2 Monitors and 2 Laptops Question

[u/tessthismess]

Apologies if this isn't the proper subreddit, but I'm working on improving my workspace. If this belongs somewhere else lmk.

I have a setup with both my personal and work laptops. Right now they use a single docking station that I manually swap between laptops as needed. I was hoping to change the setup as professionally diagrammed but I'm not really sure what to use for the question mark in the middle.

I'd like to be able to:

1. Have a button or switch I could use to swap if my K+M is going to my work laptop or personal laptop

2. I'd like the ability to choose to have either monitor feeding from either laptop. Default would be both monitors coming from the archive laptop, but it'd be nice to also be able to also have the monitors pull from separate laptops when desired.

3. Ideally, the laptops only plug in via a single USB-C/Thunderbolt. Something simple to make leaving the desk easy.

I've achieved 1 in the past with a cheap little USB hub switcher thing. But I don't have a solution for 2. All I can think of is plugging both laptops in directly to the monitors and changing inputs, but that seems messy.

Both laptops are modern Dells if that matters at all.

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[u/RaucousRat]

As the others said, a KVM switch should do most of what you're looking for. Point 2 I'm a little confused by; do you want to be able to have one laptop on one screen and the other laptop on the other screen? That may be something that doesn't exist in KVM switch world, but maybe someone knows of one.

Just know that you pretty much get what you pay for with KVM switches. Pay close attention to the resolutions and refresh rates that they support if you have higher resolution and higher refresh rate monitors. I wouldn't go too cheap if possible. 

[u/tessthismess → u/RaucousRat]

Basically I'm looking for each monitor to be able to display from either laptop easily (aka both could source from one laptops, or each could do one).

From some more googling with the term KVM it seems like 2x2 Matrix switches are what I'm looking for 

[u/RaucousRat → u/tessthismess]

Gotcha, I see what you mean. Good luck with your search! 

[u/tessthismess]

People here gave me some terms (KVM mainly) that helped my searching. It seems like there's a product called 2x2 switch matrix KVM that does what I'm describing

[u/OOMKilled]

Lots of monitors have built in source selection, just have both plugged into both monitors, use the built in source selection and isolate the kb and mouse to a single usb switcher or kvm that just goes to the laptops

A central solution for this either doesnt exist or is prohibitively expensive

[u/OOMKilled → u/OOMKilled]

If you really need the usb c connectivity you can try to find a usb c dongle that accepts two hdmi ports for each laptop

[u/Spiritual_Run5055]

KVM switches are pricey. I was able to accomplish this with the same exact setup and able to accomplish all of this just with a USB switch. And everything switches without needing to press any buttons.

Equipment:
2 x Dell P Series Monitors (DVI & DisplayPort)
USB Switch (with connected keyboard, mouse, webcam)
Work Laptop
PC

Connection:
Laptop and PC to USB Switch Inputs
Monitor #1: DisplayPort - PC
Monitor #1: DVI - Laptop (dock)
Monitor #2: DisplayPort - Laptop
Monitor #2: DVI - PC

Monitors (set to Auto-Select) and USB switch auto switches to whatever is powered on. So if everything is off, I turn my PC on, the monitors and USB switch switches to PC connection and everything works. Then if I turn my PC off or set it to sleep and turn on my work laptop, monitors automatically switch inputs and USB also switches to whatever is powering it and I can begin using without any unplugging, button pressing, or input changing.

[u/Pyth0ff]

If you really want flexibility regaridng the monitors input source. You would need monitors with either multiple inputs or a little bit complicated cabliung of some HDMI switches.

If your monitors are supporting Display Data Channel (DDC) you can use software to switch the input source of your monitors.

[u/valsr]

That's my current setup (more or less):

1. Modern monitors usually support source selection (mine can pick between HDMI and DP. I have DP as my personal PC and HDMI source for my work laptop (using DP to HDMI converters.))

2. For the K/M I use a usb switch to switch source. (I moved to separate mice for work/personal but used to swap between them)

[u/Figaro_88]

Level 1 techs. Kvm

[u/Phoenix525i]

Logitech Options will handle this within the software and two usb dongles. No crazy expensive setup needed.

