Optimal Dock / USB Switch Setup for Work Laptop + (Non-TB) Desktop PC

[joncollin81]

Hi there,

I have the following desk setup for my work laptop + desktop PC:

• Work Laptop: Dell Precision 5570
  • Connected to Dell WD22TB4 Dock
    • Connected to Monitor (AOC CU34G2/BK 34" Ultrawide) via HDMI
    • Connected to Router via Ethernet
    • Connected to USB Switch as Device 2
• Home Desktop PC: Gigabyte X570 I Aorus Pro WiFi-based (No Thunderbolt)
  • Connected to Monitor via DP
  • Connected to Router via Ethernet
  • Connected to USB Switch as Device 1
  • Connected to Speakers via 3.5mm Audio Out
  • Connected to Microsoft XBOX360 Wireless Receiver via USB (not required for Laptop!)
• USB Switch: UGreen 2-in / 4-out Sharing Switch Box
  • Connected to Webcam
  • Connected to Wired Mouse
  • Connected to Keyboard via Logitech Mini Receiver

This setup has worked fairly well for the last few years so on the basis of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it!", might not need any change.

However... appreciate any guidance / advice / tips if there are ways I could improve upon this. My key goals are as follows:

• Minimal clutter in terms of unnecessary cables
• Consolidation of Dell Dock and USB Switch into single box (is this even possible given my PC does not support Thunderbolt?)
• More USB-C ports for charging phones / tablets, etc, ideally PD-enabled for faster charging (these do not necessarily need to allow Laptop / PC connectivity, power-only would be fine)
• Use of Speakers for Laptop as well as Desktop PC

Appreciate any / all feedback from the wonderful OCUK Community, thanks folks!

 

[cokecan]

Have you considered a cheeky monitor upgrade to one that includes a KVM? That would do away with the Dell dock and depending on laptop, likely power it too over USB-C/TB PD. At most you might want to retain your USB switch or just replace with a basic USB hub if the monitor doesn't have enough ports but if it does, it'll also switch peripherals too. Only consideration that might need a bit of thought is ethernet for the laptop if you can't use/don't want to use wifi.

 

[joncollin81]

Thanks for the suggestion, @cokecan. Since my monitor isn't that old and still works really well, I can't quite justify that upgrade... yet! But I'll definitely bear it in mind when the time is right. Monitor / KVM in one device is a great idea. Appreciated

 

[R.C.Anderson]

TBH you're unlikely to find anything that makes it much neater without spending a decent chunk of money.

I've got a similar setup, with a work laptop connected to a TB dock & my PC, each has a different input into each monitor (I have 3), and the KB/Mouse is connected to a USB switch (it's actually one I built myself, but works similar to the way as your u-green one does). My speakers have multiple inputs too, so I have the USB connection to my PC & the jack input to my TB dock.
It means to switch I have to change the input on each of the 3 monitors seperately, flick the USB switch & switch the speaker input, but I'm not switching often (mainly at the end of the work day, if I'm gaming that evening, then again the next morning when I start work again), so it works fine. I've looked for all in 1 solutions before, but to get a KVM that can switch 3 1440p screens, it's several £100s, so not worth it.

You could probably get away with a cheaper KVM, as you only have 1 screen to switch, then you'd just put the output from both your PC & dock into the KVM, and have 1 output from the KVM to your monitor, then all get switched at the same time (just make sure you get a KVM that supports the video connections & resolutions etc that you need). Beyond that, there's not much you can do to tidy things up.

 

[cokecan]

Just to expand on what R.C.Anderson said, if you use both the laptop and desktop at the same time then you'll be looking at KVM's that have EDID emulation too which will likely bump the price a bit. Without it, each machine will effectively see you disconnect the monitor each time you switch which will impact window positioning of any thing that's open. With laptops too, especially with clamshell mode and a single USB-C/TB cable for all connectivity, the laptop may keep entering sleep mode if it see's the monitor disconnect when switching (without EDID emulation).

I do seem to remember another forum member finding a KVM with built in docking station that did support EDID emulation. I can't remember what it was but I remember there being an Amazon link.