Monitor for two laptops

Guybrush Threepwood · 28-07-2021 4:40pm #1

I want to buy a monitor and have no idea what I should be looking for! Hoping someone can help?

I currently use both an ASUS laptop (Photoshop/light gaming) and an Macbook air (writing/internet mooching/neflix etc) daily and I'd like to get a monitor that I could connect both to, and easily switch between. I'd also like to be able to use this monitor for gaming when I get the new SteamDeck system next year 😀

What sort of specs should I be looking for for the monitor? My budget is around €250 - €350.

I'm a total newbie to this so any recommendations on videos/what to look for/set up tip are greatly appreciated!!

Wheety · 28-07-2021 4:42pm

Can't really recommend a monitor but for switching I have a cheap HDMI switch from Amazon and it works great for switching between devices.

xabi · 28-07-2021 4:47pm

or a cheap KVM style switch

Wheety · 29-07-2021 12:40pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117674611#Comment_117674611

I'm using a combination of a HDMI switch on one monitor and a KVM on another 😆

Means I can switch between using my work laptop with 1 or 2 extra screens but can also switch the 2 monitors over to my own pc.

Will be connecting the playstation to the HDMI switch shortly too.

Just need to tidy the cables.

GerardKeating · 29-07-2021 12:47pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117674611#Comment_117674611

Or a monitor with multiple inputs...

I have a monitor here, connected to 3 PC, once on VGA, one on HDMI and the the third on the DVI (via a DVI-DisplayPort adaptor)

JoyPad · 29-07-2021 2:50pm

The biggest question is: do you use both laptops at the same time or not?

I only have room for one laptop on my desk, so I have to close the work laptop and place my own MacBook on top of it. As such, I use separate inputs, and the monitor simply switches between them without any manual intervention, since only one input is active at a time, and the monitor changes from one to the other automatically.

I recommend either Dell P2421D or P2421DC, if you can find them in stock. They are 24inch LED panels with 1440p resolution, making them ideal for any non-gaming activities. If you want something that also works for gaming, you should look at 1080p panels with higher refresh rates.

Guybrush Threepwood · 30-07-2021 10:42am

Thanks for the replies!

I use the laptops at the same time, so I like the idea of a switch that lets me change between outputs. I'll look into the ones mentioned above.

I suppose my biggest issue is finding a screen that will work for general work, design work and gaming. I'll look for something at 1080p, but is there any other minimum specs I should look for?

brio09 · 30-07-2021 11:01am

monitors such as https://smile.amazon.com/LG-43UN700-B-Display-Type-C-inputs/dp/B0821WWXV6/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=43%22+monitor&qid=1627639191&sr=8-3 can connect to up to 4 laptops at the same time.

https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07SR1S2JL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 works well for hdmi splitting from 2 sources

https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07VVJCM7W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 works well for usb splitting from 2 sources

Monitor for two laptops

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