[Technology] Recommendations for USB Switch

Papak

Not an NSC licker...

Jul 11, 2003

1,905

Horsham

• Feb 19, 2021

• #1

I did a quick search and found nothing, I'm looking for recommendations for a USB switch, mainly for keyboard and mouse.

My monitors have dual inputs so I have 2 video cables connected to each monitor from my desktop PC and my work laptop hub.

I have had a major overhaul / Spring clean of my home office today and decided swapping the peripherals between systems all the time is a faff and can probably be done by a box of tricks...

As ever, thanks in advance for your contributions.

 

M

monty uk

Well-known member

Sep 25, 2018

631

• Feb 19, 2021

• #2

Papak said:

I did a quick search and found nothing, I'm looking for recommendations for a USB switch, mainly for keyboard and mouse.

My monitors have dual inputs so I have 2 video cables connected to each monitor from my desktop PC and my work laptop hub.

I have had a major overhaul / Spring clean of my home office today and decided swapping the peripherals between systems all the time is a faff and can probably be done by a box of tricks...

As ever, thanks in advance for your contributions.

Click to expand...

Look for a 'KVM switch'. It's a device that handles keyboard, video and mouse together. Allowing you to change between two or more source PCs on a single display using just one keyboard and mouse.

I can't help any further with selection of consumer level devices as I work with very large systems for pro applications like broadcast and air traffic. With hundreds of sources and displays.

But you should be able to find an affordable solution that meets your needs.

Hope this helps.

 

clapham_gull

Legacy Fan

Aug 20, 2003

25,306

• Feb 19, 2021

• #3

If it's just keyboard and mouse, just look for USB 3 switch on Amazon. You can probably pick one up from 20 - 30 quid.

You don't need USB 3.0 - but that will bring up newer models that don't utilise the more obscure (these days) USB connectors.

Here is one:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/UGREEN-Sha...+switch&qid=1613766481&sr=8-3&tag=googhydr-21

 

Gazwag

5 millionth post poster

Mar 4, 2004

30,137

Bexhill-on-Sea

• Feb 19, 2021

• #4

Have you thought about a wireless keyboard and mouse, helps protect your eyes in a home office as you can work further away from monitors as you're not limited by the cable length

 

father_and_son

Well-known member

Jan 23, 2012

4,646

Under the Police Box

• Feb 19, 2021

• #5

Papak said:

I did a quick search and found nothing, I'm looking for recommendations for a USB switch, mainly for keyboard and mouse.

My monitors have dual inputs so I have 2 video cables connected to each monitor from my desktop PC and my work laptop hub.

I have had a major overhaul / Spring clean of my home office today and decided swapping the peripherals between systems all the time is a faff and can probably be done by a box of tricks...

As ever, thanks in advance for your contributions.

Click to expand...

Wireless! Logitech do wireless keyboards and mice which can switch between 3 devices. Buy them separately and you'll get a Unifying dongle with each and you don't need anything else.


(for the uninitiated... a unifying dongle in a single usb plug that can control a mouse *and* keyboard, so you only need one thing plugged in to your computer, saving USB ports. But buy a mouse and a keyboard separately and you get a dongle with each, so you have one for each computer. )

 

M

mwrpoole

Well-known member

Sep 10, 2010

1,506

Sevenoaks

• Feb 19, 2021

• #6

Not sure if this is what you’re looking for but I got one of these usb hubs before Xmas and I thinks it’s ace. I wanted something that everything plugs into - this just connects to my laptop via USB-C so you need to have one of those to use:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B085ZNBSGN?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

 

Papak

Not an NSC licker...

Jul 11, 2003

1,905

Horsham

• Feb 20, 2021

• Thread starter
• #7

Apologies all - just reread my OP after seeing some of the responses here.

What I meant to say was that I can searched NSC and didn't find anything.

I'm after a USB switch so I was hoping to get some recommendations for what to go for Black Box etc.

Thanks to [MENTION=865]clapham_gull[/MENTION] I saw that and thought it fitted the bill too.

 

S

Shropshire Seagull

Well-known member

Nov 5, 2004

8,496

Telford

• Feb 20, 2021

• #8

USB is USB - 3.0 is faster for data transfer if you devices [at both ends] support.

USB keyboard and mouse are low on data demand so speed for them is irrelevant.
What might be more relevant is if you need it to also be powered - i.e. the device(s) you want to attached need more juice than a single USB PC port can support.
To give advice, more info is required regarding intended use. i.e. devices to be connected, and to what?