Sharing keyboard and mouse
Discussion
I currently have both personal and work computers setup on the same desk.
For the personal PC I have wired TKL keyboard and wired gaming mouse.
For work I have wired full sized keyboard with Bluetooth mouse.
Space is a bit tight for 2 sets of keyboard and mouse, and I am thinking of using one keyboard for both work and personal use.
Bonus is that I can have both wired TKL keyboard and mouse shared. Thinking of a hub where I can easily switch between two sources.
Looking for any suggestions. TIA!
For the personal PC I have wired TKL keyboard and wired gaming mouse.
For work I have wired full sized keyboard with Bluetooth mouse.
Space is a bit tight for 2 sets of keyboard and mouse, and I am thinking of using one keyboard for both work and personal use.
Bonus is that I can have both wired TKL keyboard and mouse shared. Thinking of a hub where I can easily switch between two sources.
Looking for any suggestions. TIA!
https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/details.a...
Perhaps not exactly what you had in mind, but it's free and works for me
Perhaps not exactly what you had in mind, but it's free and works for me
nyt said:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/details.a...
Perhaps not exactly what you had in mind, but it's free and works for me
Cheers for the link. I will have a look. I don’t think it will be possible to install any unauthorised software on the work PC though. Very strict IT rules, even for MS products as linked, so would prefer hardware solution. Perhaps not exactly what you had in mind, but it's free and works for me
I use one of these
2x PCs, one keyboard and one mouse.
No drivers required (other than system default which won't be restricted by your work PC) and as an added bonus it has a USB hub too.
It's self powered from USB, but also has an additional power port for any power hungry devices.
2x PCs, one keyboard and one mouse.
No drivers required (other than system default which won't be restricted by your work PC) and as an added bonus it has a USB hub too.
It's self powered from USB, but also has an additional power port for any power hungry devices.
TonyRPH said:
I use one of these
2x PCs, one keyboard and one mouse.
No drivers required (other than system default which won't be restricted by your work PC) and as an added bonus it has a USB hub too.
It's self powered from USB, but also has an additional power port for any power hungry devices.
I have one of these too, not the same one, but the same principle. If you can find one with a remote button I would get that though, that way you can avoid the mess of wires I have on my desk by putting all the cables under the desk or on the back of one of the monitors.2x PCs, one keyboard and one mouse.
No drivers required (other than system default which won't be restricted by your work PC) and as an added bonus it has a USB hub too.
It's self powered from USB, but also has an additional power port for any power hungry devices.
Alongside this I have a separate KVM switch for HDMI, so I can switch a monitor too, that's handy being separate as with multiple monitors it's useful to be able to switch to the home PC to change YouTube channels etc, without having to switch the main monitor away from the work machine.
I also have a USB media controlled plugged into my personal PC, so I can be on my work machine and still mute/pause/skip music etc.
TonyRPH said:
I use one of these
2x PCs, one keyboard and one mouse.
No drivers required (other than system default which won't be restricted by your work PC) and as an added bonus it has a USB hub too.
It's self powered from USB, but also has an additional power port for any power hungry devices.
Thanks! That's exactly what I am looking for.2x PCs, one keyboard and one mouse.
No drivers required (other than system default which won't be restricted by your work PC) and as an added bonus it has a USB hub too.
It's self powered from USB, but also has an additional power port for any power hungry devices.
Question about connections please, is there 2 USB ports in the back? If so, does it come with two USB to USB cables?
anxious_ant said:
Thanks! That's exactly what I am looking for.
Question about connections please, is there 2 USB ports in the back? If so, does it come with two USB to USB cables?
It's supplied with all the necessary cables.Question about connections please, is there 2 USB ports in the back? If so, does it come with two USB to USB cables?
The two ports to the rear go to each computer. The four ports at the front are the hub, so two will be used for mouse and keyboard, leaving two spare.
There is also a micro USB port to the rear for additional power if required (I've not had any requirement to use that).
Same concept, different manufacturer, I've used one of these for the past two years with no issues. https://www.amazon.co.uk/UGREEN-Sharing-Keyboard-S...
egomeister said:
Some of the Logitech stuff is multi device, allowing you to connect to 3 different machines with the same keyboard/mouse and switch between them
Some of the Dell stuff does as well!I’ve used the same wireless keyboard and mouse with my Windows HP laptop AND my iPad Pro.
Same idea as some of the others but different manufacturer - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07WMG6LB7?ref_=cm_sw_...
I have been using this on my machines and mrs machines for the last few years before the first lockdown.
Only drawbacks are that the headset signals aren't great so sound is poor through a USB headset, and on my personal machine after swapping 3 or 4 times it stops connecting for some reason. Doesn't affect my works laptop but a quick reboot fixes the issue.
I have been using this on my machines and mrs machines for the last few years before the first lockdown.
Only drawbacks are that the headset signals aren't great so sound is poor through a USB headset, and on my personal machine after swapping 3 or 4 times it stops connecting for some reason. Doesn't affect my works laptop but a quick reboot fixes the issue.
Quick update: this device is totally awesome! I’ve gone with the UGREEN model. Looks very stylish and it’s true plug and play.
It’s really clever tech, basically a 2 way usb hub. Combine this with hdmi/DP ports and we have a winner! Although suppose that could be too much bandwidth over USB.
It’s really clever tech, basically a 2 way usb hub. Combine this with hdmi/DP ports and we have a winner! Although suppose that could be too much bandwidth over USB.
Just need to remember which machine is selected on the KVM so you don't do anything dodgy on the work machine 
Been using a similar one for a while, have both my work laptop and personal desktop connected to a 49" Ultrawide monitor - Just press a button and change monitor inputs to switch between the 2. (I don't use the HDMI ports on the KVM, desktop is DisplayPort anyway!)
Work laptop stays closed, and out of the way and I'm not stuck using a 15" laptop for 8 hours a day!
Been using a similar one for a while, have both my work laptop and personal desktop connected to a 49" Ultrawide monitor - Just press a button and change monitor inputs to switch between the 2. (I don't use the HDMI ports on the KVM, desktop is DisplayPort anyway!)
Work laptop stays closed, and out of the way and I'm not stuck using a 15" laptop for 8 hours a day!
mw88 said:
Just need to remember which machine is selected on the KVM so you don't do anything dodgy on the work machine
Been using a similar one for a while, have both my work laptop and personal desktop connected to a 49" Ultrawide monitor - Just press a button and change monitor inputs to switch between the 2. (I don't use the HDMI ports on the KVM, desktop is DisplayPort anyway!)
Work laptop stays closed, and out of the way and I'm not stuck using a 15" laptop for 8 hours a day!
I tend not too do anything dodgy on the connected machines, that’s what the iPad is for Been using a similar one for a while, have both my work laptop and personal desktop connected to a 49" Ultrawide monitor - Just press a button and change monitor inputs to switch between the 2. (I don't use the HDMI ports on the KVM, desktop is DisplayPort anyway!)
Work laptop stays closed, and out of the way and I'm not stuck using a 15" laptop for 8 hours a day!
Both the USB switcher and HDMI splitter conveniently has same numbering on them. So 1 for personal desktop, 2 for work.
My work dock has VGA out as second display option so ordered VGA to HDMI cable for splitter only to find the are directional.
Ordered one of these hopefully it will work.
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