Question about using same keyboard/mouse with two computers

Duvan · 12 Dec 2022 at 14:53

If you insert a wireless mouse/keyboard USB-dongle in your monitor, and you use it with two different computers (monitor inputs) - can you just by changing the input signal on the monitor, decide which computer currently uses the keyboard/mouse? I.e. you can leave the USB dongle in the monitor. Never owned a monitor with USB ports, that's why I don't know

I don't mean KVM by the way.

And do all computers support using mouse/keyboard through a monitor? I have a HP Elitebook Folio 1040 G3 laptop that is several years old, so a bit concerned about that one.

Duvan · 12 Dec 2022 at 15:28

Yes, exactly.
Ah, I see now that monitors that have USB A:s also have a USB-B port, so that is for connecting to the computer then? Wasn't aware of that detail

So if I want to do what I wrote, I need a USB-switch, and that would not be connected to the monitor at all then but to the two computers and to the USB keyboard/mouse dongle...?

Duvan · 12 Dec 2022 at 15:55

Which USB hub do you mean? The built in one on the monitor?
Why would the USB switch need to be connected to that one?

Duvan · 12 Dec 2022 at 16:28

Hmm, maybe I'm missing something, but if my purpose is to be able to use the same mouse/keyboard USB-dongle on two computers sharing the same monitor, wouldn't it make more sense to connect the two computers to a USB switch that hosts the mouse/keyboard dongle, and leave the monitor out of the equation?