How to Use the Same Keyboard & Mouse With Multiple PC

As a gamer or techie, using different peripherals for different PCs is a lot of hassle. Wouldn’t it be convenient to use the same keyboard and mouse for multiple PCs simultaneously? In this article, you shall learn the same. So, let’s quickly dive in.

How can you use the same keyboard and mouse for multiple PCs simultaneously?

There are both software and hardware solutions to tackle this. Let’s see each one of them in detail:

Software Solutions

There are several software options available that allow you to share a single keyboard and mouse for multiple PCs at once. Two of the most prominent ones are Synergy and Input Director.

1. Synergy:

Synergy is a software application developed by Symless. It allows smooth keyboard and mouse sharing across different Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms. You can easily set up the software and use it by following these steps:

• Install the software on all of your PCs.
• Designate one as the “server” (the PC with the keyboard and mouse you want to share).
• Designate the others as “clients.”

Once the designation is complete, you’re good to go.

2. Input Director:

This is a Windows-only solution that offers similar functionality. It lets you control multiple Windows systems using the keyboard and mouse attached to one computer.

Hardware Solutions

If you’re looking for a hardware solution, KVM switches are the answer. KVM stands for Keyboard, Video, and Mouse. A KVM switch is a hardware device that controls multiple computers from a single keyboard, video display (monitor), and mouse.

Advantages & Disadvantages

Now that you know the options available, you might think, “Which one should I choose?” Let’s discuss the pros and cons of each.

Software Solutions: 

They’re quite flexible and support various operating systems. They also offer features like clipboard sharing and dragging and dropping files between computers. However, they rely on network connections, which can sometimes introduce lag, especially in high-demand gaming situations.

Hardware Solutions: 

KVM switches offer a lag-free experience since they’re directly connected to all the computers. They’re excellent for gaming or any other latency-sensitive work. However, they can be more expensive, and setting them up can be tricky due to the extra cables and space required.

My real-life experience

Having used both software and hardware solutions, I have clearly noticed their effectiveness and drawbacks. For me personally, software solutions, namely Synergy, worked the best. I set up Synergy between my Windows gaming PC, Linux-based home server, and macOS work laptop. It took some tweaking, especially with the different operating systems involved, but once set up, it worked like a charm.

Conclusion

There you have it – a comprehensive guide on simultaneously using the same keyboard and mouse with 3 or more PCs. Whether you’re multitasking across multiple machines for work, gaming, or just for the thrill of it, these methods can help streamline your setup and make your life a lot easier. Remember, it’s all about finding the right solution that suits your specific needs and setup.

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