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Plugable USB 2.0 Switch for One-Button USB Device Port Sharing Between Two Computers (AB Switch)?
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48 reviews of this product found across Reddit:
I go software too and use a cheap USB switch: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006Z0Q2SI/
These single port models are available from many manufacturers for under $20. It has only a single port, but my monitors have built-in USB hubs so I plug the keyboard and mouse into a monitor, the monitors into the switch, and the switch to both computers.
There aren't many headsets on the market that give you wireless chat audio for Xbox AND PS4/PS5/PC. Even if you bought an extra dongle, you would still have to repair the headset each time you switched consoles -- an easier solution is a simple USB switch like this: https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-One-Button-Sharing-Between-Computers/dp/B006Z0Q2SI
Hey OP! I have the same setup you’re looking for. I use my monitor’s USB and then use this switcher (https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B006Z0Q2SI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_dSbrFbK9MTRW4)
Let me know if you have questions! I love this switch, made my life a whole lot easier!
EDIT: Just realized the whole deal with the dual monitors. All I can say for that it that if you’re monitors have a “auto” mode for input, just leave them at that. Once you switch over to another device (sleep or shutdown the other), your monitors should move over automatically
What I did was I used a separate USB hub, though the monitor USB ports will work just the same, hooked to a usb switch. I ran one of the usb cables from the switch over along with the HDMI cable from the monitor to my work laptop, the other usb cable goes to my desktop.
So to swap between my work laptop and my desktop, I only have to hit the button on the usb switch, and swap my monitor input from DP to HDMI. HDMI 1.4 is only fast enough for 50Hz at full resolution, but that's fine for work stuff in my opinion.
For my kid, the idea of having a mechanical keyboard on each computer, is, like, the best thing ever! Also, having two entirely separate input devices (keyboard + mouse) for each computer is actually the best option for his current usage patterns.
On the other hand, on my dual setup... I tried Synergy a couple months ago and I absolutely HATED it. I ended up getting a hardware switch from Plugable for my keyboard, which works much better, IMHO. Besides the keyboard, I have no problem using two mouses at the same time, so that's not a problem, either.
A little late to the party, but I have an external hard drive connected to this A/B switch, which is connected to both my base station and a desktop computer. Whenever I want to view the saved files on the computer, I can just hit the button to switch what the drive is connected to, and the drive connects to the desktop so I can do with the files as I please.
I use this thing to share the usb receiver for my Logitech touchpad/keyboard and mouse between my Pi and my PC for when I'm tinkering with the Pi. Works great, but there's not much reason to keep your Pi right where your PC is, is there?
If you already own the wheel, you could try picking up one of these or something similar. The support page for the G29 says you need to set the switch before plugging it in, but if it's an actual physical switch (and what they show looks like one) then just powering the thing off, switching and then powering it back on ought to do it. But YMMV, I'm not liable for any powered USB damages or user error, I haven't tried it myself, and with the apparent cost of those things I'm not sure I would.
Can someone help me find a USB switch that takes two inputs and has two ouputs? I want to share my Keyboard & Mouse between two computers I have at my desk. I only will ever need to use 1 computer at a time so I don't want to use a solution like Synergy and I would prefer a physical switch. This product is almost exactly what I need but it only takes 1 input. I want to plug both the keyboard & mouse into it (and not have to buy another combiner).
So the flow would go:
[Keyboard] -> [Switch]
[Mouse] -> [Switch]
--
[Switch] -> [Comp 1]
[Switch] -> [Comp 2]
I think you would most likely need two independent hubs, one for the HDMI/Displayport and one for the USB connection, devices such as this https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-One-Button-Swapping-Between-Computers/dp/B006Z0Q2SI
I think there does exist some devices which switch both HDMi and USB but are expensive, like
This seems dumb. The webcam still has a microphone that could be tapped into.
If you are really paranoid you should use something like https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-One-Button-Swapping-Between-Computers/dp/B006Z0Q2SI and just have the second switch not hook up to a computer (therefore basically acting like a USB on/off switch). I guess that is unless he is using a laptop or desktop with the integrated cam, in which case I think if they have activated your webcam that's the least concerning thing that they could do damage with.
