Connecting two laptops to one mouse/keyboard

pavb2

Hi all

I’ work with two laptops and Usually just swap the Logitech mouse/keyboard receiver From one to the other to use The same keyboard and mouse. I’ve now lost the receiver so will have to get a new mouse/keyboard. But is there anyway I can connect both laptops to the same mouse/keyboard without having to Constantly swap the receiver from one to the other.

I’ve looked at kvm switches and mouse without borders software but wondered if there was a simpler solution.

If I got two Logitech unifying receivers one for each laptop and one mouse/keyboard would this work.

The aptops are used independently and I don’t need to transfer files from one to the other or work on them at the same time.

Any help appreciated

ronivek

This is what I use from time to time: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00B1RX0L2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You just push a button on the little device to switch from one computer to the other; handier than swapping the dongle but not quite as cheap

Manic Moran

I’ve looked at kvm switches and mouse without borders software but wondered if there was a simpler solution.

I use a KVM, how much simpler do you want it to be? It's a button on the front. Push button, and the monitor/mouse/keyboard swap to the other computer. (Only caveat is to be careful you select a KVM capable of running the monitor resolution you want, apparently 4k isn't universal, as I discovered).

Evidently there's some functionality or interface you want which I'm missing.

pavb2

ronivek wrote: »

This is what I use from time to time: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00B1RX0L2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You just push a button on the little device to switch from one computer to the other; handier than swapping the dongle but not quite as cheap

Thanks Ronivek so does the mouse/keyboard receiver just plug into that hub?

ronivek

pavb2 wrote: »

Thanks Ronivek so does the mouse/keyboard receiver just plug into that hub?

Yep and then you have two USB cables going from the hub into both laptops; you just press the button to switch between the two computers.

niallb

pavb2 wrote: »

...I’ve now lost the receiver so will have to get a new mouse/keyboard...

Maybe not. If they use a Logitech Unifying receiver you can just get another one.

I've done this several times - I had Microsoft keyboard/mouse wireless ones before and if you lost the dongle you lost everything, so I only buy Logitech now.


Not all Logitech products use the same dongles, but if it had a small orange logo on it you could be in luck.

pavb2

niallb wrote: »

Maybe not. If they use a Logitech Unifying receiver you can just get another one.

I've done this several times - I had Microsoft keyboard/mouse wireless ones before and if you lost the dongle you lost everything, so I only buy Logitech now.


Not all Logitech products use the same dongles, but if it had a small orange logo on it you could be in luck.

Thanks Niall but unfortunately keyboard or mouse don't have the unifying symbol.

Which of the below would be the best?

https://go.skimresources.com/?id=61111X1383796&isjs=1&jv=14.1.5-stackpath&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.boards.ie%2Fvbulletin%2Fnewreply.php%3Fdo%3Dnewreply%26p%3D113955336&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.co.uk%2Fgp%2Fproduct%2FB00B1RX0L2%2Fref%3Dppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title%3Fie%3DUTF8%26psc%3D1&xguid=01E7JHGFY0HK8EKJRD3HNQDPWV&xs=1&xtz=-60&xuuid=7b80701f632f49aa5e1ea7e89374af47&xjsf=other_click__auxclick%20%5B2%5D

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07VZTZ7M2/ref=sspa_dk_detail_3?pd_rd_i=B07VZTZ7M2&pd_rd_w=N5Psx&pf_rd_p=91bac49e-c2d1-4227-b6bc-b47dfda352fe&pd_rd_wg=j563T&pf_rd_r=XQ01JKTM2Q3Y8NQTPVF0&pd_rd_r=fb0a36e2-4eb8-481f-8873-e01e76559238&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExVVZLSVA5UFdDTkFLJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNzI2NDA0MVRLSjBUUTRUS1FFWSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwODQwOTEyMkU3U1FGWVhVQ0JXJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfZGV0YWlsX3RoZW1hdGljJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ&th=1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07WMG6LB7/?coliid=I3H0EJ2024LZNR&colid=2OPXVFY8SXUE2&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

GarIT

https://symless.com/synergy

https://www.howtogeek.com/317962/how-to-use-logitech-flow-for-mice-and-keyboards-across-multiple-computers/

You can just scroll off the edge of one screen onto the next with those, no need for switching with a button or anything. There was a free software called something like mouse without borders but it appears to be gone; maybe you can find an old version.

smuggler.ie

pavb2 wrote: »

If I got two Logitech unifying receivers one for each laptop and one mouse/keyboard would this work.

