In this case what's crappy is those desktops rearranging windows when you turn off a monitor. I'd rather have my PC not know whether a monitor is connected or not, like used to be with vga.
A lot of software didn't really care and just sent signals into the void, but it's possible to do that with DVI or DP, too.
- Mac goes to sleep
- Gnome will default back the default monitor configuration and move the windows around
They do have a 1.2 DP KVM with EDID emulation, but you loose all the benefits of the 1.4 DP.
Its all on their FAQ forums
https://forum.level1techs.com/t/official-l1techs-kvm-faq-ult...
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Anyway, it's pricey and picky about compatibility, so it's hard to recommend, but I'm not aware of anything comparable in terms EDID emulation and support for high res/refresh modes.
Edit: Based on a sibling comment, the situation may have changed and there may be comparable ones around!
EDID emulation done right is expensive.
I did have a considerably more expensive TESmart [1] but couldn't use it because it had some weird incompatibility between it, thunderbolt docking station [2] I used with it (which also work flawlessly), and the MBPs connected to it. I could never figure out why, even raising the issue to support with no luck.
My two cents.
[0] https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B088WGKFZH
2 years later switched from m1 to m2 and it no longer works well enough (may also be the Sonoma upgrade stil gotta verify that). The devices get disconnected and glitch etc.
Went to check with dell and monitor is "not supported" on macos.
I am at a loss for words.
Disclaimer: meant to be humorous.
Apple also refuses to implement a protocol that allows controlling the brightness and volume of a non-Apple monitor from the keyboard or even macOS itself. It's infuriating. The only monitors it works with are Apple's and the two overpriced Apple-sanctioned LG monitors sold in the Apple Store.
I'm just explaining how it doesn't just work, and that I'm perfectly happy not using their products. My comment was also a correction that it's on Apple, and not Dell, as to why Apple products don't work well with non-Apple devices. This is a tactic that Apple uses to try and denigrate non-Apple products and get people to come back to Apple's "premium" versions of those products.
There are clear and easy steps Apple could take, but they won't.
That's the one justification that consistently gets upvoted to the top any time someone questions Apple's pricing structure. Please don't change the tune when someone reports a serious ongoing problem.
From MonitorControl's GitHub README, emphasis mine:
> Most modern LCD displays from all major manufacturers supported implemented DDC/CI protocol via USB-C, DisplayPort, HDMI, DVI or VGA to allow for hardware backlight and volume control.
And a blog entry by the author of Lunar, an app mentioned elsewhere for this problem: https://alinpanaitiu.com/blog/journey-to-ddc-on-m1-macs/
These are not examples of "just works". Apple intentionally does these things to cripple integration into non-Apple products.
I ended up going with the nuclear option of an IP KVM https://www.raritan.com/support/product/dominion-kx-iv-101 that will do all the resolutions I want at 60hz. It was very expensive, but on the bright side it lets me keep work laptops completely unmodified and easily swappable.
One question I couldn't see an answer to is whether or not the I can make the network port "sticky" to my Dell notebook (plugged in over USB-C), or will it "move" to my Desktop PC when I switch to it?
I read last year how recent standard made higher wattage delivery over USB-C now standard (I think it was the latest Thunderbolt one), so I'm waiting until these monitors can do that.
- https://askubuntu.com/questions/1042641/how-to-set-custom-lo...
- https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/set-sleep-and-wake-...
etc
2 2.5k/1440p monitors both 144hz and it switches every time. Highly recommend. Albeit a bit pricey.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083JKDNRJ
I was hopeful and tried using this Monoprice KVM switch (linked below), but it just wasn't worth it in my experience. Despite supporting Display Port 1.4, I could not use my monitor to its full ability with my PC (3440x1400 @165Hz w/ 10 bit color). Dropping the connection when switching inputs was also incredibly annoying; every time I switched away from my Macbook it would go to sleep.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B093N1DR8Y
I'm happy to switch inputs on both the USB switch and my monitor separately because it's not actually too large of a hassle, and the monitor doesn't "disconnect" when switching video inputs on my monitor so my Macbook doesn't immediately go to sleep.
If anyone is in the market for a KVM switch, consider a USB hub first. You might find yourself satisfied. They're much less of a hassle and cost very little in comparison to a full featured KVM switch.
Crappy KVM solutions are easy. Good ones are hard.
[1] https://www.store.level1techs.com/products/hardware (no affiliation)