Why Choose CKS203-PM24

Overview

Two USB-C laptops share three HDMI monitors through a TESmart DisplayLink KVM, with a USB-C input connection highlighted.

01

Three Screens. Two Laptops. One USB-C Cable Each.

Build a three-monitor workspace that either connected laptop can use. DisplayLink technology enables multi-screen extension on compatible Macs and PCs without relying on MST. Connect each laptop through a full-featured USB-C port and install the free DisplayLink driver on both computers before using the triple-display workflow.

Three monitor configuration examples show all displays assigned to PC1 and a mixed layout with two displays on PC1 and one on PC2.

02

Assign Each Screen to the Laptop You Need

Use all three monitors with one laptop or assign individual monitors to different laptops. Switch Monitor A, B, or C separately when you need to view work from both systems side by side, or switch all three together to move your entire workspace. Keyboard and mouse control can be changed independently in a mixed-source setup.

03

One Shared Dock for Both Laptops

Keep monitors, USB peripherals, audio and a Gigabit Ethernet connection at one workstation instead of reconnecting devices whenever you change laptops. Each USB-C computer input supports up to 65W Power Delivery for a compatible laptop. Shared USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports provide data transfer at up to 5Gbps.

Resolution comparison illustration showing 3840 × 2160, 2560 × 1440 and 1920 × 1080, with supported resolution and refresh rate examples.

04

From 4K Detail to High-Refresh Full HD

Each of the three HDMI monitor outputs supports up to 3840 × 2160 at 60Hz. The provided performance chart also illustrates selected lower-resolution, higher-refresh configurations, including 1920 × 1080 at 240Hz. Actual performance depends on the host computer, monitor, HDMI cable and display settings.

Side-by-side monitor-switching illustration compares desktop behavior without an EDID feature and with EDID management enabled; actual mode is EDID Isolation.

05

Keep Each PC Focused on Its Assigned Displays

Enable EDID Isolation when the two laptops are using different monitors. Each computer then recognizes only the monitor paths currently assigned to it, helping prevent windows or the pointer from moving to a screen used by the other laptop. EDID Isolation is off by default and can be enabled from the front panel.

Two laptops share three monitors, keyboard, mouse, audio headset and printer, illustrating independent USB and audio focus control.

06

Control Where USB and Audio Stay

USB devices and audio normally follow the computer under keyboard and mouse control. Turn Follow Mode off when you want USB and audio to remain with one laptop while changing the displays, then switch that USB/audio channel manually whenever needed. Brief USB reconnections may occur during channel changes.

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Specifications & Support

Compatibility & Input Guide

Computers:

Connect two compatible USB-C laptops, one to PC1 and one to PC2, using the two included 1.5 m USB-C cables. Each laptop USB-C port must support both video output and USB data for the intended triple-monitor workflow; compatible Thunderbolt USB-C ports may be used. Install the appropriate DisplayLink driver on BOTH computers before use.

Displays:

Connect three HDMI monitors to OUTPUT A, OUTPUT B, and OUTPUT C using HDMI cables (not listed among the included accessories). Each output supports up to 3840 × 2160 at 60Hz; actual performance depends on the laptop, monitor, cables, and display settings. These are HDMI outputs, not Thunderbolt display outputs; Apple Studio Display is outside the declared compatibility scope.

Systems:

Windows, macOS, Linux and Ubuntu are listed in the manual; verify that DisplayLink software is available for the specific OS/version. DisplayLink multi-screen operation does not require macOS MST support.

Peripherals:

Connect a keyboard and mouse to the dedicated K&M port, optional USB devices to the USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, a headset or microphone to the 3.5mm port, and a router/switch to RJ45 if needed. Higher-power USB devices may need external power.

Important:

HDR is listed as available, but VRR, DSC and HDCP are not in this model’s declared compatibility scope. USB-C Power Delivery supports up to 65W per laptop input, subject to device compatibility.

Technical Specifications

Model: CKS203-PM24
Product Type: 2-computer, 3-monitor DisplayLink USB-C KVM switch
Computer Inputs: 2 × full-featured USB-C (PC1, PC2)
Display Outputs: 3 × HDMI (OUTPUT A/B/C)
Maximum Resolution: Up to 3840 × 2160 @ 60Hz per display
Maximum Video Bandwidth: 18Gbps
Display Technology: DisplayLink (driver required on each host)
Shared USB: USB 3.2 Gen 1, up to 5Gbps; up to 7.5W per USB port
Keyboard & Mouse: Dedicated K&M connection; Pass-Through / Legacy Emulation modes
Audio: 3.5mm audio/microphone connection; USB/audio follow or manual focus switching
Network: Shared Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45), up to 1000Mbps
Charging: Up to 65W USB-C PD on each computer input
Switching Methods: Front-panel buttons, keyboard hotkeys, mouse wheel, IR remote; external button panel via service port
Display Management: Per-monitor selection, all-display cycling, EDID Isolation (off by default)
Other Features: RGB light modes; adjustable fan and buzzer settings
Power Input: DC 20V/7.5A
Dimensions: 230 × 112.5 × 44.5 mm
Operating Systems: Windows, macOS, Linux/Ubuntu with compatible DisplayLink drivers
Operating Temperature: 0–55°C (32–131°F)

Included in the Box

  • 1 × CKS203-PM24 KVM Switch

  • 1 × DC 20V Power Adapter

  • 2 × USB-C Cables (1.5 m)

  • 1 × IR Remote Control

  • 1 × User Manual

Compare your options

Compare computer connections, monitor outputs and charging, then choose a model from each menu.

