controlling a Windows 7 laptop with a MacBook's input devices and switching between them

Question

I have a MacBook Pro 2011 running OSX Snow Leopard and a Windows 7 laptop, both wirelessly connected to the same home network. 

 I want to be able to control my Windows 7 laptop via my Mac's keyboard and trackpad in a way that I can transfer input control from one laptop over to the other by means of a simple keystroke combination  (or something equally uncomplicated). I'm not interested in the Windows laptop's display being mirrored and taking up screen real estate on my MacBook's display as both the laptops will be placed side by side and I want to look at the Windows 7 laptop's display directly.

Basically I'm just looking to save myself the trouble of having to use two keyboards and trackpads to operate two laptops placed next to each other and manage both with the input devices of the Mac. 

I'm guessing some sort of remote desktop is needed, but don't know which one would be ideal for my requirement? (i.e. no screen mirroring)

Any suggestions (including alternative approaches) would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Synergy

It lets you move the mouse off the edge of one screen and onto the other much like when you are using multiple monitors from the same computer, except obviously you are controlling a separate computer on each monitor. It's awesome and best of all its free.

Answer 2

You could use LogMeIn - https://secure.logmein.com/UK/

Answer 3

http://synergy-foss.org/

Open-source software that you install on your Mac and Windows PC. Move your mouse over to a part of the screen and voila, you're now controlling the other computer.

So, if you have your Mac on the left and your Windows on the right, you can move your mouse to the right part of your screen on the Mac and it'll start controlling your Windows system. And, vice versa. Pretty awesome.