Switching between 2 desktops - Using same monitors

[ujio]

Trying to reduce space at home and use both personal desktop and work desktop (well a docked HP laptop) with the same Dual monitor set-up and blue-tooth Keyboard and Mouse.

Has anyone done this easily? It looks like it necessitates a KVM switch of sorts, but has anyone effectively done this without installing drivers? Any recommendations would be great.

[Baldchap]

Loads of software options these days.

This is the first link on Google.

https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/why-you-no-longer-ne...

[Mr Penguin]

Something like this for USB https://www.amazon.co.uk/UGREEN-Selector-High-Spee...
I plug in both computers to the monitor and switch source on the monitor

[anonymous-user]

Baldchap said:

Loads of software options these days.

This is the first link on Google.

https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/why-you-no-longer-ne...

The trouble with this option is most organisations IT Policies wouldn't allow you to install the required software.

[Pent]

i have my desktop connected via hdmi cables to my 2 monitors.

i have my work computer attached to a dock- the dock is connected via display port to my monitors.

no extra software or fancy switches needed.

if i need my desktop, i click the button on the bottom of the monitor to change the "source"

simple

[ajprice]

Bluequay said:

Baldchap said:

Loads of software options these days.

This is the first link on Google.

https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/why-you-no-longer-ne...

The trouble with this option is most organisations IT Policies wouldn't allow you to install the required software.

Synergy on that page looks like it might help me out at home. I've got a Huawei Mateview 28" screen, I'm currently switching the cable between my Mac Mini M2 and a work MBP 13" M2 when I'm WFH. if Synergy can handle the screen resolution (4k+ , 3840 x 2560) it might just work.

[Haltamer]

I use a Dell dock with two inputs to each monitor - One from my desktop, one from the dock.

You can either use the input switches on the monitors to toggle between quite quickly (Or run both at once), or they will usually auto pickup the input if you turn off the laptop, they'll fall back to desktop.

If you're wanting to use your keyboard and mouse, you'd need to manually plug them between for this, but you could simplify that with an extra USB Hub that you connect to either the PC or the dock.

Personally, it works for me as I (Weirdly?) quite like my laptop keyboard and just plug in an extra mouse - Makes it easier to swap between too, as above.

[jonwm]

Pent said:

i have my desktop connected via hdmi cables to my 2 monitors.

i have my work computer attached to a dock- the dock is connected via display port to my monitors.

no extra software or fancy switches needed.

if i need my desktop, i click the button on the bottom of the monitor to change the "source"

simple

Same for me, I have work hp on a dock and my own hp in a different dock. 1 HDMI the other DVI. If I don't need them at the same time I just use the usb c from my work dock and put in in my laptop (saves going under the desk and switching the plug on for the other dock.

Long teams calls with limited input needed from me I use the laptop screen for the meeting and the monitor for own laptop.

During work only I use the screen for main work tasks and the work laptop screen as a second monitor for teams to be on.

[JagYouAre]

Pent said:

i have my desktop connected via hdmi cables to my 2 monitors.

i have my work computer attached to a dock- the dock is connected via display port to my monitors.

no extra software or fancy switches needed.

if i need my desktop, i click the button on the bottom of the monitor to change the "source"

simple

Yep me too. I only have one (ultrawide) monitor, with two HDMI ports. Desktop sits on one, laptop dock on the other. Button on the screen switches between the two.

I also have a keyboad/mouse with a multi switch so I can easily change them between desktop and laptop at the push of a button.

All works great for me.

[Tommo87]

Pent said:

i have my desktop connected via hdmi cables to my 2 monitors.

i have my work computer attached to a dock- the dock is connected via display port to my monitors.

no extra software or fancy switches needed.

if i need my desktop, i click the button on the bottom of the monitor to change the "source"

simple

^This. Almost the same set up for me.

I have a wireless mouse and keyboard, so I can just swap the dongle over between the dock and my tower and often as not, that is enough to make the monitors switch feed automatically.

If not I just change the source using the monitor menu as described above.

