Saw a video on youtube, good for people WFH so you can swap your peripherals between home PC and laptop easily.
https://youtu.be/XPf9Yql2cdk?t=19
Usually retails for around $50 on Ebay and Amazon.
CamelCamelCamel.
I do find my one struggles a bit depending on what is connected. I have been unable to use my Logitech Brio Webcam and wireless gaming headset USB dongle connected to it at the same time, even tried connecting the USB power input to see if it helped with no luck. Have changed it around so I have my speakers, mouse, webcam and a USB charger coming out of it, and that works. So it's good, but does have it's limitations.
I have one of these, works great
Thanks, I didn't realise these things existed until the youtube vid. Painfully swapping swapping between WFH and home pc at the moment.
My guess is you may have already tried it or be unable to, but my workaround was to use RDP/remote desktop to remote into my work laptop whilst at home. Introduces more lag, but saves the swapping.
Your work must be either trusting or niaive if they let you remote into it from a home PC.
Risk vs reward. It costs our company too much to let our IT department administer the changes required, often multiple admin prompts within minutes whilst out in remote parts of Australia (as I personally experienced recently). So yes, trusting, but this level of access isn't common outside of our department. Plus we also are incentivised to keep our own jobs.
@thisisscotts: Ooft, RDPing into a work laptop via a personal device, I hope you don't work on, or have access to anything too critical.
Someone asked for the same thing at my organization, we shut that down asap and provided a usb dock instead for quick swaps.
@Ambrosia80: I don't have access to anything that critical at my own organisation (which can't be retrieved, worst case).
Mine works great. I like that it has an optional usb power input.
**** bought this at full price two weeks ago, well worth the money I paid though as I connect keyboard/mouse/webcam and headset to it and it seamlessly switches between my work and home pc
I've got the USB 2.0 version which works great, press of a button and it switches from work laptop to home computer instantly.
I paid $50 for one of these in March. It's so good for switching mouse/keyboard between Desktop and Laptop, worth it!
I like mine too.
Have to smile, seems like a bunch of dudes who already own them are posting on this thread, wishing they didn't own it, so they could buy it again.
hand up
Wondering if there was any reason to buy another one… but there isn't >_>
Not me, I picked mine up for $25.89 in the Prime Day sale last year!
Too bad this doesn’t have a hdmi port for the screen. Is there a converter which I can get?
There should be a hdmi KVM on Amazon floating around, though it would be 3* the price. Just get a hdmi switch on the cheap and press another button when switching.
Edit: didn't see the above reply that looks pretty sweet. Would it also allow freesync support if switched?
If you prefer the cheaper way, just use the osd to change inputs on monitor and run a second HDMI cable assuming you have the inputs from all the Xiaomi surface deals
i have similar but with HDMI switch not usb.
it has 2 hdmi and 1 hdmi ports, they are bi directional in and out
from aliexpress, brand is cabletime.
VERY GOOD quality. metal and cool
@ChiMot Do you have a link for this HDMI switch? Does it have both HDMI and USB?
Update:
Answered my own question: Found this one from UGreen that has HDMI splitter along with USB at $54.99. Perhaps better value considering you get HDMI and USB(albeit 2.0) in one:
https://www.amazon.com.au/UGREEN-Switcher-Extended-Computer-…
I have one like that as well - but it's only rated for hdmi 1.0 or something. It caused problems when using it on a 1440 screen, and I didn't even bother trying it on my 4k screen.
Same experience although worked fine for 2560x1440 60hz for me.
The USB ports could be better though, would have paid double for one that was USB 3.0
There's 2 x USB 2.0 ports and 2 x USB 1.x ports which are labelled keyboard and mouse.. they hated my Logitech G910 though as it drew too much power I believe.
I have monitor with 2 input, just switch to what input you need…
Have one of these for a few months now for WFH. Well worth it. For those gamers out there, I have this plugged into my gaming PC (and my work laptop) and noticed no issues with lag or under performing devices etc.
Thanks for that. Always wondered if it would cause input lag, just ordered one!
These are great!
No more plugging and unplugging sufferings
This is really good.
I have two machines which I swatch between for one monitor.
Can use one keyboard and mouse for the two.
Bought it like a month ago and saved so unplugging and unplugging so good!
Got it for $48
if only for keyboard and mouse, why not get the 2.0 version, it's cheaper atm without discount
or this for example
https://www.amazon.com.au/Switcher-Peripheral-Selector-Keybo…
ugreen products are generally more expensive since they are well-known
Dunno ugreen was the one taht came up
I've found their quality to be good though. I think the benefit of USB 3 is if you end up sticking any devices which benefit from the bandwidth in whether it be a wireless headset, webcam, USB drive (if anyone uses those?), etc…
did not know I needed this until now. thanks!
For anyone looking for a cheaper alternative, I got this one and yet to receive it. https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B08HQNBQ1X/ref=ppx_yo_d…
If both machines run Windows I find running Microsoft Mouse Without Borders to be a far easier and free solution. Logitech released their own version recently if you only use Logitech keyboard and mouse.
Some people's laptops are admin locked
This is only good if you don't mind a bit of lag (~50-100ms) which I personally find horrible.
This is awesome, something I searched online but never hit this.
Been running this for a long time now.
Please note in Windows 10, the server keep resetting the password after reboot, it's a common issue. Also if you want to copy and paste between machines, you need to launch "MouseWithoutBordersHelper" manually for it to work in Windows 10.
souris sans frontière
Any idea if one of the pc side connections can work with a USB-C cable for connecting to a MacBook?
Yes, you just need to attach an adaptor of sorts. I personally connect my UGreen USB switcher to a UGreen USB C hub which then connects to my work laptop via a single USB C cable for power, KBM, webcam, headset and Ethernet.
