I have the opportunity to replace my work Linux Laptop with a Macbook Pro, next year.

My current Laptop  is docked to a port replicator, which is connected to a couple screens (19" & 20") via DVI ports. Its worked well for me for a number of years, but I am looking for a change to a bigger screen.

Originally I was thinking to use a 27" iMac (second hand ... late 2012 model with Thunderbolt ports) and share the display with Target display mode, but there seems to be limitation what it can do (e.g. not sharing keyboard/mouse). I found a couple 3rd party apps that can switch the screen/keyboard/mouse using a key combination from software, but heard people still have issues with that.

The iMac would also be a personal desktop for me, rather than relying on a VM (as I do now)

So has anyone done this? ... or would just purchasing a separate large screen/keyboard/mouse etc be less hassle/work better?