DisplayLink models require compatible drivers on each computer using the DisplayLink connection. CKS203-PM24 requires a video-capable USB-C port on each laptop. Check Mac compatibility and monitor connections on the product page.

Explore the full lineup

Model

CKS203-PM24

Model

HDC203-PM24

Model

TKS202-X4

Connected devices

2 USB-C laptops

Connected devices

1 USB-C laptop + 1 HDMI/DP desktop

Connected devices

2× PCs (Thunderbolt™ 4)

Display setup

3 × HDMI monitors

Display setup

3 monitors

Display setup

2× Apple Studio Displays

Video resolution

Up to 3 × 4K60 simultaneously

Video resolution

Up to triple 4K60

Video resolution

Up to 6K@60Hz / 5K@120Hz

Laptop charging

Up to 65W per laptop (2 laptops)

Laptop charging

Up to 100W for the laptop

Laptop charging

2× 60W

Display technology / software

DisplayLink; compatible driver required on both laptops

Display technology / software

DisplayLink on the laptop connection; compatible driver required

Display technology / software

Thunderbolt-compatible video; check host external-display support

Best for

Two Macs or compatible USB-C laptops sharing three HDMI monitors

Best for

A Mac or compatible laptop and a desktop sharing a triple-monitor workspace

Best for

Two Macs or Win Laptops(Thunderbolt 4) sharing two Apple Studio Displays

FAQ's

Visit our Help Center for more answers.

[Compatibility] Can I use CKS203-PM24 with two MacBooks?

Yes. Connect each MacBook through a compatible USB-C port that supports video output and USB data, and install the appropriate DisplayLink driver on both computers. This setup can provide three external HDMI display outputs without relying on macOS MST support. Confirm your macOS version is supported by the driver.

[Compatibility] Does my laptop need a video-capable USB-C port?

Yes. For the specified triple-monitor configuration, each laptop requires a USB-C port that supports video output and USB data (DP Alt Mode or Thunderbolt); a data-only or charging-only USB-C port does not meet the stated connection requirements. 

[Compatibility] Which operating systems are supported?

According to the current Synaptics official website, it supports the following five operating systems: macOS, Windows, ChromeOS, Linux, and Android. The intended multi-monitor workflow requires a compatible DisplayLink driver on each connected laptop. Check driver availability for your exact operating system and version before purchase.

[Compatibility] Can I connect Apple Studio Displays or other USB-C-only monitors?

This KVM has three HDMI monitor outputs. Connect compatible HDMI monitors to OUTPUT A, B and C. Apple Studio Display is outside this model's declared compatibility scope; the KVM does not provide native Thunderbolt display output.

[Compatibility] What resolutions and refresh rates can I use?

Supports simultaneous output of up to three 3840 × 2160 @ 60Hz displays. The product artwork shows lower-resolution, higher-refresh-rate combinations, including 2560 × 1440 @ 120Hz and 1920 × 1080 @ 240Hz, but achievable modes depend on the computer, monitors, cables, and settings. HDR is listed as supported; due to DisplayLink driver limitations, HDCP-encrypted video source output cannot be supported.

[Features & Connections] Can I display both laptops on the three monitors at the same time?

Yes. You can assign the three monitor outputs individually to PC1 or PC2, such as two screens for one laptop and one for the other. You can also switch all three screens to the same laptop. In a mixed-source layout, switch keyboard and mouse focus separately as needed.

[Features & Connections] Can the KVM charge both laptops?

Yes. Both USB-C computer input ports support Power Delivery charging up to 65W per connected compatible laptop. Actual charging depends on the laptop's power requirements and USB-C power negotiation.

[Features & Connections] Which devices can the two laptops share?

The laptops can share three HDMI monitors, a keyboard and mouse, USB 3.2 Gen 1 peripherals, an audio device through the 3.5mm audio/microphone connection, and one Gigabit Ethernet uplink. USB data transfer supports up to 5Gbps, with up to 7.5W power supply; some high-power USB devices require external power.

[Features & Connections] Can I keep USB devices and audio on one laptop when switching monitors?

Yes. USB/audio follow mode is enabled by default, so those devices normally follow the currently controlled computer. Disable follow mode to keep the USB/audio channel on its current laptop, and switch that channel manually when needed. USB peripherals may reconnect briefly during a channel change.

[Features & Connections] What does EDID Isolation do?

When enabled, EDID Isolation allows each laptop to recognize only the monitor paths currently assigned to it. This can help prevent application windows or the pointer from moving to a display assigned to the other laptop. It is disabled by default and can be toggled using the front-panel EDID button.

[Setup & Switching] Do I need to install software before connecting the monitors?

Yes. Install the official DisplayLink driver on both laptops for the intended triple-screen functionality. On macOS, approve the required permissions when prompted. Then connect the HDMI monitors, the two USB-C host cables, peripherals and power adapter.

[Setup & Switching] How can I switch computers and individual monitors?

Use the front-panel buttons, keyboard hotkeys, supplied IR remote or mouse-wheel switching. The A, B and C buttons switch the corresponding monitor individually; the orange Switch button switches all monitors together. For keyboard shortcuts, press Right Ctrl twice within one second, then the command key.

[Setup & Switching] Can I change the keyboard and mouse compatibility mode?

Yes. The dedicated keyboard/mouse connection supports Pass-Through Mode and Legacy Emulation Mode. Pass-Through is the default; press 【Right Ctrl】twice and then F2 to toggle modes if a keyboard or mouse behaves abnormally.

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