Can I hook up two computers to one display or monitor?

Answer: You sure can. All you need is a KVM switch, which allows you to choose what computer is using the screen. You can have two PCs, a laptop and a PC, or even a Mac and a PC hooked up to the same display. Some KVM switches only switch the monitor input, while others allow you to switch the input for the keyboard and mouse as well. This means you can use the same screen, keyboard, and mouse for two different computers.

When buying a KVM switch, make sure it supports your monitor type (VGA, DVI, etc.) as well as the keyboard and mouse ports that your hardware uses (typically USB or serial). It is also smart to buy a KVM switch that comes with the necessary cables, since buying them separately can be surprisingly expensive. You can purchase KVM switches at stores like CompUSA, MicroCenter, Best Buy or from several online computer retailers.

Published: March 29, 2005 — by Per Christensson