keyboard/mouse switcher/KVM

[n0x1ous]

So I have 2 main systems that I want to share just the keyboard and mouse on, not the display, as that already has multiple inputs.

They are both gaming machines with 1000hz polling on the mouse and keyboard and the monitor is 120hz so its important that I don't add latency, but is there any device where i can flick a switch and switch a keyboard and mouse between 2 machines?

I have been unable to find such a thing to this point.......

 

[SOFTengCOMPelec]

Many/most KVM switches use digital circuitry, which would very likely cause you bad latency. (As I think the signals get processed by a micro-controller, which delays things).

But you can also get mechanically switched KVM switch boxes. (i.e. simple on/off switches inside KVM, which DON'T introduce delays, they pass the signals straight through).

Are your mouse/keyboard PS2 or USB ?

You can definitely get mechanical USB switch boxes (one way), and might be able to get 2 way ones (i.e. they switch between 2 different usb ports, between up to 4 different computers).
Failing that could you put up with pressing 2 switches, to change over ?

Example of what I am talking about

 

[n0x1ous]

razer usb mouse keyboard. i am fine pushing switches - i just want to settle on cable management and stop unhooking/rehooking

 

[SOFTengCOMPelec]

razer usb mouse keyboard. i am fining pushing switches - i just want to settle on cable management and stop unhooking/rehooking

I've used an almost identical USB switch box (to the one I linked to above myself), and it is working really well, as a KVM usb switch.
Linux happily accepts the changeover, without any apparent bad effects (and I would imagine windows would do the same).

By remarkable luck (I'm not worried about latency myself, on the KVM setup), my keyboard has a usb socket built into it for a mouse, so I only need a single USB port.
Hence I can choose which computer, by only pressing one switch.

I agree, it's horrible swapping between two keyboard/mice all the time, and the cables can get into a mess etc.

 

[n0x1ous]

for that price id be silly not to try it. thank you for the help

 

[SOFTengCOMPelec]

for that price id be silly not to try it. thank you for the help

You're welcome!

Ideally make sure you have the correct type of USB leads to patch into them. Hopefully you can see the type from the picture (I've forgotten what they are called, type A to B or something).

EDIT: From your description of your set-up, you would need TWO of the switch boxes. One for the mouse and one for the keyboard. (your requirement of 0 latency, rules out combining the mouse/keyboard with adaptors (usually for laptops, and can be a real pain to get to work, i.e. risky that they can't work) or suitable keyboards with USB mouse input sockets), as there would be a risk they would introduce a delay.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Can you see both displays at all times? If yes, Synergy may possibly work, it's a software solution though, but if your main PC is your gaming one and the other is not that critical you make the main one the "server" and then the other one the client. For gaming you would hit scroll lock which would lock the mouse in the main screen so it does not force the game to minimize when it goes off screen.