Hey, so I think this is what I'm going to go for. What KM Switch are you using?
One curiosity I have is that most of what I've found seem to have just one USB outport.. how do I plug both my mouse and keyboard into it?
Using a splitter cable is a bad idea. Because of how USB protocol works (it's a beast) you'll blow one of the controller chips, most likely the one on the RAMBo.
What you need is a KVM switch, or just the USB portion of that. Get this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006Z0Q2SI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_t9NPxbBF3J8HX
You're not the only one with this problem. I'm working on a good solution for enabling flashing over Raspberry Pi. Ran into the same inconvenience a bunch of times.
Two ways(untested).
One way would be to connect dumb device to a smart phone that can act as USB storage. Enable Wifi file server android app and point to the folder where dumb device dumps to. Then write an rsync script. If dumb device don't see smartphone, read on.
This is another way but you're getting your hands dirty. Get either one of these or something like this. https://www.amazon.ca/Plugable-One-Button-Swapping-Between-Computers/dp/B006Z0Q2SI
If you have a hub laying around test it with dumb device.
It's an A/B switch for a hub. You can either push the button yourself or get an arduino(the arduino alone could be config'd to A/B*) and mod it so it pushes that button on a script that runs every x minutes.
Script idea: x=10 1. 10 minutes up yet? 2. get USB from AB to linux. 3. sync data somewhere. 4. send USB back for 10 minutes. 5. goto 1
- /r/arduino would be better to look into that if you're interested. This method would probably work the best.
KVM switches are a thing, but you are looking more for a USB switch. Pair it up with hubs if necessary.
Here is one example: https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-One-Button-Swapping-Between-Computers/dp/B006Z0Q2SI
Edit: The link is A/B, but you want one that is A/A
I've been using this for a while with a Logitech universal wireless keyboard and mouse. Works great!
I have a similar setup as OP and I use a USB switch to change my peripherals over from my Mac to PC (and vise versa).
I use this one: http://www.amazon.com/Plugable-One-Button-Swapping-Between-Computers/dp/B006Z0Q2SI
It's carefully hidden under my desk so it looks like I'm pressing a secret button to switch over.
Plugable Technologies on Amazon. I ordered a USB peripheral sharing switch from them. It came in this box.
This is awesome. Seriously, great job on all the documentation you’ve put together!
I went through a similar research phase when I ran into the same issue. I wanted to game at home with my PC, but had to share my monitors with my work MacBook.
I might not have landed on the hardware you’d be interested in, but I ended up going with Plugable’s AB Switch, coupled with a docking station.
I recently posted an article on my personal website about my home desk/office setup that you might be interested in (You can find it here). I’m putting together a separate article on my AB Switch + docking station setup too.
That's a completely different kind of cable. That's an optical-to-optical cable. Unless you have a device like one of the old MacBook Pros that had SPDIF optical in their 3.5mm jacks, this cable is useless for you. Most 3.5mm jacks do not have optical (red light) signals going out of them.
To connect the PC to the Modi, you could use a USB switch to share the Modi between them, which makes it possible to switch between PC and iPhone with a press of a button.
Alternatively, if your PC has a SPDIF-out port of either optical or coax types, you can use an optical or coax cable respectively.
Lastly, if you would like to avoid USB switches, and rely on the Modi's switches, you would get a USB optical adapter and a optical/coax cable of your choice.
Yes. I use a gaming PC for flight/space sims, and a mini PC to fly RC aircraft. I used an older revision of this thing to swap my input devices from one PC to the other. It works great.
There are usb 2.0 and usb 3.0 switches. If you just have mouse/kb, I’d suggest something like
Plugable USB 2.0 Switch for One-Button USB Device Port Sharing Between Two Computers (AB Switch) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006Z0Q2SI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_7E2S2377DWCSP3RCFFB7
If you need usb 3.0 and have devices that need power or data xfer ability, you want something like,
Limited-time deal: UGREEN USB 3.0 Switch Selector 4 Port 2 Computers Peripheral Switcher Adapter Hub for PC Printer Scanner Mouse Keyboard with One Button Switch and 2 Pack USB Male Cable https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N6GD9JO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_dl_96H6N0NR57DQ1SQ0NVYV?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006Z0Q2SI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
This usb switch can connect 2 PC to a single usb port. Using a usb hub in that usb slot will enable you to switch as many items as you want.
