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    Docking station for dual notebooks

    Discussion in 'Accessories' started by bisklimpkit, Mar 22, 2016.

  1. bisklimpkit

    bisklimpkit Notebook Consultant

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    I have a home based business where I switch between notebooks at times throughout my day. Is there a docking station that I can have both laptops connected to and switch between them? I only use a single external monitor, along with a keyboard and mouse.
    Thanks.
     
    bisklimpkit, Mar 22, 2016
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  2. KLF

    KLF NBR Super Modernator Super Moderator

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    You could connect two docking stations with a KVM switch to use them with one kb/mouse. You can connect KVM directly to the laptops too.
     
    KLF, Mar 22, 2016
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  3. Kent T

    Kent T Notebook Virtuoso

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    Yes, that is the only viable way I see this being doable.
     
    Kent T, Mar 22, 2016
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  4. bisklimpkit

    bisklimpkit Notebook Consultant

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    bisklimpkit, Mar 22, 2016
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  5. KLF

    KLF NBR Super Modernator Super Moderator

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    That's a USB hub with built-in usb lan, usb gpu and usb sound cards... really expensive too.
    Only special thing is that it connects with two computers at once.

    Basically that's a good, expensive way to get crappy performance on two computers at once. :p
     
    KLF, Mar 22, 2016
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  6. bisklimpkit

    bisklimpkit Notebook Consultant

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    Hahaha...well, that's not what I'm going for! So back to the initial suggestion of two docking stations with a KVM switch; what would that look like? I have an old USB 2.0 docking station that I'd keep using I suppose, and then add another station and the KVM switch. Any suggestions as to what products are decent?
     
    bisklimpkit, Mar 23, 2016
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  7. KLF

    KLF NBR Super Modernator Super Moderator

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    Skip everything usb connected altogether. If you need to connect something like usb-hdd to share between both computers, get a separate device for that.

    KVM to both computers directly.

    Unless your computers fit a docking station like this:
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    KLF, Mar 23, 2016
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  8. bisklimpkit

    bisklimpkit Notebook Consultant

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    One computer would be able to have a fancy docking station (Lenovo T530) but I believe it's going to be upgraded soon by the client who provides it to me. The other machine I'll be connecting is the Sager (listed in my sig).

    In regard to shared HDD, I'm getting a home server setup to accomplish that.
     
    bisklimpkit, Mar 23, 2016
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  9. KLF

    KLF NBR Super Modernator Super Moderator

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    In that case, indeed forget all the docking stations in this case. Directly connect KVM switch to both computers to achieve best performance.
     
    KLF, Mar 23, 2016
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  10. bisklimpkit

    bisklimpkit Notebook Consultant

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    I'll look into that, then. Thanks for the help!
     
    bisklimpkit, Mar 23, 2016
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  11. bisklimpkit

    bisklimpkit Notebook Consultant

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    I ended up going the cheap (free) route for now. I downloaded 'Mouse Without Borders' by MS Garage. I can use a single mouse and keyboard to control both machines seamlessly now. The only problem I have now is that I can't share the monitor between the two without using a switch, but this is still more efficient than things were before.
     
    bisklimpkit, Mar 26, 2016
    #11