Using USB keyboard and mouse with 2 computers


Recommended Posts

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. 

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/

  • Like 3
  On 14/09/2022 at 19:11, 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/

Expand  

Yes, they are next to each other. 

  On 14/09/2022 at 19:19, yas1320 said:

Yes, they are next to each other. 

Expand  

great, then a physical switch should work well for you and avoid any extra latency from a software solution (Y) 

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.  

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

 

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.

 

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 account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Posts

    • Vivaldi 7.4.3684.52 by Razvan Serea Vivaldi is a cross-platform web browser built for – and with – the web. A browser based on the Blink engine (same in Chrome and Chromium) that is fast, but also a browser that is rich in functionality, highly flexible and puts the user first. A browser that is made for you. Vivaldi is produced with love by a founding team of browser pioneers, including former CEO Jon Stephenson von Tetzchner, who co-founded and led Opera Software. Vivaldi’s interface is very customizable. Vivaldi combines simplicity and fashion to create a basic, highly customizable interface that provides everything a internet user could need. The browser allows users to customize the appearance of UI elements such as background color, overall theme, address bar and tab positioning, and start pages. Vivaldi features the ability to "stack" and "tile" tabs, annotate web pages, add notes to bookmarks and much more. Vivaldi 7.4.3684.52 changelog: [Address bar] URL is searched instead of opening (VB-117198) [Chromium] Update to 136.0.7103.179 [Settings][Workspaces] Add Workspace Rule button hidden by 4th rule (VB-117181) Download: Vivaldi 64-bit | 125.0 MB (Freeware) Download: Vivaldi 32-bit | ARM64 View: Vivaldi Home Page | Screenshot Get alerted to all of our Software updates on Twitter at @NeowinSoftware
    • NTLite 2025.06.10482 by Razvan Serea NTLite is a Windows configuration tool that allows you to modify your existing Windows install or an image yet to be deployed, remove Windows components, configure and integrate, speed up the Windows deployment process. Reduce Windows footprint on your RAM and storage drive memory. Remove components of your choice, guarded by compatibility safety mechanisms, which speed up finding that sweet spot. Windows Unattended feature support, providing many commonly used options on a single page for easy setup. Easily integrate a single or multiple drivers, update or language packages. Package integration features smart sorting, enabling you to seamlessly add packages for integration and the tool will apply them in the appropriate order, keeping hotfix compatibility in check. One of the important new features of NTLite (compared to its predecessors) is the ability to modify an already installed the operating system, by removing unnecessary components. Supports Windows 11, 10, 8.1 and 7, x86 and x64, live and image. Server editions of the same versions, excluding support for component removals and feature configuration. ARM64 image support in the alpha stage. Does not support Checked/Debug, Embedded, IoT editions, nor Vista or XP. NTLite 2025.06.10482 changelog: Fix Image: Image optimization would be skipped if both boot.wim and install.wim would keep only one edition Image: Crash after exporting unloaded image in certain situations Upgrade UI-Translation: Thanks for Turkish (Salih DURDU), Georgian (Anonymous) Download: NTLite 64-bit | 21.5 MB (Free, paid upgrade available) Download: NTLite 32-bit | 19.3 MB Link: NTLite Home Page | NTLite Features | Screenshot Get alerted to all of our Software updates on Twitter at @NeowinSoftware
    • CrystalDiskMark 9.0.1 is out.
    • Wonder if the HDMI Forum will allow AMD to use HDMI 2.2 under Linux.
    • Where did you hear visio is discontinued? It's still available and being updated on Office 365 and even has an online free version now too.. and dont tell me because visio 2021 has EOL listed a Oct 13, 2026.. they have a beta version right now for visio 2026
  • Recent Achievements

    • Week One Done
      Wayne Robinson earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • One Month Later
      Karan Khanna earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • Week One Done
      Karan Khanna earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • First Post
      MikeK13 earned a badge
      First Post
    • Week One Done
      OHI Accounting earned a badge
      Week One Done
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      691
    2. 2
      ATLien_0
      264
    3. 3
      Michael Scrip
      201
    4. 4
      +FloatingFatMan
      167
    5. 5
      Steven P.
      140
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!