Geek Help Needed - How to hook up 2 desk setups to one laptop?

Fedorgasm

Fedorgasm

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So I have a sitting desk and a treadmill desk next to each other. Each desk has 2 monitors, a mouse, keyboard, and headset that are all plugged in via a laptop docking station. So when I switch from one to another, I unplug my laptop from the docking station, then move to the other desk where I plug it into the new docking station.

It's annoying because all my apps and windows are spread across 2 monitors, and when I unplug from the dock then everything gets squished onto 1 small monitor while I'm moving the laptop, and when I'm plugged into the new docking station I have to spend a couple minutes moving everything around so it's spread across 2 monitors again. Not only that, but I think plugging and unplugging the USB-C cable from the dock so frequently will wear out the port. I've had this happen before with other connectors.

I want to be able to quickly transition between desks, but when I google dock or KVM switches then the results are all for people who want to use 2 computers with 1 desk setup. I want to do the opposite and use 1 computer with 2 desk setups.

Any ideas?
 
Hdmi switch to move the other monitors whilst leaving the computer in the other doc. Maybe.

might have to get wireless keyboards and mice that can both be connected at the same time.
 
90 50 said:
Hdmi switch to move the other monitors whilst leaving the computer in the other doc. Maybe.

might have to get wireless keyboards and mice that can both be connected at the same time.
Click to expand...

That’s what I was thinking as well. Just need a 4 port HDMI splitter, long enough cables and wireless mouse and keyboard.


Edit:

Actually you can probably just use this and connect each docking station to switch between. The input from the laptop to the docking station is usb-c right?

USB 3.0 Switch Selector, 2 in 1 Out USB Switcher for 2 Computers Share 1 USB Devices, Mouse, Keyboard, Scanner, Printer, Etc https://a.co/d/4RBHCLH
 
Last edited:
get a newer laptop,

preferably a ThinkPad

Screenshot-20230605-215901-3.png
 
Fedorgasm said:
So I have a sitting desk and a treadmill desk next to each other. Each desk has 2 monitors, a mouse, keyboard, and headset that are all plugged in via a laptop docking station. So when I switch from one to another, I unplug my laptop from the docking station, then move to the other desk where I plug it into the new docking station.

It's annoying because all my apps and windows are spread across 2 monitors, and when I unplug from the dock then everything gets squished onto 1 small monitor while I'm moving the laptop, and when I'm plugged into the new docking station I have to spend a couple minutes moving everything around so it's spread across 2 monitors again. Not only that, but I think plugging and unplugging the USB-C cable from the dock so frequently will wear out the port. I've had this happen before with other connectors.

I want to be able to quickly transition between desks, but when I google dock or KVM switches then the results are all for people who want to use 2 computers with 1 desk setup. I want to do the opposite and use 1 computer with 2 desk setups.

Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Found your pic:
iu
 
Fedorgasm said:
So I have a sitting desk and a treadmill desk next to each other. Each desk has 2 monitors, a mouse, keyboard, and headset that are all plugged in via a laptop docking station. So when I switch from one to another, I unplug my laptop from the docking station, then move to the other desk where I plug it into the new docking station.

It's annoying because all my apps and windows are spread across 2 monitors, and when I unplug from the dock then everything gets squished onto 1 small monitor while I'm moving the laptop, and when I'm plugged into the new docking station I have to spend a couple minutes moving everything around so it's spread across 2 monitors again. Not only that, but I think plugging and unplugging the USB-C cable from the dock so frequently will wear out the port. I've had this happen before with other connectors.

I want to be able to quickly transition between desks, but when I google dock or KVM switches then the results are all for people who want to use 2 computers with 1 desk setup. I want to do the opposite and use 1 computer with 2 desk setups.

Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Go hang out at your local gloryhole. You'll either figure it out spontaneously or some helpful chap you meet there will figure it out for you.

Your welcome! ;)
 
You just need 6 laptops, make sure there top spec gaming laptops, once you get them send me 5..... Your problem is solved...
 
Fedorgasm said:
I think plugging and unplugging the USB-C cable from the dock so frequently will wear out the port. I've had this happen before with other connectors.
Click to expand...
It will. Those USB-C ports are flimsy.

Maybe you could get a KVM switch. Just have one dock. Have the video out from the dock go into the KVM switch. Then, have video cables going out from the KVM to each monitor. You just switch channels depending on which monitor you want to use. Idk if there are any switches that do two monitors per channel though. And I’m really tired. So that may all just be bullshit anyway. I can’t think it through.

Edit: yeah, that won’t work unless there is a KVM with dual video outputs. Idk if they make those. Maybe they do. Someone had to have had this problem before.
 
Fedorgasm said:
So I have a sitting desk and a treadmill desk next to each other. Each desk has 2 monitors, a mouse, keyboard, and headset that are all plugged in via a laptop docking station. So when I switch from one to another, I unplug my laptop from the docking station, then move to the other desk where I plug it into the new docking station.

It's annoying because all my apps and windows are spread across 2 monitors, and when I unplug from the dock then everything gets squished onto 1 small monitor while I'm moving the laptop, and when I'm plugged into the new docking station I have to spend a couple minutes moving everything around so it's spread across 2 monitors again. Not only that, but I think plugging and unplugging the USB-C cable from the dock so frequently will wear out the port. I've had this happen before with other connectors.

I want to be able to quickly transition between desks, but when I google dock or KVM switches then the results are all for people who want to use 2 computers with 1 desk setup. I want to do the opposite and use 1 computer with 2 desk setups.

Any ideas?
Click to expand...
7odugq.jpg
 
Iron Mang said:
That’s what I was thinking as well. Just need a 4 port HDMI splitter, long enough cables and wireless mouse and keyboard.


Edit:

Actually you can probably just use this and connect each docking station to switch between. The input from the laptop to the docking station is usb-c right?

USB 3.0 Switch Selector, 2 in 1 Out USB Switcher for 2 Computers Share 1 USB Devices, Mouse, Keyboard, Scanner, Printer, Etc https://a.co/d/4RBHCLH
Click to expand...
Ok I think you're on the right track. I was looking at your link and that device is for 2 computers to use one set of devices. I need the opposite, 1 computer for 2 sets of devices.

But because I looked at that link, I noticed other products that were listed as bi-directional, so it can be 2 to 1 or the reverse, 1 to 2. So I think I can plug one laptop into 2 docks. Thanks man!

The wireless keyboard and mouse are also good ideas. Thanks bros, I didn't think of that. Then all I'd have to do would be to get HDMI splitters for my monitors. (It maybe it's display port. I'll have to check it).
 
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