Question Best monitor with two upstream USB ports for switching between 2 PCs

[Steelbom]

My friend has both a PC and a Mac and is looking for one monitor (2560x1440, 3440x1440 or 5120x1440) that can be connected to both and allow easy switching of inputs and the USB ports (keyboard/mouse). He doesn't need to have both on the screen at once, but when he switches from one to another it needs to switch the USB ports over as well.

Would appreciate any suggestions, recommendations or even what your experience was like using this type of monitor.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I'm not aware of ANY monitor currently on the market that:

1) Has multiple video inputs, AND
2) Has multiple (banks) of USB ports, AND
3) switches between banks of USB ports, simultaneously when switching video inputs.

You need a KVM switch, period.

Edit: Or a monitor with multiple video inputs, and a separate USB switch-box, potentially with a pair of USB hubs downstream from it.

Edit: I stand corrected. See below, apparently Dell does offer something like this in their really high-end display line(s).

 

[Bubbleawsome]

Something else that could work for him is a keyboard and mouse that can switch between 2.4Ghz and Bluetooth connections. Having a mouse that can swap between those with one press is a huge help when I’m working on my laptop and raspberry pi at the same time. Plus, the Mac should have Bluetooth built in so he wouldn’t need a new card for the pc or an extra usb dongle for the Mac.

 

[BobKnock]

My friend has both a PC and a Mac and is looking for one monitor (2560x1440, 3440x1440 or 5120x1440) that can be connected to both and allow easy switching of inputs and the USB ports (keyboard/mouse). He doesn't need to have both on the screen at once, but when he switches from one to another it needs to switch the USB ports over as well.

Would appreciate any suggestions, recommendations or even what your experience was like using this type of monitor.

I've never used one, but it appears several Dell monitors have a built-in KVM function.
U3818DW is $880 on Amazon, 3840x1600 resolution.

The Dell U3818DW Monitor with Built-in KVM Switch -- Virtualization Review

If you work with multiple computers and you're looking to declutter your desktop, you might want to investigate using a monitor like Dell's 38-inch curved display.

virtualizationreview.com

 

[Steelbom]

Thanks for the responses guys.

I'm not aware of ANY monitor currently on the market that:

1) Has multiple video inputs, AND
2) Has multiple (banks) of USB ports, AND
3) switches between banks of USB ports, simultaneously when switching video inputs.

You need a KVM switch, period.

Edit: Or a monitor with multiple video inputs, and a separate USB switch-box, potentially with a pair of USB hubs downstream from it.

It's a little hard to find the information about it but I think there are a couple of models from Dell that do this. The key is finding the models that have two upstream USB ports so you can connect each computer.

Something else that could work for him is a keyboard and mouse that can switch between 2.4Ghz and Bluetooth connections. Having a mouse that can swap between those with one press is a huge help when I’m working on my laptop and raspberry pi at the same time. Plus, the Mac should have Bluetooth built in so he wouldn’t need a new card for the pc or an extra usb dongle for the Mac.

Ah an interesting idea but I think he probably doesn't want to change keyboard and mouse.

I've never used one, but it appears several Dell monitors have a built-in KVM function.
U3818DW is $880 on Amazon, 3840x1600 resolution.

The Dell U3818DW Monitor with Built-in KVM Switch -- Virtualization Review

If you work with multiple computers and you're looking to declutter your desktop, you might want to investigate using a monitor like Dell's 38-inch curved display.

virtualizationreview.com

Yeah, there's also this one: Dell U4919DW which is 49" 5120x1440. Looks pretty nice! It seems Dell has their finger on this whole KVM switch built in thing... pretty impressive solution imo if you need to run two systems.

I had a look around and neither the LG nor Samsung 49" support this in the same way.