Although I have written about Macs so far, I do also have a Windows computer. I built it after becoming frustrated with the lack of gaming options on Macs, as while they have grown considerably in the past few years, many are still Windows exclusives. However, while I am pleased with my decision to have a more work/study focused Mac and a more recreational Windows, challenges are presented in using and swapping between them.

Environment

Initially, I hooked my Windows computer to the television in the room, but while sofa gaming works for video consoles, I found it more difficult for games designed to be played at a desk. While working technically, due to ergonomic issues with keyboard shortcuts and small detailed text on the screen, I found it to be a difficult and frustrating experience. However, I had limited space in the room, so I could not fit a whole new desk setup elsewhere, and thus knew I had to combine my Mac desk setup with the Windows PC.

Hardware

The Mac setup on my desk is as follows:

• 1x iMac
• 2x Monitors
• 1x Keyboard
• 1x Mouse
• 1x Microphone
• 1x Drawing Tablet
• 1x RGB Deskmat
• 1x PC Speaker Setup
• 1x Wired Headphones

Connecting to internet and LAN is not an issue due to a lack of ethernet in the room, having to rely on WiFi instead. However, the addition of a switch would resolve these issues.

Granted, not all of these would be required on the Windows – it would be unlikely I’d need to use the drawing tablet, but a microphone might be handy when gaming with others. As such, I wanted to make as much of the existing setup to be shared between the two machines.

USBs

Anything USB related had a simple solution:

1. Plug a male-to-female long USB cable in each machine, have both cable ends rest on the desk.
2. Place a USB hub in the middle of the desk.
3. Plug the USB devices I will be using into the USB hub.
4. Simply plug the USB hub into the cable end of the machine I will be using. When switching machines, just unplug the USB hub from one end, and place it in the other.

The cables could be labeled, but I just remember the Mac is on the left, and the Windows is on the right.

Monitors

Remembering the USB cables this way is easy for me as the iMac has been placed on my left, and the Windows PC is on the floor to my right.

I initially had the iMac in the centre of my three monitor setup, but instantly realised it would not work when swapping. This is because only certain iMacs can be used used as an external display, so while I am using my Windows machine, the iMac’s screen will simply be off, and placing this to the side just makes sense.

The two remaining monitors have multiple connections and buttons to switch between these inputs. As such, my main monitor placed in front of me connects to the iMac via DisplayPort, and with the Windows via HDMI. The secondary monitor is much older, connecting to the iMac via HDMI, but only with DVI to the Windows. When swapping between the two machines, I press the buttons on the two monitors to select their other inputs, and the screens change easily.

Audio

Although I could easily use my Bluetooth headphones for both machines, as it would automatically connect to the relevant machine when it turns on, I wanted the opportunity to use my speakers as well as my higher quality wired headphones.

The end result is a bit janky, but works without any issues. Two magic ingredients make it functional, the first being the controller which came with the PC speakers. The controller connects to the back of the subwoofer using an RCA input, and then sits neatly on the desk, able to control the volume with a dial. Crucially, it has two connections at the front, an output for headphones and an input for an external connection, both using 3.5mm.

The headphones output is self-explanatory, I can plug my headphones in and the audio cuts from the speakers and plays into headphones instead. The second output though is vital, it is designed to quickly plug a device in, such as a phone or tablet, to play audio via the speakers. I use it to connect the speakers to a secondhand DAC I have via a RCA-to-3.5mm cable. I also have a USB-to-USB connection from the iMac to the DAC, and another connection of TOSLINK-to-TOSLINK from the Windows to the DAC. At the front of the DAC is a button to switch inputs, and I can toggle between the iMac and the Windows, and am able to also plug my headphones in when necessary.

Final Thoughts

I am more satisfied with the end result as I thought I would be, thinking I would need two extra elements to create a perfect setup. I believed I would need the three monitors on the Windows machine, but as I am only gaming there, a main monitor for the game and a second for Discord or a music player, is all I really need.

Secondly, I thought I was miss gaming from my sofa, and felt I needed to purchase a long HDMI cable to connect the Windows machine to the television. However, since I making the change a few months ago, I have not felt the need at all, being perfectly satisfied with staying at the desk. Nonetheless, if I do change my mind, adding a cable would be a simple adjustment to the setup.