Do you use a KVM switch? If so, which one and do you recommend it?


classic35mm

New member
Local time
4:59 AM
Posts
27
OS
Windows 11 23H2 22631.3527
  • I have a Windows 7 Pro desktop system (Lenovo) connected to two monitors (monitors that duplicate the display -- NOT extended desktop, NOT multiple display "windows").
  • I will be getting a Windows 11 Pro desktop system (also Lenovo) soon. I'd like to be able to switch the display input from one computer the other, and vice versa, with the touch of a button.
In other words, I want:

Computer 1 (Windows 7 🪟) computer duplicated on Monitor 1 and Monitor 2 🖥️🖥️
^
| (button press) 🔳
v
Computer 2 (Windows 11 :win:) computer duplicated on Monitor 1 and Monitor 2
🖥️🖥️

Monitor 1 and Monitor 2 are 12+ years old (still working great!) and do NOT support multiple inputs, as far as I can tell. So I think a KVM switch "for 2 computers, 2 displays" is one way to accomplish what I want. Please note that I don't necessarily need the switch to accommodate a keyboard and mouse, because I can easily have a separate keyboard and mouse connected to each computer; I mostly want to be able to easily switch the monitors' inputs between computers.
  • Do you use such a KVM switch? If so, which one and do you recommend it? Is it stable and reliable? How long does it take to switch between inputs?
  • Or is there another way to accomplish my desire, using some other piece of hardware?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 23H2 22631.3527
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkStation P3
I use a TrendNet 4-port KVM with computers running Win7, Win10, Win11 and Linux Mint. The keyboard is a Microsoft and mouse is a Dell, both USB. The monitor is a 24" Dell ST2410. The computers have their own speakers. The video ports on the computers are VGA except the Win11 is the newest and needs a DisplayPort to VGA cable adapter [has no VGA port on the computer]. The only solution for multiple monitors I can think of is using 2 splitters for each KVM video port/output but that would only be the same signal, duplicate the view.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 Pro RTM
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 3400
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 11th Gen. 2.40GHz
    Memory
    12GB
    Hard Drives
    256GB SSD NVMe
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro RTM x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 5890
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 10th Gen. 2.90GHz
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Onboard, no VGA, using a DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Dell
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD NVMe, 2TB WDC HDD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender/Microsoft Security

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