I haven't done this variation but what I will say is that barrier (formerly synergy, which is still around but no longer free and open) is a great app for using two machines and their monitors as if they're one. I've used it for a desktop plus laptop all the time. Even works on a steam deck.
this post was submitted on 23 Feb 2024
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For windows only folks, mouse without borders is a great option and it's built into windows power toys, otherwise synergy is a excellent cross platform solution that's worth the license cost.
I'll check this out!
I don't have pictures but I use an HDMI switch for 2 computers with 2 monitors. I don't know if that is the same
No that’s too many. In fact I’ve regressed from dual monitor to single widescreen monitor. I use a dock so plugging in is easy but honestly I can’t sit in that desk for both work and non-work activities.
I like two monitors for work (center and side) and one for personal.
I have a PC, work MacBook and a personal MacBook. MacBooks go into a dock/hub which has an HDMI and lightning bolt video out. They are stacked on stands so all I have to do is switch a single cable between the two. I have three monitors. Middle I shared. MacBooks and PC both have their own dedicated monitors to the side. Middle monitor switches between display port and lightning bolt depending on my focus.
I used to have a setup with three monitors, a desktop, and a laptop. I used Synergy to share the mouse and keyboard between them.
I used to have a setup that spanned 5 monitors across three computers (dev laptop with two external monitors, and two all-in-one PCs to test the code). I used a piece of software, can't remember now what it was called, but it linked the three computers together so I could use the same mouse and keyboard across all three. It also allowed you to custom arrange where the monitors were so you didn't have to just have them all lined up perfectly. Here's an earlier version of the setup, before I got the second AiO PC: 
At another point I had a home setup using a USB dock and a USB switch to make it so with a button press I could switch my monitors (and most and keyboard and speakers) between my personal desktop and my work laptop.
Edit: I don't know why my keyboard decided I wanted to write "Ayy". I have never typed that in my life. Well, until just now
Was the software called Synergy or Sharemouse?
Synergy! That was the one I used! It had to work across Linux and Windows computers
I want to be able to poke around on the personal while on work conference calls... But would love to have the ability to share mouse and keyboard without using Logitech's native software.
I use Synergy for the KB/Mouse sharing.
You basically just load software on all wanted systems and tell the software where their screens are and you can seamlessly move your mouse from screen to screen and system to system. You can optionally allow it to keep the clipboards in sync too.
I got in on it like 10 years ago as part of a crowdfunding campaign, but they're still around and look to be relatively reasonably priced.
I also use Synergy and bought one of those crowdfunding licenses a long time ago. Works great for multi-computer setups
Flow is neat, but I don't think it has the customizability that Synergy does
You can get a USB hub that can switch between 2 devices, that's what I am running in my current setup. But you have to manually switch between them obviously. Or you can use peripherals that has multiple device support but if you already have a good device then just stick to the hub.
When I was looking, I had find that a proper KVM was way more expensive than a dock and standalone switch
I do exactly this, and I have for years! It's a work laptop, so I can't install whatever I want. I have a dedicated mouse for the PC and another for the laptop, hdmi switch for a shared monitor, but also a dedicated monitor for both as well. Then a shared keyboard on a 4 port is switch.
I love it!
Would you be willing to share a picture or two?
Not exactly like what you're asking, but I've been having multiple laptop in my study. Usually at least one for work and one for personal. Sometimes I'd have another laptop when I'm testing stuff out for my projects.
So far, only one laptop got a second monitor. I'd buy another monitor, but I'm out of budget due to buying too many laptops lol.
I got a really sturdy wheeled table with one laptop and its external monitor on a swing arm.
Another laptop sits in a regular desk.
When I have yet another laptop, it would usually be on a janky cheap table.
I use an hdmi splitter for both monitors. That way I can use both of them either for my desktop or my work laptop
Honestly, I have the extra monitors so want to make them dedicated. Though I could definitely split the 4th perhaps.
Sadly, I have to make do with little space, especially now that my wife also needs a home office space
Mine is chaos, center is a 39” ultra wide, left is a 27 inch, bottom is a 15 inch laptop screen and bottom right is a 16 inch Kamvas screen.
The bottom two are one machine and the top two another and I use a KVM to go between.
...why does anyone need 4 monitors? Are they all 1080p or something?
2 laptops - 1 personal, 1 for work. 4 monitors - 2 for each laptop
Exactly!