Discovering the KVM Switch
You need a KVM switch.
That’s what my friend told me three years ago after seeing my dual-laptop setup. I explained how I had to switch cords at the end of my workday to enjoy my personal laptop. As a fellow hardware reviewer, she had a simple solution: buy a keyboard, video, mouse (KVM) switch to handle the task, eliminating the need for cord-swapping. It sounded too good to be true.
Manual Switching: A Temporary Solution
I didn’t buy a KVM switch initially because I didn’t want to clutter my small desk with another device. Instead, I continued manually switching my HDMI and USB cords between my computers for a few years. I tried to ease the process with a tiny HDMI switcher hidden behind my monitor and receiver-free Bluetooth devices, but the real solution was always a KVM switch. Recently, I upgraded to a monitor with a built-in KVM switch, achieving a win-win: less desk clutter and no more plugging and unplugging cords!
A Desk to Rescue
Photograph: Nena Farrell
This is my desk as of April 2021. I became a big fan of PC gaming as a way to stay connected with friends. Initially, I was a Nintendo Switch enthusiast, but after my Animal Crossing: New Horizons phase ended, I transitioned to PC games.
Gaming Laptop Dilemma
That’s when I got my first gaming laptop, but I needed space on my desk for both it and my work computer. The bulky gaming laptop wasn’t comfortable away from my desk and had poor battery life, so I needed a permanent solution for my after-work gaming sessions.
The KVM Switch Solution
A KVM switch was the clear answer. These devices let you connect two computers or laptops—even with different operating systems—and share peripherals like a monitor, keyboard, and mouse. Once connected, you can switch between computers using the same peripherals without unplugging and reconnecting them. There are many options available, but I found a monitor with a built-in KVM switch to be the best solution.
Monitor with Built-in KVM Switch
My new monitor, the 27-Inch Philips Creator Series 4K USB-C Monitor, has both a KVM switch and an input change option. Using it with receiver-free Bluetooth accessories, I only needed to switch the input from the monitor instead of using the full KVM switch feature.
Photograph: Nena Farrell
Choosing the Right Monitor
Choosing a monitor that can accept and recognize multiple inputs can make a significant difference. I’m thrilled that many monitors are now including this feature, especially in gaming monitors like the Acer Predator X34.
6 Comments
Do people really need another gadget to reduce clutter!
Desk clutter isn’t that big of a deal, is it.
KVM monitors are just another unnecessary tech trend.
Who even has that many screens to worry about.
Sounds like a solution looking for a problem, tbh.
Canyon: Isn’t a clean desk just an illusion of productivity?