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Two laptops sharing one monitor, and peripherals -> is KVM splitter the only option?

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  • 12-03-2024 10:24am
    #1
    shoutman
    Registered Users Posts: 6,924 ✭✭✭


    I have two laptops (work and personal) and currently use an anker USB C hub to connect my peripherals to and then plug in the usb c to whichever laptop I'm using at the time.

    But naturally, I'm a lazy man and would like to do away with having to switch the USB C's between the laptops...


    Is there a device that is effectively the usb c hub but with two usb c's to plug into both laptops and a toggle to switch between them?


    One of my laptops does not have a HDMI port...


    Thanks



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    #2
    Lu Tze
    Registered Users Posts: 3,495 ✭✭✭Lu Tze


    I have a desktop and a work laptop when working from home. I have a usb hub thing that has 4 usb inputs (for mouse, keyboard etc) and 4 outputs (laptop, desktop +2 more). It has button to switch the outputs from laptop to desktop and vice versa. For the screen(s) I just change the video input using the button on the monitor to switch from laptop to desktop and vice versa.


    https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B07RC8F2L3?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title&th=1



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    #3
    donspeekinglesh
    Registered Users Posts: 1,861 ✭✭✭donspeekinglesh


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121882442#Comment_121882442

    This is exactly what I do with a similar device. It has worked perfectly for a few years now. Since I never have my personal and work machines on at the same time, I just leave the monitors in Auto-Select mode, and they'll always change to the machine that's on.



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    #4
    shoutman
    Registered Users Posts: 6,924 ✭✭✭shoutman


    Would this provide power to your laptops also?



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    #5
    donspeekinglesh
    Registered Users Posts: 1,861 ✭✭✭donspeekinglesh


    No. My laptop is connected to a docking station for power, screens and network.

    The USB switch is only for moving the USB devices between the 2 machines (speaker, keyboard/mouse)



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    #6
    Flinty997
    Registered Users Posts: 11,521 ✭✭✭✭Flinty997


    You can get a switcher with all the connections. I went through a few of them. All stopped working after a while. No idea why. I do the usb hub and just reconnect the hdmi or use the monitor switch.



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    #7
    Tails142
    Registered Users Posts: 2,103 ✭✭✭Tails142


    Multiplicity is a software kvm.


    You could remote into one of the machines from the other using Parsec also which is excellent in terms of latency. There is a standalone version that doesn't require installation which might be useful to run on your work machine and remote into your personal.



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