"ClassicDatsunDebate" (gmagnusson)
05/20/2020 at 11:05 • Filed to: computerlopnik
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"ClassicDatsunDebate" (gmagnusson)
05/20/2020 at 11:05 • Filed to: computerlopnik | 1
| 20 |
I’ve got dual monitors, a keyboard, speakers and a mouse that I want to share between two laptops in my home office. Looking at KVM (keyboard, video, mouse) switches, it seems the pricing jumps from, say, the century mark, way up to the $400’s plus if you want dual monitor outs. I’d rather spend some of that money on car parts or booze instead.
Does any one run a setup like I describe? Any tips or alternate ways of going about it? I watched a YouTube of a guy who had separate 2/1 USB switches for each monitor and the audio plus a separate switch for a peripheral hub for keys, mouse etc. but if I add up all those components you get close to a kvm. Is there some other nerd-voodoo that I don’t know about?
Nibby
> ClassicDatsunDebate
05/20/2020 at 11:18 |
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you need a voodoo3
Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
> ClassicDatsunDebate
05/20/2020 at 11:20 |
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Every time a 240z is tastelessly modded an angle looses it’s wings.
Frankly I’d just use a lightening port adapter docking station and unplug one lap top and plug in the other. I can’t see the worth of running both with a switch.
TheRealBicycleBuck
> ClassicDatsunDebate
05/20/2020 at 11:25 |
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I just use a docking station. One plug and whichever laptop is connected has full access to dual monitors, keyboard, mouse, usb sound bar, and any external drives connected to the hub. I have a third monitor that I plug directly into the laptop.
You just ha ve to make sure that all of your laptops support the connector.
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ClassicDatsunDebate
> Nibby
05/20/2020 at 11:29 |
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I want more than 15fps in FlightSim98 ...I’ll stick with my TNT2.
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ClassicDatsunDebate
> Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
05/20/2020 at 11:30 |
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yeah but that’s TWO cables!
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Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
> ClassicDatsunDebate
05/20/2020 at 11:31 |
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Fuck it, just give up.
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ClassicDatsunDebate
> Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
05/20/2020 at 11:32 |
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You mean the angel wings on the back of their affliction tshirt?
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ClassicDatsunDebate
> TheRealBicycleBuck
05/20/2020 at 11:34 |
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I’ve got one of those “drop-in” style docks which doesn’t work for both...I never thought of the hub style. Thanks.
Jb boin
> ClassicDatsunDebate
05/20/2020 at 11:37 |
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Seems like you might want to find the wrong solution to your problem, why are you needing to use both laptops on desktop screens at the same time?
—
Depending on the need, sharing the keyboard/mouse of one of the computer to the other using Barrier (which is an open-source fork of Synergy ) might be another solution.
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ClassicDatsunDebate
> Jb boin
05/20/2020 at 11:53 |
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I don’t want to use both at the same time, I want to switch between two computers but have just one desk . I want to use the same keyboard, monitors and mouse and switch between two computers.
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ClassicDatsunDebate
> TheRealBicycleBuck
05/20/2020 at 11:56 |
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Thinking about it some more, I’d have to unplug the two monitors and the speakers every time I switched if I did that. I’m trying to find a more elegant, complicated solution for this simple problem.
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TheRealBicycleBuck
> ClassicDatsunDebate
05/20/2020 at 12:00 |
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T he docking station I use has ports for two monitors. I use a USB speaker bar, so that plugs into the docking station too. The docking station also provides power through the USB-C connector, so really, I only have to plug in one connector if I’m using two monitors. Since I use three monitors, I have to plug in the third to the HDMI port on my laptop. So, two plugs and I’m good to go.
PyroHoltz f@h Oppo 261120
> ClassicDatsunDebate
05/20/2020 at 12:05 |
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Dual monitors make thing s more complicated for sure. Since you don’t specify a monitor connection type or the resolutions, I have to make some assumptions here.
Dual Displayport KVM: $200
https://www.newegg.com/trendnet-tk-240dp-displayport-usb/p/N82E16817403104
Dual DVI KVM: $260
https://www.newegg.com/iogear-gcs1642-dvi-usb/p/N82E16817399097
Dual VGA 15-pin: $13 0
https://www.newegg.com/iogear-gcs1742-d-sub-usb/p/N82E16817107455
Have you considered splurging for a larger single monitor? I moved from dual 24" 1080p monitors to a single 27" 1440p and like that it gives me enough digital desktop space while also not eating into the physical desktop space. You could also jump to an ultra-wide but those are quite pricey at around $400 and you’ll also need the KVM but some have KVMs built in.
Good luck!
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ClassicDatsunDebate
> TheRealBicycleBuck
05/20/2020 at 12:05 |
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hmmm, thanks. I’ll have to dig deeper. You could put a 2/1 switch in front of the dock I guess. I’m trying to avoid plug /unplug because I hope to have everything tucked away.
Regulus
> ClassicDatsunDebate
05/20/2020 at 12:15 |
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I have this one and it works fairly well, although it’s still pricey:
I have it hooked up to a 4K monitor and 1440p monitor, mouse, and keyboard, but it has audio in and out ports as well. There are definitely cheaper options if you don’t need 4K support.
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ClassicDatsunDebate
> PyroHoltz f@h Oppo 261120
05/20/2020 at 12:24 |
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Thanks! DVI or HDMI would work for me. I’m running two 21" and i like the functionality for share-screen, video conference while working in a second screen etc. Maybe it’s old school thinking but I like the option of the two (three) sequestered feeds.
I have a LG 32CL20 sitting in the crawl space that I was going to recycle...Probably too low res, you think?
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ClassicDatsunDebate
> Regulus
05/20/2020 at 12:28 |
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That would be the right solution for me. The math in my brain says if I can find something that works at $200, I’d still have $200 for a new guitar pedal :)
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PyroHoltz f@h Oppo 261120
> ClassicDatsunDebate
05/20/2020 at 12:38 |
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Yeah, that 720p display will likely make your brain hurt using it as a monitor. I would just keep your setup the same and go with the $260 dual-view DVI KVM as long as you have the correct adapters if needed, to change HDMI to DVI.
https://www.newegg.com/iogear-gcs1642-dvi-usb/p/N82E16817399097
415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)
> ClassicDatsunDebate
05/20/2020 at 13:43 |
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That poor Z
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ClassicDatsunDebate
> 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)
05/20/2020 at 13:49 |
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Yeah, and that S30 is horrible too!