How to display a Mac and a PC on the same screen

Hello everyone! I want to talk about a frequently asked question today: how to display a Mac and a PC on the same screen while controlling them with just one keyboard and mouse. Don’t worry; I’m here to help! In this guide, I will provide you with a detailed step-by-step process that is simple and low-tech, perfect for my own needs. By the end of this guide, you’ll clearly understand how to implement some of these techniques into your own setup.


Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Two display cables (HDMI, DisplayPort, or compatible with your monitor)
  • Female to two male audio splitter cable
  • Optional: Thunderbolt dock (helpful if you have a laptop that you’ll be frequently removing and replacing)
  • Two computers (Mac and PC)
  • Monitor, keyboard, and mouse

Let’s dive into the setup process:

Gather the necessary equipment:

  • Ensure you have all the required cables, the audio splitter, and the computers ready.

Connect the display cables:

    • Add one end of each display cable to two different inputs on your monitor.
    • Connect the other ends of the display cables to the respective computers.
    • Ensure that the cables you choose are compatible with your monitor and computers.

Set up audio output:

    • Grab the audio splitter and connect one male head to each of your systems.
    • Plug your speakers’ male head into the splitter’s female lead.
    • This setup allows both computers to play audio simultaneously without any interference.
    • Remember that the speaker volume might be reduced by half, but it should still be sufficient for your needs.

Monitor functionality:

    • If you have an ultrawide monitor like mine, it’s ideal for displaying both systems side by side.
    • Many ultrawide monitors come with built-in software that allows you to split the screen into two halves, essentially acting as separate monitors.
    • If you don’t have an ultrawide monitor, you can still switch inputs to view each system individually.

Keyboard and mouse control:

    • Instead of using separate wireless keyboard and mouse setups, I recommend using a program called Synergy.
    • Purchase and download Synergy on your Mac and PC (a paid application available for $29).
    • Open Synergy on both computers and decide which one will be the server and the client.
    • The server computer is where you’ll connect the keyboard and mouse (in my case, it’s the PC).
    • If you have wired peripherals, plug them into the server computer.
    • Click the server configuration box on the server computer’s Synergy interface and select “Configure Server.”
    • A grid will appear, allowing you to position the client computer (e.g., the MacBook) relative to the server computer.
    • Drag one of the icons to the right of the PC icon to represent the client computer’s position.
    • Double-click the newly placed icon and change the screen name to match the client name, which you can find on the client’s computer.
    • Switch to the client computer and check the client box in Synergy.
    • Enter the IP address of the server computer (you can find it at the top of the Synergy window on the server computer).
    • Start Synergy on both computers, and a confirmation message will appear once they connect successfully.
    • Close the configuration window, and Synergy will continue running in the background, maintaining the connection between your devices.
    • With Synergy, your keyboard and mouse inputs seamlessly transfer between both computers, making the transition smooth and effortless.

Test the setup and enjoy:

    • Ensure the keyboard, mouse, and monitor work correctly across both systems.
    • You can now control your Mac and PC with a single keyboard and mouse set, enhancing your productivity and convenience.

I hope this guide help you to understand how to display a Mac and a PC on the same screen. Remember that you can adjust these steps to fit your specific needs and hardware. Although there are other methods, I found this simple approach very convenient and practical. So don’t be afraid to try it and enjoy the ease of switching between your Mac and PC on a single monitor!

 

What I used:

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