I got a DeLock KVM switch recommended by the shop vendor (who actually did spend a good 15 min understanding my need and doing web searches), and quickly confirmed by ChatGPT as a solution to my need (plug the work macbook alongside my personal linux tower, no exchange of data between hosts, no driver needed, and do a KVM switch).
I actually end up using 2 mice and switching the keyboard from bluetooth (for the mac) to usb (for the linux) because I can't get usb working through the HDMI. And the screen is limited to 120hz (instead of 144hz) because of the switch quality or the HDMI cables, I do not know (it lights up and works for a minute and then goes black a few seconds every few seconds, losing sync).
In the end it is more tedious and less featureful than just plugging the mac to the screen via a USB to HDMI cable, switching everything from the screen (and doing the same mice / keyboard juggle than above), because at least I would get the 144hz and save the 150€ from the switch. I can't return it anymore because the 15 day window has passed so I still use it, it's a little bit easier to switch from the remote control than from the screen anyway, but that's expensive just to switch from a different button.
I ended up using an UGreen dusplayport switch AND separate USB switch.
It turns out that most of the kvm switches can't handle well usb mice with high polling rate like Logitech G502 X Plus.
Now I need to press two buttons when switching from the gaming pc to the MacBook, but everything works.
My experience: I was using synergy to handle a Windows and a Linux machine, and later display-switch, but they started to be flagged as suspicious by our corporate AV. I tried some external KVM but couldn’t find one which was reliable for 4K. I ended up buying a Dell monitor with a built in KVM and have been using that ever since.
You can get two in one out kvms for pretty cheap these days. I got mine which is a three in, one out KVM with support for three displays all at 4k120hz along with 4 usb ports for about 20 bucks (although that was at one of those Amazon returns stores. New it would have been around 120 bucks, but totally worth it. I have my work mac and my personal laptop on the left/right of a 4k144hz monitor (although as others have noticed usually you're limited to 120hz through a KVM, but that's fine for me), along with my home server connected for the odd time I need a direct connection to it. Would recommend.
I just use a usb switch to switch keyboard and mouse. For display input switching , I bought couple of dell ips monitors that allow switching via keyboard hot keys.
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[ 2.7 ms ] story [ 22.9 ms ] threadno monitor switching needed, although i did hook up a hub for more usb ports.
I actually end up using 2 mice and switching the keyboard from bluetooth (for the mac) to usb (for the linux) because I can't get usb working through the HDMI. And the screen is limited to 120hz (instead of 144hz) because of the switch quality or the HDMI cables, I do not know (it lights up and works for a minute and then goes black a few seconds every few seconds, losing sync).
In the end it is more tedious and less featureful than just plugging the mac to the screen via a USB to HDMI cable, switching everything from the screen (and doing the same mice / keyboard juggle than above), because at least I would get the 144hz and save the 150€ from the switch. I can't return it anymore because the 15 day window has passed so I still use it, it's a little bit easier to switch from the remote control than from the screen anyway, but that's expensive just to switch from a different button.