Viewer and Chrome Remote Desktop for free!
Professionals:
- Using this method, you can instantly connect two computers to one monitor using an Ethernet cable.
- You can enable software programs with the help of this connection.
- This method is fast and compatible.
Versus:
- It is not possible to connect other PCs without a network connection. Network connectivity issues lead to poor performance along with delays in audio and video files.
We hope this article was helpful and you were able to connect two or more computers to one monitor. If you have any questions about this article, please contact us through the comments section below.
