USB c switch between desktop and laptop.

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D1023319

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#273008 30-Jul-2020 13:14

i have been working from home with a duel monitor setup.
i bought a box that i plug my monitors into along with keyboard and mouse.
This box has a usb c out cable that i either plug into my desktop or swap to my laptop.

This works well but my usb c input plug on desktop is wearing out.

Is there a device i can leave my box plugged into with two usb-c outlet cables one of which i can leave permanently plugged into my desktop usb-c . a switch would determine which outlet cable is in use.

or am i going about this wrong?

timmmay

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#2531363 30-Jul-2020 13:41

You mean like a USB Switch? I just bought a USB3 switch (not delivered yet) to avoid physically plugging things constantly, but USB-C switches look expensive.

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wellygary

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#2531368 30-Jul-2020 13:49

This works well but my usb c input plug on desktop is wearing out.

As an interim solution, buy another couple of USB C cables (1 regular , 1 extension)

plug the extension into the box, and then plug the other cables in and out of the extension joint, ( to save wear and tear on the sockets on any of the devices)

Dynamic

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#2531369 30-Jul-2020 13:50

That's a little disappointing. Potentially a warranty issue?

I can't see a USB-C switch at my local go-to for that type of product http://dynamix.co.nz/ but if you used a short USB-C extension cable (male one end, female on the other end), left one end permanently plugged into your desktop, you could 'wear out' the connector in the extension cable instead of your computer's connector.

You could also potentially fit a USB-C card to your computer and run a USB-C extension from around the back to the front of your computer for convenient access.

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D1023319

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#2531434 30-Jul-2020 15:10

timmmay:

You mean like a USB Switch? I just bought a USB3 switch (not delivered yet) to avoid physically plugging things constantly, but USB-C switches look expensive.

I am not sure which of these switches you are referring to?

They seem to be fore sharing devices concurrently which wouldnt help me as monitors/'keyboard/mouse can only be used one at a time by either desktop or laptop

D1023319

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#2531437 30-Jul-2020 15:12

Dynamic:

That's a little disappointing. Potentially a warranty issue?

I can't see a USB-C switch at my local go-to for that type of product http://dynamix.co.nz/ but if you used a short USB-C extension cable (male one end, female on the other end), left one end permanently plugged into your desktop, you could 'wear out' the connector in the extension cable instead of your computer's connector.

You could also potentially fit a USB-C card to your computer and run a USB-C extension from around the back to the front of your computer for convenient access.

Yes - I am getting fixed.

FYI - USB-c is on the motherboard but as you and others say - use a sacrificial usb extension cable. :-)

I was just wondering if there was a more elegant solution

timmmay

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#2531444 30-Jul-2020 15:23

D1023319:

I am not sure which of these switches you are referring to?

They seem to be fore sharing devices concurrently which wouldnt help me as monitors/'keyboard/mouse can only be used one at a time by either desktop or laptop

Something like this one. You plug your mouse / keyboard / etc into the input ports, you plug the output ports into PC 1 or 2. Hit a button to switch the peripherals between PCs. Basically it's the same as moving plugs between PCs by pushing a button.

If you can find the right converters you could use the much cheaper UGreen USB3.0 switch that I have on the way from Amazon. It's about US$50, compared with $150 for the USB-C version.

allio

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#2531481 30-Jul-2020 16:21

timmmay:

Something like this one. You plug your mouse / keyboard / etc into the input ports, you plug the output ports into PC 1 or 2. Hit a button to switch the peripherals between PCs. Basically it's the same as moving plugs between PCs by pushing a button.

If you can find the right converters you could use the much cheaper UGreen USB3.0 switch that I have on the way from Amazon. It's about US$50, compared with $150 for the USB-C version.

That Sabrent KVM is basically the tool that's required here, but it's pricey and single monitor only. Looks like USB-C KVM gear is still in early adopter territory.

It seems like a simple 1x USB-C -> 2x USB-C switch would complete the setup that you already have but I can't find one of those available for purchase for love nor money - odd. I guess it's a lot more complicated when both power and video signals are involved rather than just data.

If you don't mind dropping some of the USB-C out of the chain, this is my on-the-cheap setup for a USB-C laptop, HDMI desktop and two HDMI monitors:

USB-C PD hub (plugged into laptop)

HDMI KVM (inputs: keyboard, mouse, 1x HDMI from desktop PC and 1x HDMI from USB-C hub, output: primary monitor)

HDMI switch (inputs: 1x HDMI from desktop PC, 1x HDMI from laptop HDMI, output: second monitor)

End result is that I can switch mouse + keyboard + primary monitor with a key combination, and press a physical button to switch the second monitor. It would be tidier to have a KVM and USB-C hub with dual HDMI outputs (in order to switch both monitors together) but I couldn't find an affordable dual-HDMI KVM, and it's actually very handy to be able to keep one monitor connected to the "idle" computer (e.g. browsing the web on desktop with a very boring work conference call on the second monitor). If I were buying again I would probably get a dual HDMI USB-C hub like this one so I could only use a single cable into the laptop.

It all works very reliably, I'm very impressed with the UGreen stuff for the price.

D1023319

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#2531591 30-Jul-2020 18:48

Thanks guys

A lot to think about here.

Am not sure what i'll do but its put me on the right track in looking for switches.
The again the sacrificial usb-c cable from the back of my pc to the front may be way to go

much appreciated