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Some people are *ahem* spoiled with their multi-computer setups. Personally, I rely on something known as Virtual Desktops to emulate the feeling of running multiple machines. Until I strike it rich, there really is no other option short of going for a dual monitor setup – make one desktop look like one operating system, and the second desktop look like a completely different one. Smart right?

For those that multi-task on multiple machines but what rather do away with something like a KVM Switch, why not make use of two great utilities to control multiple machines with a single keyboard and mouse.

For those devoted to the half eaten Apple, check out abyssoft’s teleport.

teleport is a simple utility to let you use one single mouse and keyboard to control several of your Macs. Works on Panther and Tiger (sorry, no more Jaguar support). Simply reach the edge of your screen, and your mouse teleports to your other Mac! The pasteboard can even be synchronized between the computers.

Oh so simple. I borrowed someone else Mac to line up next to mine just to see how smoothly teleport worked. Consistent Apple mantra – it just works.

On the grassier side of the fence, check out Synergy.

Synergy lets you easily share a single mouse and keyboard between multiple computers with different operating systems, each with its own display, without special hardware. It’s intended for users with multiple computers on their desk since each system uses its own monitor(s).

Redirecting the mouse and keyboard is as simple as moving the mouse off the edge of your screen. Synergy also merges the clipboards of all the systems into one, allowing cut-and-paste between systems. Furthermore, it synchronizes screen savers so they all start and stop together and, if screen locking is enabled, only one screen requires a password to unlock them all.

A little more tedious to setup compared to teleport. The upside? Windows users can enjoy the mouse jumping magic.