Recommend a Docking Station to Switch between 3 Devices

tik tok on 07/01/2022 - 22:52

I have 3 Windows devices

1) Surface Pro 7
2) A new Dell Inspiron 15, 5510 with a thunderbolt 4 port
3 A 6 years old Dell Inspiron 15 Signature Edition Laptop

At any given time all devices are powered on but I am only working on one device at a time. All I need to be able to do is to share one monitor, keyboard (USB dongle) and a mouse (USB dongle). Happy to un/plug between devices for easier switching. But if there is a docking station which lets me switch between devices, that will work too. Mostly home/office use, no gaming.

From a recent deal I got the Vavo USB C hub which works with devices 1 and 2 but not with 3 as there are no USB C ports on the 3rd device (only USB A) and its manual clearly says will not work with a USB C - A adapter.

Cheers!

Computing

Comments

  • avoidfullprice on 08/01/2022 - 08:54
    +1

    Does your 6 years old Dell Inspiron 15 Signature Edition Laptop have USB3 port? If so, you might just need to get a USB3 cable with Type A (Male) to Type C (Male)and then try to use that docking station

    its manual clearly says will not work with a USB C - A adapter.

    If it is USB 3 port it will work. It it is USB2 then it won't have the bandwidth to output external video

    Also found a no name 4 port KVM on Amazon AU for under $80 that will do the trick.

    https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B09FXKJ3B3/

    • tik tok on 08/01/2022 - 10:16

      Awesome!! Thank you so much. I didn't even know what KVM was. I do have a SS USB port (which means it does support USB 3). So, I will probably get an adaptor for now. You reckon any el cheapo KVM would do? Or any recommendations there?

      • avoidfullprice on 08/01/2022 - 18:33

        Don't have a recommendation sorry. Last KVM switches I bought was with VGA cables!

        • tik tok on 08/01/2022 - 18:58

          Thanks. Update : I got the USB C Female to USB A male and plugged in the USB hub - the display via HDMI did not work. The other USB ports with keyboard and mouse did work alright though. So a superspeed port isn't particularly enough I suppose. Will get a KVM and see how I go.

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