It can get quite inefficient to manage several computers running side by side. Many users working from home, studying, or using several systems find themselves managing separate keyboards and mice. Interruptions caused by switching between them break the concentration. They make even simple tasks, like file copying or looking up information on another screen, quite slow. Hardware solutions will require you to spend more money or add to the mess. Software-based tools for sharing input, such as Input Director, are intended to simplify your system. They give you only one keyboard and mouse. You can control several Windows PCs without interruption.
A Practical Approach to Multi-PC Control
Basically, Input Director is a software that connects a group of computers within the same network. It is very simple to use. After it is configured, you can shift the mouse pointer from one screen to the other. This gives control to the second computer. It is almost like using several monitors. After a bit of practice, it is a very natural way of doing things. If you work with a desktop and a laptop, or just a triple desktop setup, Input Director can help you. It can achieve a great reduction of frustration. Among other things, text copying or file dragging between computers is much faster. It is faster than unassisted approaches, such as a USB stick or cloud synchronization.
Technically, master and slave are the terms used for the two devices here. It is not as complicated as it sounds. It is very easy to work with. The master or main device is the one to which the input devices are connected. Other devices, aka slaves, get their input commands transmitted over a network. If the network connection is strong enough, then the setup usually lasts a long time without problems.
Set Up Experience and Learning Curve
Input Director requires some knowledge of computer networking. This might prove difficult for some. But even so, most users should be able to manage basic setup within an hour or so without any profound knowledge. Giving each PC a role, keying up IP addresses or hostnames, and setting up screen arrangements need some attention. But the interface is simple. Besides, it is well exposed to assist the user.
According to my experience, most people might be able to start the initial setup within ten or twenty minutes. The main thing that users need to consider here is that all the systems must be connected to the same network. Firewalls must be adjusted properly. The software works silently in the background. The rest of the time, the user does not even have to worry about it. This indeed is the reason why many people find it a very good long-term option.
However, it is likely that it is not as plug-and-play as some contemporary replacements are. Users who want the program to be up and running immediately after installation, with the least intervention, will probably find the setup steps a bit too much.
Performance and Everyday Reliability
When used on a stable local area network, Input Director achieves a very decent level of performance most of the time. Pointing the mouse towards one computer works like magic. Moving it to another also works smoothly. The keyboard recognizes the input thoroughly. The responsiveness is high enough. Only very seldom does it interfere with your work while performing any normal office task, e.g., writing, browsing, programming, or file locating.
In 99% of cases, clipboard sharing will work as expected. It enables you to transfer not only text but also small files without any problems. But when you have a big file, it is better to rely on traditional means. Heavy data movement is not the one Input Director excels at.
If all other things are equal, the reliability of the connection also depends on the stability of the network. This is one drawback of this software. In case of connection problems, the response time of the system may be affected. The connection may even be completely broken for some time. For those who always connect via unstable Wi-Fi networks, this may sometimes cause interruptions in workflow.
Where the Input Director Fits Best
Input Director primarily will be a good choice for people who only occasionally or regularly use two or more Windows PCs set up side by side. For example, students who use a laptop in addition to a desktop, developers who are testing different configurations, and home users who have two or more PCs may get the maximum benefit.
The future combined operating system is one limitation, however. The emphasis of the program is on Windows systems within one network. So it is not suitable for high mobility setups or mixed OS competition purposes. However, it will give you the opportunity to achieve a hardware-free and clean desk arrangement if you want to. This can be done without spending much money. So it definitely will be a very practical and effective option.
Its benefit, when put into practice, is mainly getting rid of those tiny breaks. These breaks always add up whenever you do the same task over and over again. Most importantly, it rewires and harmonizes commands to a single device. This helps the user to easily keep focus. It avoids unnecessarily making the process more complex.