Can You Hook Up 2 Computers to One Monitor?

A Keyboard, Video and Mouse (KVM) switch allows you to share one monitor, keyboard, and/or mouse on multiple computers.

Features

A KVM switch connects a single monitor, keyboard and mouse to a multiple computers. The input is selected by a simple A/B switch.

Identification

A KVM switch looks like a router with keyboard, video and mouse ports in place of ethernet ports.

Size

KVM switches range in size from a small desktop model, comparable to a home router, to large rack-mount switches that can control a dozen computers.

Function

The KVM uses a single monitor, keyboard and mouse input and splits it between two or more computers. This makes it easy to simultaneously use multiple operating systems.

Considerations

If you regularly use two computers, a KVM switch can keep you from constantly disconnecting and reconnecting the monitor. The investment may not be necessary if you only occasionally use multiple computers on a single monitor.

References

• Belkin: Switch for PC