Synergy by Symless - one keyboard, one mouse, multiple computers
Synergy is an elegant and efficient solution for users who work simultaneously on several computers.
A week ago, we started using Synergy in the Cyber Shield , installing it on four computers with different operating systems - two MacBook Pros with macOS, one PC with Windows 10, and one laptop with Ubuntu 23.10. At the moment, Synergy 3 is not available on Raspberry Pi either, but it's a matter of time because I saw that they are quite close to releasing a version for ARMs with Wayland support as well.
Synergy is more than just software; is a tool that unifies multiple computers under the control of a single keyboard and mouse. The concept is simple, but its impact on productivity is significant.
Synergy allows the user to work on multiple computers as if they were one.
Who are Synergy's parents?
The first iteration of Synergy was CosmoSynergy, created by Cosmo Software in late 1996. CosmoSynergy was created to solve a problem: most engineers at Cosmo Software had both an Irix and a Windows system on their desks, and KVM switches were expensive and annoying.
Although the software was successful among employees, Cosmo Software decided not to market it, and the company was later shut down.
Synergy is a rewrite of CosmoSynergy from the ground up. It offers most of the original features and adds some improvements.
Symless, the company behind Synergy
In 2008, founded by Nick Bolton, Symless took over the development of Synergy.
Synergy+ was created in 2009 to fix bugs inherited from the original version which had not been updated since early 2006.
Currently, software updates are constantly being released to ensure that Synergy works on the latest versions of Windows, macOS and various Linux distributions.
Installation and configuration
Installing Synergy on different operating systems was surprisingly easy. The intuitive interface and easy-to-follow setup process make Synergy an accessible choice even for those without advanced technical knowledge. In the case of the Cyber Shield , connecting the computers was done quickly and without compatibility issues or complex adjustments.
Performance in various work environments
What I liked most about using Synergy was the lack of any delay between switching from one system to another. Whether I was switching from macOS to Windows or Ubuntu, the transition was instantaneous, fluid like when you have multiple monitors, not computers. And precisely because everything is fluent, over time you get the impression that you actually have several monitors. If you use a Windows keyboard, be careful what keys you press when you copy/paste on MacOS 🙂
Classic hardware equipment (eg KVMs) need the manual action of switching between devices which means lost seconds and you always have to remember which computer was on button 1, which computer was on button 2 and so on.
I use Logitech's MX's which can be programmed to connect with 3 devices. But I have to press the physical button on the keyboard to switch, then press the button under the mouse, and only then go back to what I was working on.
Space saving and flexibility
Another significant advantage of Synergy is space saving. For us every inch of desk space is precious and eliminating extra keyboards and mice has freed up valuable space, contributing to a more organized and efficient work environment.
This is another reason I became a fan of Synergy. I have 4 rigs that I use constantly on one desk and another 5 Raspberry Pis that I run Synergy 1 on another desk. That would mean having at least 2 keyboards and 2 mice on each desk 🙂 With Synergy, I have only one mouse and one keyboard and the feeling is like when I have multi-screen, not multi-device.
Security and privacy
An essential aspect in choosing any software is data security. That's all we deal with at Cyber Shield . Synergy uses TLS/SSL encryption, ensuring that all data transmitted between connected computers is secure. Additionally, not requiring an internet connection for operation adds an extra layer of security.
Synergy proves to be a robust and reliable solution for those who work in parallel with several computers. Synergy 3 comes as an update of Synergy 1 with an interface rebuilt from scratch and the auto-discovery functionality that allows the recognition of all the equipment in the network that has installed the software, without the need to enter new IP addresses or other coordinates of the equipment .
Price and benefits
The basic package costs $29 and allows connection to a maximum of 3 computers , with one year of support and updates
$59 package allows the connection of 15 computers , 5 years of support and updates, the configuration of some hotkeys and the encryption of the TLS/SSL connection.
Both packages allow you to download Synergy "for life" but update only during the validity period of the subscription.