I'm trying to set up a smooth workflow at home where I can easily switch between my personal and work Dell laptops. Both laptops have different ports and require specific certified chargers to avoid boot issues. I want to connect them to my peripherals without too much hassle, but I'm a bit lost on the best solution.
Here's a rundown of what I've got:
**Laptop 1 (Linux):**
- 2 x USB-C
- 1 x Thunderbolt 3
**Laptop 2 (Windows):**
- 1 x USB-C
- 1 x Thunderbolt 4
- 2 x USB-A
- 1 x HDMI
**Peripherals:**
- Wireless mouse and keyboard
- Web cam
- 2 x 1200p monitors
- Audio interface
I'm not too concerned about extra features like SD card slots or high refresh rates. I just want something that works efficiently and looks decent enough. Would a dock be necessary in my case, or should I just look for a good KVM switch? What setup do you recommend?
3 Answers
You might want to consider getting two docking stations paired with a KVM switch, though that could mean a mess of cables. Alternatively, opting for just one docking station that you can plug into and switch the USB-C cable could simplify things quite a bit.
I’ve had success using a single USB-C dock for my setup. I connect my work laptop through that to all my peripherals, including Ethernet and a secondary display. I keep my USB devices switched, so I don’t have to unplug them all the time.
For monitors, I use a direct HDMI connection for my work laptop and utilize DisplayPort for my desktop. It’s been working pretty well instead of going through a full KVM.
What’s the downside to using a standard KVM in your setup? Just curious, it sounds a lot like my arrangement and I’m trying to declutter.
Thunderbolt 3 works great with two 1200p monitors at 60hz. There are KVM switches that support USB-C and Thunderbolt with power delivery too. But if your Dell laptops are picky about power supply, you might have to stick with two Dell Thunderbolt docks and connect a separate KVM with DisplayPort and USB. It might complicate things with more cables, but it might work best for your needs.
Are there specific issues with KVM docks? Just trying to get a handle on what the limitations might be.