Yes*

*Check supported Logitech devices and system requirements
https://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/options/page/flow-multi-device-control

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFhNlYddNYQ

Just BT works as well

niallb

GarIT wrote: »

... There was a free software called something like mouse without borders but it appears to be gone; maybe you can find an old version.

There's a free fork of synergy which is up to date. It's called Barrier.

https://github.com/debauchee/barrier

niallb

I'd go for the third one as it's USB 3.0 capable.
If you're getting this kind of switch, would you consider one that switches video too?

By the way, the logo I mentioned is on the dongle - not necessarily the keyboard or mouse. What model keyboard / mouse do you have?

pavb2

niallb wrote: »

I'd go for the third one as it's USB 3.0 capable.
If you're getting this kind of switch, would you consider one that switches video too?

By the way, the logo I mentioned is on the dongle - not necessarily the keyboard or mouse. What model keyboard / mouse do you have?

The keyboard is a K270 so I don’t think it’s unifying compatible. Any recommendations on Which Kvr switch would switch video And have usb slot for keyboard/mouse receiver?

Johnboy1951

pavb2 wrote: »

The keyboard is a K270 so I don’t think it’s unifying compatible. Any recommendations on Which Kvr switch would switch video And have usb slot for keyboard/mouse receiver?

Seems you are mistaken?

pavb2

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

Seems you are mistaken?

Thanks Johnboy I had a unifying receiver before And downloaded The Logitech software but couldn’t get it to pair with the keyboard or mouse so thought they were incompatible

Johnboy1951

I wondered if this would do what you need?

https://symless.com/synergy

Share one mouse and keyboard between multiple computers
Synergy is a software download that shares one mouse and one keyboard between multiple computers. Simply move your mouse between your computers effortlessly. You can even copy and paste between computers. Synergy works on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Raspberry Pi. You only need a regular Ethernet or WiFi network connection, and no special hardware. It works like magic.

JoyPad

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

I wondered if this would do what you need?

https://symless.com/synergy

I've been using this software for a long time, since it was a free program.
It works well if you have to use multiple computers at the same time, as both machines (Windows, Linux, Mac) have to be on at the same time. One of the machines is the server, and it has the keyboard and mouse attached, and one or more other machines are clients. You configure the geometry, what edge of what machine connects to what edge of what other machine, and then you can travel freely across. Another great feature is the handling of the paste bin (Clipboard): something you Copy on one machine can be Pasted on another machine.

Recently, I gave up using it, as I purchased a mouse and keyboard that make this software obsolete: the Logitech MX series. Pricey, but great.

smuggler.ie

JoyPad wrote: »

the Logitech MX series.

Yeah ,what can i say...still using MX5000 since ~2005

Mouse is gone, replaced with Masters, but keyboard is rock solid.
Course had to give "toothbrush" cleaning service several times and replace A, W, D

Johnboy1951

Just to add that because Synergy went commercial, there is a fork of the original open and free version available ....... it might be worth checking out if interested .....

https://github.com/debauchee/barrier

https://github.com/debauchee/barrier/releases

Windows d/load
https://github.com/debauchee/barrier/releases/download/v2.3.1/BarrierSetup-2.3.1-release.exe

antix80

One option is to buy the Logitech MK850 keyboard and connect one laptop with the unifier and the other with bluetooth (or both through bluetooth).

You can actually connect three devices in this way and use the third switch for your mobile phone or games console.