KVM/Dock Options for personal and corporate devices at home

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CB_24

371 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 33

#309378 13-Oct-2023 12:34

I have a personal desktop with dual monitors, I have started a new job working from home with a corporate issued laptop.

Looking for options where I can switch between the desktop and laptop so the laptop can use both monitors (or maybe even just one) Desktop is running on ethernet and the laptop will be fine on wifi.

evnafets

567 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 269

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#3147179 13-Oct-2023 12:46

Simplest approach is just to plug both desktop and laptop into the the monitors and switch between them using the monitor 'source'.
Of course that depends on your monitor having multiple appropriate inputs :-)

What sort of connections does your laptop have? HDMI? DisplayPort? MacBook with USBC only?
How many connections do your monitors take? And what sort?

huckster

886 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#3147186 13-Oct-2023 13:09

That is what I do - have feeds from both laptop and desktop to the monitors and switch the input in use on monitors themselves. Not the best but it works.

I also have a Logitech keyboard/mouse that can talk to up to 3 PCs with buttons to switch between them. Annoyingly, they keyboard and mouse don't work in tandem so I sometimes end up with the keyboard talking to laptop and mouse to desktop (or vice-versa),

One day I'll get a cleaner setup..... So watching here....

allio

895 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 529

#3147206 13-Oct-2023 14:17

I do exactly this. You need a USB-C hub with dual monitor support (about $100-150), two HDMI/Displayport splitters ($15-20 each) and a USB KVM ($30) (Aliexpress prices). That gives you three physical buttons on your desk: one switches monitor 1, one switches monitor 2, and one switches mouse and keyboard. Hell of a mess of cables though.

You can dispense with the HDMI splitters if you're prepared to switch inputs on your monitors, but I think it's worth it to have the convenience of a button press rather than digging through menus.

I originally bought an HDMI KVM, which meant one monitor always followed the keyboard and mouse. This has pros and cons. Ultimately the HDMI functionality stopped working after a year so I used it as a USB KVM only and added a second HDMI splitter. I actually much prefer this as you have total control over each monitor.

BadCo

109 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 29

#3147299 13-Oct-2023 17:43

Well if you want the best...

https://www.store.level1techs.com/products/hardware

fe31nz

1294 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 423

#3147344 14-Oct-2023 00:08

I bought myself a 4 PC TESmart KVM switch - dual 4k HDMI monitor support, USB (not USB-C). In my case, their keyboard/mouse emulation does not handle my ancient Microsoft devices, but they work fine on the non-emulation USB ports. I just use the IR remote to switch, instead of the keyboard shortcuts. They have lots of different models - see if there is one that fits your needs:

https://www.tesmart.com

gjm

810 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 122

#3147355 14-Oct-2023 07:51

I just remote desktop in to my work laptop from my home pc. Only issue I have is using my headset for meetings as that doesnt work well over RDP. Sometimes I just join from my phone or sign in to the meeting from a web browser on my desktop. Works well for me :)

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johno1234

3352 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2843

#3147357 14-Oct-2023 08:02

Have my work pc and wife’s occasional use pc in the office with two monitors and have to switch the cables!

Been meaning to get a 2 hdmi kvm switch.