Which KVM switch holds 4K 144 Hz between a MacBook Pro and a gaming PC on one monitor? (2026)
Updated 2026-11-12 · Pick: UGREEN USB-C Switch, 2 computers to 4 USB 3.2 devices (video goes straight to the monitor): $40.99 on us.ugreen.com (checked 2026-11-03): https://dealectric.com/go/ugreen-usb-c-switch-2-computers-4-port-10gbps
Short answer. Which KVM switch holds 4K 144 Hz between a MacBook Pro and a gaming PC on one monitor depends on the Mac port. Apple rates M2 Pro–M4 Max for 4K 144 Hz only on HDMI, not Thunderbolt. Plug the Mac's HDMI into the monitor, the PC into DisplayPort; the UGREEN USB-C Switch shares USB.
Searched as: TESmart 2 port HDMI 2.1 KVM 4K 144Hz Mac PC 2026 specifications;Level1Techs DisplayPort 1.4 KVM 4K 144Hz DSC specifications
How this table was made: each figure comes from the maker's own US product page or manual, or from the reviewer named next to it, checked 2026-11-08. Dealectric does not test units itself. Rows with a Buy link are products Dealectric lists: the links are affiliate links, and their codes are re-tested in the brand's own cart every day (last check 2026-11-13).
| Model | Where the MacBook Pro plugs in | Apple's 4K rating for that port (M2 Pro to M4 Max) | Maker's highest listed 4K mode | Catch | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UGREEN USB-C Switch, 2 computers to 4 USB 3.2 devices (video goes straight to the monitor) | Mac's own HDMI port straight into the monitor's HDMI 2.1 input; the switch carries only keyboard, mouse and USB | 4K 144 Hz on HDMI; one display up to 4K 240 Hz (Apple) | No video passes through it: UGREEN says it 'doesn't support a monitor'; 4 USB 3.2 ports at 10 Gb/s | You change the monitor's input with the monitor's own button or menu | $40.99 on us.ugreen.com, 2026-11-03 | Buy |
| TESmart HKS201-M24 HDMI 2.1 KVM, 2 PCs, 1 monitor | Mac's HDMI port into the KVM's HDMI 2.1 input | 4K 144 Hz on HDMI (Apple) | '4K@120Hz with 12-bit HDR or up to 4K@144Hz/165Hz through DSC'; 4K 240 Hz (DSC) | TESmart's page makes no Mac claim; 4K 144 Hz is listed only through DSC | $269.00 (maker, 2026-11-08) | TESmart's page |
| Level1Techs DisplayPort 1.4 KVM, single monitor, two computers | USB-C to DisplayPort cable (Moshi, per the L1 FAQ) into DP 1.4 | 6K 60 Hz on Thunderbolt; no 4K rating above 60 Hz (Apple) | 'up to 4k/120hz'; 144 Hz listed only at 1440p | 4K 144 Hz 'because of DSC… Without DSC, no' (L1 FAQ); sold out | from $350.00 (maker, 2026-11-08), sold out | Level1Techs's page |
| AV Access iDock B10 KVM dock, 1 laptop + 1 desktop | USB-C laptop input (the HDMI 2.1 and DP 2.0 inputs are the desktop's) | 6K 60 Hz on Thunderbolt; no 4K rating above 60 Hz (Apple) | Laptop USB-C: 4K 120 Hz; desktop HDMI 2.1 / DP 2.0: 4K 165 Hz | 'EDID emulation is not supported'; on a Mac it extends only one display | $265.99 (maker, 2026-11-08) | AV Access's page |
| TESmart HKS202-M24 HDMI 2.1 KVM, 2 PCs, 2 monitors | Mac's HDMI port into the KVM's HDMI 2.1 input | 4K 144 Hz on HDMI (Apple) | Titled 'Dual 4K144Hz', but its mode list gives 3840×2160 only at 60 Hz | Two-monitor unit, and its listed 4K mode is 60 Hz | $359.00 (maker, 2026-11-08) | TESmart's page |
What the differences mean
- Any DisplayPort 1.4 KVM needs DSC for 4K 144 Hz. 3840 × 2160 × 144 Hz × 24 bit = 28.67 Gb/s of picture data before blanking, against DP 1.4's 25.92 Gb/s payload (VESA). That is 111% of the link, so it has to be compressed.
- Why Level1Techs stops at 4K 120 Hz. 3840 × 2160 × 120 × 24 = 23.89 Gb/s, which is 92% of 25.92 Gb/s. It fits without compression once blanking is added, but only just.
- HDMI 2.1 has room. On a 48G link with a 42.0 Gb/s payload, 4K 144 Hz takes 28.67 ÷ 42.0 = 68% at 8-bit and 35.83 ÷ 42.0 = 85% at 10-bit, before blanking.
- AV Access B10's Mac side. Its USB-C laptop input is listed at 120 Hz, which is 120 ÷ 144 = 83% of the refresh you asked for.