Ah, I mean without that extra USB-C hub. So just swapping the backside cable out for a USB-A to USB-C
Don't see why it wouldn't work but honestly the thing which I really loved about my setup is I can run power through the USB C hub as well so it's really one cable for everything - both my own work laptop (Lenovo X1), my personal Chromebook and my wife's Macbook.
I have one from the same supplier, paired it with the DELL D6000 USB-C Docking Station, works perfectly with multiple monitors.
Did you get the 3.0 or 2.0?
I've got a Lenovo docking station which output to 2 monitors. I need a Switch to plug in the usb3.0 input so I can connect 2 laptops. Not sure whether usb2.0 can do video over USB?
I bought the USB 3.0 version
These are excellent. Simple. Elegant. Hardware switches always trump software… well nearly always… ceratinly in this application.
I use this device to share/swap the mouse/kb between my Win10 NUC and MacMini.
I got this from aliexpress for similar price. received last week after waiting for 2 months.
Works very well. Highly recommend if you just want to switch keyboard/mouse/any other USB device between 2 pc's
However, if you are looking for proper KVM switch, consider
https://www.amazon.com.au/UGREEN-Switcher-Extended-Computer-…
Good price. Got the non USB 3 version recently, and it does what it says on the tin. Makes sharing a mouse and keyboard between work and home pcs much easier.
I think the hardware solution is so simple and elegant that you don't ever need to worry about software functionality… especially on enterprise managed laptops.
less cables is a win for me
I normally use Synergy if I need to interact with Linux machines (Mouse Without Borders when Windows only) but I might give Barrier a try.
It's very nice. Hope you like it.
I use one of these for my PC and my MiSTer, works great.
I thought it was a better than normal kvm switch with usb switching, but it's not. No video.
These are great, been using one with all this wfh covid started.
These are always discounted. Don't be fooled by the "original price".
I bought one in March for $36.99.
Works exactly as described to switch between home PC and work laptop. Even have the Jabra USB volume control connected to it.
Do these result in the 2 connected systems seeing the USB devices disconnect/connect when switching between systems? Or do the systems think the USB device is still there even when switched to the other system?
Anybody used any version that supports more than 2 connected systems?
I'd like to do :
Laptop (x2) >> USB switch >> docking station >> monitor (x2)
Would this one work? Would the cheaper version with 2.0 be enough?
Had mine connected to working and personal lappy with Logitech MX Master 2S connected. Scroll doesn't work properly after the switch, had to turn the mouse on and off to make it work. NOT good for days with NBA games…
Works well with wired mouse tho, not sure a defect or me being unlucky.
Same issue with razer wireless, have to unplug dongle and replug. No issue with wired.
Looks like a defect then…
I have a cheap USB2 variant of this and an MX Master 2S mouse and haven't had any problems.
Ahhh seems like I paid a bit extra for some defect lol…ceebs to return it but thanks for the info, might be really helpful for someone else.
Recently returned the USB 2 version of this as it was ridiculously laggy on my recently acquired Ducky One mechanical keyboard (which is perfect when plugged into either PC directly).
Hopefully I'll have a better experience with this one.
I had the same issue, give it 5V power.
I thought I had tried external power, but can't be sure. Regardless, I'll definitely set it up that way when this one arrives.
To clarify, that fixed your issue, yes?
Is it me or is this expensive for what it is?
I bought this last year for $3-4:
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/122620877900
Works great for switching my usb headset between computers. I don't need to share mouse/keyboard, but if I did I would just connect any usb hub to it. Am I missing something?
Probably is. But the Ugreen has 4 ports, USB3 and optional external power if you need to plug in high power draw devices.
This one is great, i've been using it since August along with a HDMI 2.0 switcher. It's allowed me to easily switch between my work laptop and my own pc with just one set of peripherals and monitor
Got one of these too - works well, except for my USB DAC - on Mac it's fine, but Windows, the audio goes weird after a few mins.
was this with or without the 5v supplementary power? I plan to use this with a DAC and a USB mic as well
Tried both. Thought it was a power issue but apparently not.
Is there one of these that combines HDMI, Ethernet and a number of USB ports? I would like to switch all of these between two devices. My modem is in another room, so I have been unplugging my network cable from my home PC and connecting it to my work laptop. Wireless seems to struggle with my work VPN, so I prefer a wired connection.
I personally use InputDirector across my main PC and work laptop. PC is hardwired to the modem and work laptop runs on WiFi and there is no perceivable difference than if the mouse and keyboard was plugged into the laptop
Just my 2c before exploring hardware todo the same thing depending on your setup
Looks nice but I'd assume most work laptop are AD joined, so this would be an issue:
Download Input Director v2.0.1 (this version is not compatible with Windows systems that are connected to an Active Directory domain. Please contact the author for the non-commercial domain compatible version)
For those who like waiting 45 days for it to arrive you can get it cheaper by $1.19 directly through Ugreen's aliexpress store
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001273739092.html?spm=a2…
(joking btw unless you really like saving money)
Has anyone tried a bluetooth dongle on one of these? I can't find my dongle but I'm curious if I can connect my Sony bluetooth headphones to the dongle (on the hub) and have it switch between both PC's without losing connection…
I use my PS4 headset on this everyday. No issues. The headset will just reconnect as if you unplugged and replugged the usb dongle.
I've been using the usb2.0 version for years for gaming and (since covid) working, haven't noticed lag, or any other issues.
Using with a rgb mouse, keyboard and Dell ac511 soundbar, haven't hit any power limits either.
![[Prime] UGREEN USB 3.0 Sharing Switch $34.29 Delivered @ Ugreen via Amazon AU](https://files.ozbargain.com.au/n/31/572631.jpg?h=49793f5b)
Have one, no dramas, does what it's meant to…