[toon10]

I bought a Dell as my personal laptop just because that's who we use for work devices. I just have a dock with everything plugged in and switch the USB C connector between laptops. Not ideal as I'd rather have a switch, but it works.

[Whoozit]

Tommo87 said:

Pent said:

i have my desktop connected via hdmi cables to my 2 monitors.

i have my work computer attached to a dock- the dock is connected via display port to my monitors.

no extra software or fancy switches needed.

if i need my desktop, i click the button on the bottom of the monitor to change the "source"

simple

^This. Almost the same set up for me.

I have a wireless mouse and keyboard, so I can just swap the dongle over between the dock and my tower and often as not, that is enough to make the monitors switch feed automatically.

If not I just change the source using the monitor menu as described above.

My ultrawide monitor has a USB hub with the keyboard and mouse dongles plugged into it, so everything swaps over in less than a second. The input switching uses a Dell app installed on both computers so I can hotkey the swap without lifting my hands from the keyboard.

[ujio]

Thanks all! I think I will do things simply as most have suggested here and just do the HDMI/DVI switch on one of the monitors. Funnily enough I hadn't cottoned on to that button yet and each time I was manually connecting the HDMI to my PC and then disconnecting when using the work PC!

I will just need to make do with using the one monitor on my personal PC rather than the dual set up. Unless I get a second HDMI cable (and adaptor for my PC) and connect to the second monitor.

Thanks again!

[Defcon5]

If you just use different monitor inputs, what do you do about your keyboard and mouse?

[sgrimshaw]

I've got one of these, works well for me

iClever Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard, Keyboard Rechargeable Bluetooth 5.1 Stable Connection to Multi Devices Silent Slim Keyboard for Mac, iPad, iPhone, iOS, Android, Windows, QWERTY UK Layout https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B127P5L5?psc=1&r...

[Monsterlime]

ajprice said:

Bluequay said:

Baldchap said:

Loads of software options these days.

This is the first link on Google.

https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/why-you-no-longer-ne...

The trouble with this option is most organisations IT Policies wouldn't allow you to install the required software.

Synergy on that page looks like it might help me out at home. I've got a Huawei Mateview 28" screen, I'm currently switching the cable between my Mac Mini M2 and a work MBP 13" M2 when I'm WFH. if Synergy can handle the screen resolution (4k+ , 3840 x 2560) it might just work.

Synergy doesn't care about monitor resolution, so it should. When I changed my main screens from 1080 to 1440, no config changes were necessary.

[ujio]

Defcon5 said:

If you just use different monitor inputs, what do you do about your keyboard and mouse?

Just take the bluetooth dongle (for wireless Keyboard and mouse) from the Work dock and put it into the desktop each time you switch.
Not quite seemless but not too onerous.

[ajprice]

Monsterlime said:

Synergy doesn't care about monitor resolution, so it should. When I changed my main screens from 1080 to 1440, no config changes were necessary.

Cheers, I'll give the trial a go. For keyboard and mouse I've got Kensington MX, they switch between computers with no problem.

[JagYouAre]

ujio said:

Defcon5 said:

If you just use different monitor inputs, what do you do about your keyboard and mouse?

Just take the bluetooth dongle (for wireless Keyboard and mouse) from the Work dock and put it into the desktop each time you switch.
Not quite seemless but not too onerous.

Alternatively (as I mentioned above) you can get a mouse/keyboard with multiple Bluetooth profiles, which can switch between computers at the push of a button. Mine are Logitech ones but I expect most modern ones will do similar. Has three profiles which are set up for my desktop, laptop and mobile.

[ujio]

JagYouAre said:

Alternatively (as I mentioned above) you can get a mouse/keyboard with multiple Bluetooth profiles, which can switch between computers at the push of a button. Mine are Logitech ones but I expect most modern ones will do similar. Has three profiles which are set up for my desktop, laptop and mobile.

Funnily enough I just got one of those mouse things from work! It's the Logitech 2x S one. Unfortunately to get it to talk to both PC's I need to install the app on to the work PC too (for which I need admin rights). I will also need to get the keyboard equivalent.
But in theory this would be a good bet,