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I have 2 desktops at the office. I use the main one in dual monitor mode and I tend to max out its meager reasources between web browsers (for code testing) a music or other media player and all of my developer tools. I want to be able to use the second machine for non-developement tasks but I do not want to have to toggle my monitor back and forth and/or switch keyboards and mice to do that.

What is the lightest weight (on the main machine) solution for controlling 2 machines from the same monitor(s)?

Both machines are WinXP sp3.

Edit

I'd like to go with a software solution that allows me to manipulate both machines more or less simultaneously. Changing my focus from the screen to a KVM to switch back and forth just to change music tracks might be more hassle than it saves in resources.

Of the various VNS client/servers and Windows's own Remote Desktop, which uses the least overhead?

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4 Answers 4

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This doesn't answer your exact question, but if you had an additional monitor for your other computer, you could use Synergy-plus to control both systems with a single keyboard and mouse. It will also synchronize the clipboards between systems.

It is a lot more usable than keeping a remote desktop session open, but of course, it does require an additional monitor.

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    +1 I have been using Synergy forever, didn't know about "plus", but it easily the best soultion, I used KVM and if you check out the screen shot on the link, that is exactly how my setup looks. I use dual monitors for one computer and a single monitor for the second computer. You can't beat the clipboard functionality either. You can't go wrong with this solution, fork out $100 bucks for the additional monitor
    – Breadtruck
    Aug 26, 2009 at 14:20
  • Wow, this looks great. I remember looking into synergy a few years ago, and it seemed too young and hard to configure at the time, but this looks much more mature. I will definitely check this out!
    – pkaeding
    Aug 26, 2009 at 14:49
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    I didn't mention it because of the single monitor requirement, but I use it myself at work and it is brilliant. 4 Desktops, 2 Machines. One running Vista and another running 7.
    – BinaryMisfit
    Aug 26, 2009 at 15:45
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VNC or Remote Desktop. Minimize/close it when you don't need the second PC.

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  • as they are both windows, remote desktop would be the easiest/fastest/best solution imo
    – Mike M
    Aug 26, 2009 at 13:45
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When you mean 'toggle' your monitor - your not excluding a KVM Switch are you?

A KVM Switch is the lightest weight solution as it is a hardware only soltuion. Note that a KVM is only going to be practical if the secondary machine is physically close to your primary machine as cables from the switch need to be run.

A Remote Desktop solution, as mentioned in other answers has no limitations on physical machine location, although being on the LAN would be preferred for performance reasons. For this case, I would go with Windows Remote Desktop. It's free, built into Windows, and I've never ever had an issue with it. I use it for all of my remote system administration within my office and at home.

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    Remote Desktop is much easier and more convenient than a KVM switch. At least it is in my experience.
    – firedfly
    Aug 26, 2009 at 13:36
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    My experience is the exact opposite. KVM switches are much easier and more convenient than Remote Desktop. To each his own...
    – Gene Gotimer
    Aug 26, 2009 at 13:46
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    If he is maxing out "meager" resources on his primary machine, he will be using up even more on that machine by running remote desktop. A KVM would have zero bearing on performance.
    – Matthew Ruston
    Aug 26, 2009 at 13:49
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    I've done both, KVM and Remote Desktop and I tend to prefer the KVM if possible, but Remote Desktop if I don't have a KVM.
    – Hondalex
    Aug 26, 2009 at 13:50
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    On the other hand Remote Desktop is sllooooowww in comparison to KVM, even on our local 100 MBit network.
    – Adrian Grigore
    Aug 26, 2009 at 20:27
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I bought a cheap DVI switch from Amazon for about 11 EUR. It's not a full-blown KVM, but if you are only looking for a way to switch monitor signals that's probably the cheapest solution. Despite some negative reviews at amazon, it does work well on my system. No problems with playback of Blu-Ray DVDs either. And it's not as slow and sluggish as RemoteDesktop.

Edit: Combine this with Synergy-plus as Dlux suggested and you should be done.

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