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I use a USB switch to swap mouse/keyboard/webcam, but I switch my main monitor between two inputs manually because if I use a monitor switch, then once I swap i

I use a USB switch to swap mouse/keyboard/webcam, but I switch my main monitor between two inputs manually because if I use a monitor switch, then once I swap it to my work computer, Windows detects the monitor is gone and moves all my windows to the second monitor (Which is also a different resolution and has different scaling, so they also all get resized) which is a pain in the ass. I know you can get so-called "active" switches that tell both host computers that there's still a monitor plugged in, but they're expensive, especially if you use a monitor higher than 1080p. I'm not even sure once exists that will support 1440p @ 144 hz with GSync. However, I haven't looked for KVM switches in almost two years. Has this situation changed? Is there a KVM switch that will tell the host machines that there's still a monitor hooked up when I switch it to the other machine that will support my resolution and refresh?

thoughtpalette 4y ago
Also unable to find an HDMI switcher that supports greater than 60hz. I have the same issue. Dual 170hz for desktop with Digilink base for work laptop. Just manually switching monitor inputs in settings.
DougWebb 4y ago
I had a 4K Dell monitor as my main, a lower res monitor on one side, and a 16:10 in portrait mode on the other side, all serving two computers. The computer that used DisplayPort for the 4K monitor had the issue you mention; when I swapped source from one computer to the other my open windows all jumped around to the side monitors. Apparently it's the DisplayPort driver that's the problem; HDMI, DVI, and VGA don't behave this way, but DisplayPort does. I've replaced the 4K Dell and side monitor with a big curved 8K Dell, which has a built-in KVM. My keyboard, mouse, headset, external speaker bar, and webcam are all plugged into the monitor, and they all swap from one PC to the other with a keyboard shortcut that also switches the monitor source. It's a lot handier. However, if I manually switch my portrait monitor to the PC that uses DisplayPort, my windows will still get moved to it when I switch everything else to the other PC. So I just don't switch that portrait monitor very often anymore. Using the keyboard shortcut has made my lazy and I don't bother with the last monitor unless I really need it.

thoughtpalette 4y ago

Also unable to find an HDMI switcher that supports greater than 60hz. I have the same issue. Dual 170hz for desktop with Digilink base for work laptop. Just manually switching monitor inputs in settings.

DougWebb 4y ago

I had a 4K Dell monitor as my main, a lower res monitor on one side, and a 16:10 in portrait mode on the other side, all serving two computers. The computer that used DisplayPort for the 4K monitor had the issue you mention; when I swapped source from one computer to the other my open windows all jumped around to the side monitors. Apparently it's the DisplayPort driver that's the problem; HDMI, DVI, and VGA don't behave this way, but DisplayPort does. I've replaced the 4K Dell and side monitor with a big curved 8K Dell, which has a built-in KVM. My keyboard, mouse, headset, external speaker bar, and webcam are all plugged into the monitor, and they all swap from one PC to the other with a keyboard shortcut that also switches the monitor source. It's a lot handier. However, if I manually switch my portrait monitor to the PC that uses DisplayPort, my windows will still get moved to it when I switch everything else to the other PC. So I just don't switch that portrait monitor very often anymore. Using the keyboard shortcut has made my lazy and I don't bother with the last monitor unless I really need it.