Question for the computer geeks

[sammm]

I have a home desktop and a work laptop (with docking station). My desktop video card and docking station will accept HDMI, DVI or VGA connections. I have 2 monitors that will accept all 3 as well.

How do I connect both machines to be able use both monitors (extend my desktop across them), and allow me to switch between the 2 computers? I'd like to share the USB mouse and keyboard too. I've been looking at KVM switches, but not sure exactly what I'd need. Thanks!

[wrx74]

Looks like it gets pretty expensive if you want to switch dual monitors. Switching the sound is something else to consider.
I have an old school PS2 Mouse/Kybd, VGA switch that does 4PCs. New PCs and Laptops don't have PS2 and VGA is going away fast!

[sammm]

^It can be expensive for sure! I wonder if I can simply switch inputs on the monitor(s) to access the PC I want?

Say I hook-up my desktop video to HDM1 on MON1, and DVI on MON2, then hook up the laptop video to DVI on MON1, and HDMI on MON2.

Make sense?

PS - I really only need 1 monitor for home use, but having 2 for work makes it much easier.

[Avarice]

Do you use a VPN to connect to work on your work laptop?

[sammm]

Do you use a VPN to connect to work on your work laptop?

Sort of, but not a traditional VPN. It's called Pulse-Secure.

[wrx74]

^It can be expensive for sure! I wonder if I can simply switch inputs on the monitor(s) to access the PC I want?

Say I hook-up my desktop video to HDM1 on MON1, and DVI on MON2, then hook up the laptop video to DVI on MON1, and HDMI on MON2.

Make sense?
PS - I really only need 1 monitor for home use, but having 2 for work makes it much easier.

If you could use the laptop screen for one work monitor, you could use a single display port switch. PC would have one display switched and the second monitor would always show the PC. The laptop would switch one display and use the laptop screen for the other.
The investment in the switch/cables needs careful consideration. USB 2.0/3.0? Will you want to share USB storage between the two computers? What connections will your next PC/Laptop/Monitor support?

[sammm]

^Laptop screen is too small, I typically keep the lid closed. No USB storage sharing, just keyboard and mouse.

[wrx74]

^It can be expensive for sure! I wonder if I can simply switch inputs on the monitor(s) to access the PC I want?

Say I hook-up my desktop video to HDM1 on MON1, and DVI on MON2, then hook up the laptop video to DVI on MON1, and HDMI on MON2.

Make sense?

PS - I really only need 1 monitor for home use, but having 2 for work makes it much easier.

Then you could use this to switch just the mouse/keyboard: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001D1UTC4...AWNAREYR7N6WZY

[sammm]

^Thanks! I'll have to experiment with monitor input switching to be sure it will work as I'm hoping.

[Avarice]

Well, if the laptop has network connection to the PC, then I would have the Laptop use one of the displays and the PC use the other like stated above. But, for the keyboard / mouse sharing, there is software to share between the computers. http://symless.com/download/free/ They have a paid version, but have not ever tried that. I have used the free version in years past, and it works great.

[Avarice]

Another option. Also if your PC can see the Laptop on the network. Run a VNC server on the laptop and view it on the PC. You could just maximize the vnc viewer on a monitor.

[sammm]

^I forgot to mention I don't have admin access on my laptop....locked down for the most part. I need a hardware solution.

[Avarice]

Oh, go with a KVM then.

[sammm]

Oh, go with a KVM then.

For the keyboard and mouse? Switching monitor inputs should work as I want?

[Avarice]

It should be easy :)

[sammm]

It should be easy :)

ftfy.

[chriscar]

I wonder if I can simply switch inputs on the monitor(s) to access the PC I want?

Yes. My situation is similar to yours. I have 3 monitors, and 2 computers. Computer 1 is my home PC, which has a 3 output video card, computer 2 is a work laptop with a docking station which has 2 video.

During the day, the desktop goes to a single monitor, the laptop feeds the other two. I switch the inputs with the front panel buttons on the monitors.

After work, I go into the control panel of my desktop, and enable all 3 monitors.

Since I use both machines during the day, I have 2 keyboards & mice. There are apps (like http://symless.com/synergy/ ) which allow you to share a keyboard between multiple computers via your home network, but since you're connecting to a VPN, that may not work for you, so you'll either need a cheap KVM, or 2 keyboards & meices.




C

[sammm]

^Great, thanks Chris!

I tried a quick experiment when I got home today. 1 monitor, with HDMI to home PC, and VGA to laptop. I was able to switch inputs from the monitor, and get my desired result.

PS - I'll most likely get a KVM for KB and mouse. Can't install software on work laptop.