How to leverage a desktop iMacPro with a Macbook Pro?

Trapped at home with COVID (not diagnosed, but sheltering in place). My company will not allow me to install VPN software on my desktop (an iMac Pro). However, I have my Macbook Pro 16 with me that does have VPN.

My hope was to be able to mirror the screen via Thunderbolt so I could take advantage of the larger monitor. I was also hoping to reuse the wireless keyboard and mouse from my iMac Pro.

Is there an easy way to in effect turn the iMac Pro in to a display while (easily) switching the mouse and keyboard between desktop and laptop? I am fine twice a day reconnecting Bluetooth between them if necessary but hoping there is a more lightweight solution.

Stay healthy and safe all!


I would use NoMachine for macOS for this.

Basically, install NoMachine on both computers, and setup the MacBook Pro as a NoMachine server (and note the IP address). Connect to it from the iMac, and you'll be able to quickly switch control between the two computers with a keystroke and mouse-click. You can control the MacBook Pro almost as though you sitting at the console: either in full screen or a separate window. NoMachine is very configurable: it forwards audio, connects to local devices, etc.