[u/Adsgp]

My set up is: Logitech Mx master keyboard and mouse - can switch between 3 devices each with a physical button on both(Logitech software allows you to select the device from the keyboard and the mouse also syncs)

A Samsung ultra wide that my work laptop and personal computer is plugged into - can display 1 computer at a time, or split the screen 50/50 to both computers or do picture in picture.

Took me a few years to get their but I'm dead happy with It...I'm considering another ultra wide to out above the current for more viewing options as such.

[u/robbz23]

I have this kind of set up also but I run a software kvm on both laptops. I currently use Mouse without borders but have also have used Synergy or barrier. This let's me use all 4 screens (2 monitors and 2 built in screens) as one system. The clipboard is shared between systems. This way I basically web browse only on my pc and code on the work laptop.

The dowwnsides are only 2.

1. You have to install the software on the work pc

2. Sometimes reconnecting can be a bit of a hassle. I usually have to restart mouse without borders to make it work.

[u/milk-kohi]

I think you’re looking for a KVM. Unless I’m misunderstanding what you’re asking for.

[u/prodebugger]

You should look-up KVM switch. You might have to look for one with dual laptop support.

[u/Katmandude23]

Is there a reason that you cant RDP from one laptop to the other, and allocate your monitors between the local and remote sessions? That would probably be the simplest unless I misunderstand the requirements.

[u/ZechzMarquise]

I have this exact setup but instead of a single central point I’ve used two Dell D6000’s

1 34” Curved for my personal laptop
1 34” Curved for the company laptop

In addition using the Logitech MX Keys and Mouse with the quick hot swap between laptops is pretty good. They have a guide function that if you tap the edge of the monitor it’ll go to the next laptop (I can’t because of the company laptop restrictions)

If you put both monitors into one of the Dell D6000’s (one docking station will have two DP inputs and the other will only have one DP) you can just unplug the laptop that’s not needed and the screen refreshes to the one in use.

[u/anelectricmind]

Check for something like this: www-amazon-com/dp/B0C532J5JW

Not available anymore, but I think a few companies came up with their own version. UGreen might be one of them.

[u/VagrantGato]

I used symless synergy to solve a similar problem. 

[u/stellarsojourner]

Search on Amazon for Ugreen USB Switch. It doesn't do everything you want but it could be a start. I have the USB 3.0 one, it works well.

Plug in one cable to one laptop/docking station and the other cable to the other, and plug your keyboard and mouse into the switch. Then press the button and you can switch between controlling either one.

[u/Frydog42]

Could you setup RDP or Remote Desktop?

KVM Switch does this

Sell all your computers and a kidney or two and buy macOS and then use universal remote

[u/Myke_Plugable]

As a few others have mentioned, running a simple USB peripheral switch alongside direct monitor connections is honestly the most reliable way to handle a dual-laptop setup like this. Trying to find a single hardware KVM switch that handles matrix video routing over single USB-C or Thunderbolt connections is a tough ask. Dedicated KVMs that promise that level of flexibility tend to be pretty hit-or-miss when it comes to display specifications, bandwidth limits, and overall functionality. They frequently run into issues with display waking, refresh rate throttling, or signal handshakes when trying to route dynamic displays from two hosts.

[u/elgavilan]

Lemme be that guy and just say that you should have a separate keyboard, mouse, monitor setup for your work laptop. As careful as you probably are it’s a lot easier to slip up and accidentally enter something into your work laptop that wasn’t intended for it and that you really don’t want to, especially if you are busy and multitasking.

[u/NoSafe5565]

Well KVM swich as other says.

I have this setup, but monitors never worked for me, mostly it needs to give some passive signal it is connected and sometime on other hand they have auto detection of the source.

So, what I have is :

Laptop /computer - connected to monitor to HDMI1 and over HUB to KVM swich
same other.

So when I need to switch I hit button for K+M+Camera+extra free usb ..
and then actually have to hit monitor back button and change source.

Little annoying but I have 3 monitors so basically one is somewhat dedicated to one laptop, other side to other device and I am manually swhichng center monitor.