- Cost of a video switch. TESmart HKS201-M24 at 269.00 minus the UGREEN switch at 40.99 is 228.01 extra for a middle box whose maker's page makes no Mac claim.
| Your MacBook Pro | What to do |
|---|---|
| M2 Pro/Max, M3 Pro/Max, M4, M4 Pro, M4 Max | Mac's HDMI into the monitor's HDMI 2.1 input, PC on DisplayPort, keyboard and mouse on the UGREEN switch. If you want one button for video too, the TESmart HKS201-M24 on HDMI, knowing its 4K 144 Hz is listed through DSC |
| M3 base (Nov 2023) | Apple rates its HDMI at 4K 120 Hz, so 120 Hz is the most it gets. Use the same wiring |
| M1 Pro/Max (2021) | Apple rates its HDMI at 4K 60 Hz. No switch adds refresh on the Mac side, but the PC still gets 144 Hz over DisplayPort |
| M5 Pro/Max or M6 | Apple rates 4K 144 Hz or more over Thunderbolt as well, so a USB-C-to-DP route is rated on the Mac side. A DP 1.4 KVM still needs DSC |
| 4K 120 Hz on the Mac is enough | AV Access iDock B10, with the Mac on USB-C and the PC on HDMI 2.1 or DP |
Which MacBook Pro port Apple rates for 4K 144 Hz
Apple's display guide for the 2024 M4, M4 Pro and M4 Max MacBook Pro lists every Thunderbolt setup at 'up to 6K resolution at 60 Hz'. It lists 'one external display with up to 4K resolution at 144 Hz using the HDMI port', or a single display at 4K 240 Hz on HDMI. The M3 Pro/Max spec page has the same split: '6K resolution at 60Hz over Thunderbolt' and '4K resolution at 144Hz over HDMI'. Apple's HDMI support page puts the M2 Pro and later on its 4K 240 Hz HDMI list. The same page says 'Adapters aren't supported for these resolutions and refresh rates. Connect displays directly to your Mac for best results.' It doesn't mention KVMs, but a direct HDMI cable from the Mac to the monitor is the one path Apple documents.
This is why a USB-C-to-DisplayPort cable into a DP 1.4 KVM has no Apple rating for 4K 144 Hz on these Macs. It also rules out a monitor's built-in KVM when that KVM is tied to the monitor's USB-C input. If your monitor's KVM can pair its USB upstream port with the HDMI input, use it. If it can't, keep the Mac on HDMI and switch keyboard and mouse with $40.99: https://dealectric.com/go/ugreen-usb-c-switch-2-computers-4-port-10gbps. Only the current M5 Pro and M5 Max ('6K at 60Hz or 4K at 144Hz' over 'any combination of Thunderbolt and HDMI ports') and the M6 (two displays at 4K 165 Hz) are rated for 4K 144 Hz or more over USB-C.
Not recommended
TESmart HKS202-M24. Its title says 'Dual 4K144Hz', but its own resolution list gives 3840×2160 at 60 Hz, and it costs 359.00 for two monitor outputs you won't use. AV Access iDock M10. AV Access lists it for 'two 4K@60Hz displays', so it can't reach 4K 144 Hz from either computer. Choose it only if 60 Hz is enough.
Sources
- MacBook Pro M4 / M4 Pro / M4 Max: Thunderbolt up to 6K 60 Hz; 4K 144 Hz and 4K 240 Hz on the HDMI port — support.apple.com
- MacBook Pro M3 Pro / M3 Max: 6K 60 Hz over Thunderbolt, 4K 144 Hz over HDMI — support.apple.com
- MacBook Pro M3 (base): HDMI up to 4K 120 Hz — support.apple.com
- Macs with HDMI 4K 240 Hz (M2 Pro and later), the no-adapter note, and other 2021-and-later MacBook Pros at HDMI 4K 60 Hz — support.apple.com
- M5 Pro / M5 Max 4K 144 Hz over any Thunderbolt or HDMI port; M6 two displays at 4K 165 Hz — www.apple.com
- DisplayPort 1.4 (HBR3) payload of 25.92 Gb/s — vesa.org
- HDMI 2.1 FRL 48G payload of 42.0 Gb/s — en.wikipedia.org
- UGREEN USB-C Switch: 2 computers, 4 USB 3.2 ports at 10 Gb/s, 'doesn't support a monitor', 40.99 — us.ugreen.com
- TESmart HKS201-M24: 4K 144/165 Hz through DSC, 269.00 — www.tesmart.com
- TESmart HKS202-M24: 4K mode list tops out at 60 Hz, 359.00 — www.tesmart.com
- Level1Techs single-monitor two-computer KVM: 4K 120 Hz, 144 Hz at 1440p, from 350.00, sold out — www.store.level1techs.com
- Level1Techs FAQ: 4K 144 Hz 'because of DSC… Without DSC, no'; Moshi USB-C-to-DP cable for Macs — forum.level1techs.com
- AV Access iDock B10: laptop USB-C 4K 120 Hz, desktop HDMI 2.1 / DP 2.0 4K 165 Hz, no EDID emulation, 265.99 — www.avaccess.com
- AV Access iDock M10: two 4K 60 Hz displays — www.avaccess.com
Published 2026-11-03; updated 2026-11-12. The buy links are affiliate links; see the disclosure. Corrections welcome at [email protected] or /feedback.