Workstation setup

[hrnewson]

(UK based)

Hi all,

I am building a workstation at home and I was looking for a bit of advice about docking stations and switch plugs.

I have the following tech which it would be nice to use the same keyboard, monitors (still to be purchased), and mouse. I have a printer (canon) too but it doesn't seem compatible with my laptop.

1) Asus Chromebook
2) HP laptop
3) Windows desktop

I have a limited budget but I'd like advice on what tech to get so I can switch between them including any recommendations on monitors.

Thanks

 

[Tech Junky]

Depends on what types of USB / Thunderbolt ports you have.

Any "docking station" would work in multiplying your ports to allow for additional connectivity. For dual monitors you want at least 2 ports to plug them in. Simple USB docking stations with dual monitors can be as cheap as $100 providing dual HDMI / VGA options or DP.

https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Universal-Docking-Station-Ethernet/dp/B00ECDM78E

Universal Laptop Docking Stations | StarTech.com

StarTech.com laptop docks simplify IT deployment

www.startech.com

 

[hrnewson]

Depends on what types of USB / Thunderbolt ports you have.

Any "docking station" would work in multiplying your ports to allow for additional connectivity. For dual monitors you want at least 2 ports to plug them in. Simple USB docking stations with dual monitors can be as cheap as $100 providing dual HDMI / VGA options or DP.

https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Universal-Docking-Station-Ethernet/dp/B00ECDM78E

Universal Laptop Docking Stations | StarTech.com

StarTech.com laptop docks simplify IT deployment

www.startech.com

I guess my main question is will there be a problem because they are different OS systems?

 

[Tech Junky]

USB is USB.

The issue might come into play with the video drivers being applied within Chrome. windows/apple/linux should be fine though. Since Chrome is running as a skin over Linux it should also work but, I've never played with a Chrome book to know for sure.

 

[pauldun170]

(UK based)

Hi all,

I am building a workstation at home and I was looking for a bit of advice about docking stations and switch plugs.

I have the following tech which it would be nice to use the same keyboard, monitors (still to be purchased), and mouse. I have a printer (canon) too but it doesn't seem compatible with my laptop.

1) Asus Chromebook
2) HP laptop
3) Windows desktop

I have a limited budget but I'd like advice on what tech to get so I can switch between them including any recommendations on monitors.

Thanks

What you want to search for is "multi device" keyboards and mice.
You'll find a few options out there. Look for those that have usb dongle and bluetooth for maximum flexibility.

My setup

I have 3 monitors
3 devices - laptop, a Raspberry PI and desktop.
Desktop is multi-monitor and my primary device. All the monitors are multi input so I can switch as needed to what I have displayed.
Typically I have work on my 2 nice monitors and my gimpy old laptop on the 3rd. I rarely check on the PI so I only occasionally bring that one up.

I use a M720 mouse and MXKeys, each allows you to use with 3 devices.
Works with the Logitech receiver or over bluetooth.
Using Logitech flow, you can some cool stuff (However...I found it to flake out every couple of weeks so I don't use the advance features anymore.)
It was worth the $$$ ditching multiple keyboard and mice and since I had a lot of cheapo logtiech keyboards, I was able to reuse the receivers on the laptop and pi instead of using bluetooth (USB worked a lot better in my case. bluetooth would occasional;ly have a hickup on the Pi)

Logitech sells a couple of multi device keyboard and mice though they might be a little pricey (depending on your perspective).

 

[pauldun170]

As for monitors, you'll need multiple inputs but if you are on a budget, you may want to figure out what your usage is going to be and what ports\adapaters you will need.
You may want one monitor that supports 3 inputs and then based on if you are using multimonitor for only some of the devices then you can find cheaper monitors with 2 inputs.

 

[mxnerd]

Maybe

https://www.amazon.com/Selector-Switcher-Sharing-Keyboard-3840x2160/dp/B089ZW5PW5

Like @Tech Junky had said, USB is just USB, however Chrome is a different beast of Linux variant.

You probably have to try it yourself.

 

[Brainonska511]

I have a single USB port switch that cost about $15 many years ago; it allows me to share the port with two computers (work laptop + personal desktop). My wireless keyboard/mouse plugs into the switch. My two 24" Dell monitors have multilple inputs, so I have one set of inputs going to my personal computer and one set going to my work laptop's dock.

KVM and KVMPs

www.iogear.com

This is the switch I use, but they have others in the link above: CDW Link

 

[MtnMan]

You need a KVM (keyboard, video, mouse) switch that would support the interfaces you have on your gear. They are independent of the OS.

As for your laptop/printer not playing well with each other, that's a driver issue and will not be effected by a KVM switch.