I've been using this one for a few years now with no issues: https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-One-Button-Sharing-Between-Computers/dp/B006Z0Q2SI
The only thing that's important, afaict, is that the Raise gets power because of all the LEDs and such, so plugging it into a bus powered switch/hub may not be enough juice. However, I happen to use an older model of https://smile.amazon.com/Plugable-One-Button-Sharing-Between-Computers/dp/B006Z0Q2SI/ which is not powered, but since I use it to switch a powered USB hub (specifically https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VDVCQ84/) the keyboard gets enough power that way.
I actually share 6 different USB devices this way (keyboard, mouse, touchpad, mic, webcam, external DAC) and sometimes even have a 7th plugged in, and it works fine. The key is, from what I can tell, that the hub itself is solidly powered, and I generally trust Anker products to get the power situation right. (As for monitor, I used to do what u/OrangePurpleGreen does, but my current monitor doesn't handle switching between its inputs that well -- it's a budget 4k monitor -- so I have a DisplayPort switch as well, which conveniently plugs into one the power ports on my USB switch.)
I use this cheap USB switcher I got off of Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B006Z0Q2SI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I play a lot of Rainbow Six Siege and haven't noticed any lags or disconnects.
Something like this might be what you're looking for: https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-One-Button-Swapping-Between-Computers/dp/B006Z0Q2SI
Yeah you can get one of these.
https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-One-Button-Swapping-Between-Computers/dp/B006Z0Q2SI
Just plug your mouse into it and you push a button and it'll swap between the PC's.
As /u/Astec123 said, you can use a KVM switch.
If you really just want to share a mouse and not a keyboard / monitor as well, you can also use a USB A/B Switch.
Another option is Synergy, software that you install on both computers that just shares the mouse and keyboard between them. I have used a previously available free version across 8 workstations driving 32 LCDs and it worked perfectly.
this might work. If not then you will be out of luck.
You could just get a dirt cheap USB switcher. $50 for a mouse to do what software or a $15 dongle can do is a bit absurd, I agree.
Is there something like this that's bluetooth? https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-One-Button-Swapping-Between-Computers/dp/B006Z0Q2SI Cause that would be amazing
Ah. Well something like this would probably work for you. Just don't plug in a 2nd computer and it's pretty much just a switch.
https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-One-Button-Swapping-Between-Computers/dp/B006Z0Q2SI
Unfortunately, all the ones are designed to switch 1 connected device between two computers, which could work.
https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-One-Button-Swapping-Between-Computers/dp/B006Z0Q2SI
https://www.amazon.com/Cute-USB-2-Port-Hub-Splitter/dp/B00A81ISJ6
https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-USB-2-0-Cable-Male/dp/B00NH11KIK/
Ok, so you'd plug the USB splitter into a USB port on your computer, Then you'd run the USB 2.0 B cable into one of the USB B ports on the switcher.
Then you'd remove the adapter from the ifi, plug it into the other usb B port on the switcher, and then plug the dac into the usb A port on the other side.
The "two computers" would be the line with the ifi, and the line without.
Search for "switching USB hub."
https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-One-Button-Swapping-Between-Computers/dp/B006Z0Q2SI
Yeah, only instead of PS/2 ports and VGA, just for USB.
Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-One-Button-Swapping-Between-Computers/dp/B006Z0Q2SI
But guaranteed to work with wireless dongles for keyboard/mouse combos.
http://www.amazon.com/Plugable-One-Button-Swapping-Between-Computers/dp/B006Z0Q2SI Use this with two usb hubs to switch from PC to mac and back.
I use this Plugable one, connected to a USB dock that the mouse/keyboard connect to
After a bit more searching, it seems like something like this is what I need:
http://www.amazon.com/Plugable-One-Button-Swapping-Between-Computers/dp/B006Z0Q2SI
It should.
I also found this one, which is specifically for USB.
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