yas1320 Posted September 14, 2022 Share Posted September 14, 2022 Hi I need some advice. So I have a laptop for work which only has usb c ports. I have a keyboard and a mouse that is powered by USB 3.0 port on my home computer desktop. I'd like to use both the mouse and keyboard with my work laptop too. Is there any kind of hub or switch I can get so I can use it with my work laptop and my home computer without having to keep unplugging things. (Not at the same time though) I hope the above makes sense. P.S I do have a spare USB C port on my computer. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1421480-using-usb-keyboard-and-mouse-with-2-computers/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon H Supervisor Posted September 14, 2022 Supervisor Share Posted September 14, 2022 what you are describing is a KVM switch. are the computers close together or not? if they're next to each other then you can use a physical switch like the following: https://www.amazon.com/Selector-Computers-Keyboard-Printer-Included/dp/B092Q42VPS there are usb-c versions but I'd recommend just getting an adapter as the type c versions are quite a bit more expensive it seems https://www.amazon.com/s?k=kvm+switch+usb+c&i=electronics&sprefix=kvm+switch+usb%2Celectronics%2C141 other option is software solution https://symless.com/synergy https://www.raymond.cc/blog/how-to-share-keyboard-and-mouse-on-multiple-computers/ hellowalkman, yas1320 and goretsky 3 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1421480-using-usb-keyboard-and-mouse-with-2-computers/#findComment-598761688 Share on other sites More sharing options...
yas1320 Posted September 14, 2022 Author Share Posted September 14, 2022 On 14/09/2022 at 20:11, Brandon H said: what you are describing is a KVM switch. are the computers close together or not? if they're next to each other then you can use a physical switch like the following: https://www.amazon.com/Selector-Computers-Keyboard-Printer-Included/dp/B092Q42VPS there are usb-c versions but I'd recommend just getting an adapter as the type c versions are quite a bit more expensive it seems https://www.amazon.com/s?k=kvm+switch+usb+c&i=electronics&sprefix=kvm+switch+usb%2Celectronics%2C141 other option is software solution https://symless.com/synergy https://www.raymond.cc/blog/how-to-share-keyboard-and-mouse-on-multiple-computers/ Yes, they are next to each other. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1421480-using-usb-keyboard-and-mouse-with-2-computers/#findComment-598761690 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon H Supervisor Posted September 14, 2022 Supervisor Share Posted September 14, 2022 On 14/09/2022 at 14:19, yas1320 said: Yes, they are next to each other. great, then a physical switch should work well for you and avoid any extra latency from a software solution Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1421480-using-usb-keyboard-and-mouse-with-2-computers/#findComment-598761691 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+BudMan MVC Posted September 15, 2022 MVC Share Posted September 15, 2022 Your other option is get a bluetooth keyboard and mouse that allows switching of the device to different pairings. There are a few different models of these keyboards and mice from logitech for example. A click of button on the keyboard or mouse allows to switch to a different pairing partner. Other option with these keyboards and mice that can switch that can use bluetooth, also work with their dongle, latest being their logi dongle vs their unify dongle - and they do sell a usb-C to A adapter. Old school kvm that allows physical switching of the connection sure can work. But to be honest might be cheaper option is to just by a separate usb-c keyboard and mouse to use with your laptop. Quick google shows many options for usb-c mice and keyboards at very reasonable prices. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1421480-using-usb-keyboard-and-mouse-with-2-computers/#findComment-598761780 Share on other sites More sharing options...
adrynalyne Posted September 15, 2022 Share Posted September 15, 2022 Certain Logitech keyboards and mice support Flow. There is also something like Synergy. https://support.logi.com/hc/en-us/articles/360023188134-Logitech-Flow https://symless.com/synergy Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1421480-using-usb-keyboard-and-mouse-with-2-computers/#findComment-598761795 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+DonC Subscriber² Posted September 15, 2022 Subscriber² Share Posted September 15, 2022 If you go for a software solution, then there is also a Microsoft Garage project called "Mouse Without Borders" which does a similar job to Synergy. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/garage/wall-of-fame/mouse-without-borders/ I mention this because if you need to clear the software installation on the laptop with your work then it coming from Microsoft might make it an easier sell. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1421480-using-usb-keyboard-and-mouse-with-2-computers/#findComment-598761813 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Lim Posted September 15, 2022 Share Posted September 15, 2022 Try Barrier - free alternative to synergy (basically to me its open source version of it):https://github.com/debauchee/barrier One mouse, one keyboard, two computers Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1421480-using-usb-keyboard-and-mouse-with-2-computers/#findComment-598761826 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now