For a work project, I have a personal laptop that I use for connecting to my workplace (which may soon be replaced with a work-provided laptop), remotely, and a client’s laptop, that I use for connecting to theirs.
I also have two portable 1080p 15.6″ monitors. Both laptops have 1 HDMI cable, and 1 USB-C cable for video output or accessory connections. I’ve been switching my keyboard and mouse, by plugging and unplugging the cables between the different computers and just making do. In addition to kind of poor ergonomics, I’m done with the discomfort and the hassle.
I asked around, did some web-based research, and found out about the TESmart kvm switch product line. I also found out that Redditors recently seem to have CKL kvm switches as their favorites. Anyway, I finally made my decision and decided to go with TESmart. I got the 2-computers, 2-monitors switch, with HDMI hookups. I can use an inexpensive ($20) USB-C based “docking station” (unwillingly linking to Amazon here) to duplicate HDMI output ports for each laptop if I need to.
Sometimes it really helps to write things down.
So anyhow, the TESmart switch (a 2-computer, 2-monitor switch) is ordered (and on sale today) from the manufacturer, not fkn Amazon. I should get the 2nd portable monitor today. I already have some nice stands to elevate the portable monitors above the laptop screens.
I would also like to get a clamp-on keyboard and mouse tray, because the ergonomics of my setup aren’t working well for me. The tabletop where I’m currently set up is too high. So it would be nice to lower the height of the keyboard and mouse to get the strain off my wrists and elbows. Though maybe I can get a real convertible standing/sitting desk to sit at, regardless.
Come to think of it I might also need some good power strips, to provide more USB-C power cables for the external monitors, etc. Looks like these can either be $40-$50 with 3-4 powered USB-C ports or hundreds of dollars for more and higher power requirements. It appears to be hard to find conventional power strips with more than 1 or 2 powered USB-C ports.
I will update this post when I have a better idea of the final cabling configuration with the TESmart kvm switch.