In a world where people love their Macs for some uses and their PCs for others — especially gaming — a setup KVM switch comes in mighty handy. That’s because it lets you easily switch between Mac and PC using the same peripherals, like keyboard, video (displays) and mouse. That spells K-V-M.
MacBook Pro user relies on KVM switch to easily hop from laptop to PC in gaming setup
This KVM switch lets computers share peripherals like keyboards, video monitors and mice. It supports 4K@120Hz and 8K@60Hz video via HDMI or DisplayPort for dual monitors and dual computers. Includes USB 3.0 cables and extended controller.
- Makes switching between Mac and PC easy
- Support for 2 computers and 2 displays
- 4K@120Hz and 8K@60Hz video support
- USB 3.0 isn't newest or fastest connectivity
A Redditor going by the handle TheEpicEnforcer (“EE”) showed off the formidable gaming setup in a post entitled, “My (now) multi-purpose setup! M3Pro MBPro X my ol’ reliable Windows gaming PC.” They run an M3 Pro MacBook Pro and a gaming PC with a couple of displays and other peripherals.
The user’s need for the setup to become “multipurpose” came along with some new gear — namely, the Apple laptop added to a PC gaming rig.
“I had this dual monitor desk set up for my gaming PC and after I got my MacBook Pro, I loved it but eventually began to yearn to be able to use my Mac on the dual monitors, but I wasn’t ready to replace my windows PC since I still use it for gaming,” EE said.
And the setup’s new multi-use capability comes from some inexpensive gear, including a KVM switch that’s just $70 when you select the $30 off coupon on the Amazon product page.
“I don’t have the space to have a dedicated docking set up just for the Mac so I’m running a TB3 dock to a KVM switch hooked up to my PC,” they added. “This way, I have been able to get my desktop monitors, speakers, keyboard, mouse and WebCam to seamlessly switch between the two computers, and I love it.”
How about those widgets?
In case you’re curious about what you can see on the screens, EE described his widgets when someone asked about them:
- 6 of them are from Stoic which is journaling/mood-tracking app I’ve recently been started trying to use more (quotes, affirmations, mood check-in, morning/evening check-in, memento mori).
- 2 of them on the top left are from BusyCal, which has recently become my favorite calendar app (events and upcoming reminders).
- 2 of them are from Monarch which became my personal finance tracking app after Mint was shut down. I miss Mint because free, but Monarch is way better. (Recent transactions across all my accounts, daily investment portfolio insights.)
- The rest are Apple widgets (battery and weather).
Shop these items now:
This MacBook Pro-compatible and Intel-certified Thunderbolt 4 dock features 40Gbps data transfer speed, dual 4K 60Hz DisplayPort or HDMI support, 100W charging and Gigabit Ethernet.
- Fast data transfer speeds
- 4K@60Hz dual display support
- 100W charging for laptops
- Some docks feature higher-spec display support
- Thunderbolt 4 will lose ground to TB5
KVM switch, dock and computers:
- Cmstedcd KVM switch for 2 computers and 2 monitors
- Cable Matters 14-in-1 Thunderbolt Dock
- 14-inch M3 Pro MacBook Pro
- iPad Pro
Displays and webcam:
Input devices:
If you would like to see your setup featured on Cult of Mac, send some high-res pictures to [email protected] (iPhone pics usually work fine). Please provide a detailed list of your equipment. Tell us what you like or dislike about your setup, and fill us in on any special touches, challenges and plans for new additions.
David Snow, an expert on Apple hardware and software, writes on a variety of technological and cultural topics for Cult of Mac. They include Apple news, technology buying guides, and features about computer setups and Apple TV shows and movies.
With 30 years of experience covering technology and other subjects, he has written and edited for numerous print and online publications, including CMP Media, TechTV.com, CNET, Wired News, Red Herring magazine, Law.com, The National Law Journal and Law Technology News magazine. Among other roles, he served as executive editor of the Law.com network of websites and editorial director, technology, for ALM Media.
Snow graduated with a B.A. from Syracuse University with majors in magazine journalism and psychology. While there, he worked as a reporter for The Daily Orange newspaper and associate editor of Equal Time magazine.
Founder of the blog At the Waterline, he can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) via @atthewaterline and on Mastodon via @dsnow.
