Why Your Next Monitor Needs a KVM Switch
There are a lot of monitors on the market, with ever more features for you to explore. But while brightness, resolution, and refresh rate are all essential considerations, there's one monitor feature you should definitely be on the lookout for the next time you're in the market for a display: a KVM switch. This switch essentially lets you easily swap between hardware hookups at the click of a button, and will even let you turn a single monitor into multiple displays.
If you're looking to upgrade your desktop and add a new monitor, I highly recommend looking for one with a KVM switch. It can make your life just a little bit easier, while also decluttering your desk. Here's how it works.
A KVM switch allows you to share a monitor between multiple systems
The main point of a KVM switch is to improve your productivity by allowing you to use multiple computers with one monitor, mouse, and keyboard. It's there in the name: KVM stands for "keyboard, video, mouse," and when a monitor is equipped with a KVM switch, you can easily swap between multiple devices utilizing it.
You can buy bespoke KVM switches—a fact our friends at PCMag highlight in this piece—but manufacturers are now embedding them directly into their monitors too.
If you want to see an embedded KVM switch in action, you can check out this video from YouTuber Dave2D, who highlights one of ASUS' top displays with the feature. In the video, Dave2D showcases how he's able to connect both his Windows PC and his Mac to the monitor, and easily swap between the two. He can even run the Mac and Windows PCs side by side on the same screen at the same time. (So cool.)
A KVM switch works by allowing you to seamlessly move your keyboard and mouse across different devices, making it easy to run multiple systems without swapping inputs or wasting space on multiple displays and a ton of peripherals.
Recommended products:
Looking for a display with a KVM switch? Here are some monitors we recommend:
ASUS ROG Strix 49 $999
Gigabyte M32Q $370
Gigabyte M27Q Pro $330
A KVM switch can help you multitask
As I noted above, a KVM switch makes it easier to work across multiple systems at one time. As someone who often spends time working across both Mac and Windows, a KVM switch makes it much easier for me to switch between my two setups. That means I can change up what I'm working on without having to move to a different desk, and without maintaining a super cluttered workspace.
Yes, there is also software that makes some of this possible, but typically you'll still require multiple monitors to have several systems running at the same time. With a KVM switch, you only need the single monitor to have both systems running concurrently.
Great monitors with KVM switches
If you're in the market for a new monitor, there are some great ones with embedded KVM switches.
For starters, the massive 49-inch ASUS monitor that Dave2D highlights is a great option. The ASUS ROG Strix 49 isn't cheap, though, and normally lists for $999. However, that price tag gets you a dual QHD 32:9 ultra-wide display with a 165Hz refresh rate, and that dual-input KVM switch that makes it stand out so much.
Another great option is the Gigabyte M32Q 32-inch gaming monitor, which also runs at a 165Hz refresh rate, and supports HDR400. This monitor also supports dual input with a KVM switch, and normally lists for around $370, depending on the deals Amazon has going on. It's a solid option, and its lower price makes it a bit more manageable a purchase for most people.
This Acer Nitro 37.5-inch curved gaming monitor is another solid KVM option, though it lists for a higher price than even the ASUS Dave2D showcased. That $1,299.99 price tag gets you a 37.5-inch curved display with a 2300R curve (maximum viewing distance of 2.3 meters), and support for QHD+ 3840 x 1600 resolution, HDR600, and a 165Hz refresh rate.
Another solid KVM option is the Gigabyte M27Q Pro. This 27-inch gaming monitor supports 1440P resolution and offers a 1Ms response time. It typically lists for $329.99, though it can often be found on sale for under $300 at Amazon and other retailers.