Of course, there’s no reason you can’t use remote desktop technology with a machine that’s right there. Additionally, if the remote machine hangs or has any sort of problem that needs a physical fix, you can’t just reach out and fix it. A poor connection can lead to bad performance, including audio and video lag. No network means no control of the other machines. Since you are relying on a network connection, any problems with that connections can be an issue. There are plenty of free remote desktop clients to choose from as well, so really it seems like using a remote desktop app is the best solution of all, right? Well, there are plenty of potential flies that could end up in this multi-computer ointment. You can maximize it at any time, in which case using it is just like sitting in front of the machine itself. The screen of the remote computer exists as a window on your primary machine. Basically you run the client app on the computer you will physically be sitting at and run the server application on the second computer you want to control. The optimal answer is to use a remote desktop client and server application. If you need to control two computers using one monitor and a hardware KVM switch is out of the question, what can you do? Especially if you aren’t willing to shell out for a professional software KVM switch. Software KM switches such as Mouse Without Borders even lets you seamlessly use the clipboard and drag files between machines as if they were one. Such as a lack of cabling and the ability to KVM computers that are very far away. However, compared to the price of a hardware KVM, Multiplicity is a real bargain and adds many advantages. Unfortunately that product is not free, although you can try it out to see if it works for you. There are true software KVMs as well, such as Stardock Multiplicity (30-day trial). However, if you combine a software KM switch with our first solution where we plug two computers into one monitor, you effectively get a KVM switch without paying anything extra!

So these are actually software “KM” switches and don’t really solve our problem at all.

How to use laptop as monitor for switch