Share monitor, keyboard, and mouse between desktop and laptop

[ah6tyfour]

I'm looking for a device that will let me share a monitor, keyboard, and mouse between a desktop and a laptop. Does this exist? I assume I would plug both the laptop dock and the desktop to this central device which would then let me switch between the two computers at the flip of a switch.

[edit]
Oh, did some searching around and realized I need a KVM switch. It will let me share monitor, keyboard, mouse, and speakers between two computers.

Which KVM switch do you recommend?
[/edit]

[lainx]

If you're only after sharing keyboard and mouse between two computers, i could gladly recommend this software;
Welcome - Synergy

I've used it from time to time without problems.

Can't recommend a KVM switch though, but i'd assume they would perform similar to each other, but have different connection options.

[debguy]

KVM switches are traditionally used for server applications which means that they tend not to meet the latency requirements of some home desktop users (gaming, videos).
I'm not saying that there aren't any suitable KVM switches but one should keep that in mind when buying one.
I can't recommend a specific model though.

[saturnotaku]

I've used a few inexpensive KVMs, and they've worked well. If you're OK using a standard VGA connection for the monitor and do not have a high-power mouse and keyboard like with some gaming peripherals, you would be fine with something like this. KVM switches that support DVI ports are a lot more money and generally not worth it unless you have a very specific need for it.

If you're using HDMI to connect to your monitor, you could get away with using this for the video and the Synergy software mentioned above for the keyboard and mouse.

[ah6tyfour]

Thanks everyone!

Is there a KVM switch that has one DVI output with one DVI input and one VGA input? My dell laptop does not have DVI (although, if I have it on a dock with DVI, I assume the dock could output DVI).

But perhaps the Synergy software is the way to go. I can then plug desktop to monitor via DVI and the laptop to the same monitor via VGA. I can then just switch between inputs to choose whether I'm displaying the desktop or the laptop.

[saturnotaku]

But perhaps the Synergy software is the way to go. I can then plug desktop to monitor via DVI and the laptop to the same monitor via VGA. I can then just switch between inputs to choose whether I'm displaying the desktop or the laptop.

That would be your best bet.