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May 3rd, 2021 10:00
Dual Computer Functioning Simultaneously on same Doc Stations
Hardware: I have a XPS 13 7390 and a Latitude 7420. I also have a Dell WD 19 docing stations with two Dell P2219H monitors. Last, I have a Logitech wireless mouse and keyboard plugged into the docing station that controls whatever computer is plugged in.
Objective: I would like to be able to plug both computers into the same docing station at the same time and toggle between instances of the computers through the same mouse / keyboard set up. This would allow me to switch between laptops quickly and all on the same hardware rather than having to unplug / plug in separate laptops depoending on which I want to use at a given moment.
Thanks.
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jphughan
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May 3rd, 2021 11:00
@rkprather The device you're describing would be a USB-C host switch, if it existed. I've seen devices like this for USB-A devices, where for example you can have a 4-port USB hub that connects back to two different PCs, and you can toggle which PC can see those peripherals at any given time. But I haven't seen this for USB-C yet, possibly because of the additional complexity of dealing with video and power on top of USB data, or maybe just because the required cost of the product and the expected market demand haven't yet created enough incentive for someone to build this product. There's also a real potential for confusion in that some users will inevitably not read the product description and will then discover that this type of device will not allow the dock to keep providing power to both laptops simultaneously -- and then they'll generate costly product returns and negative reviews for the vendor even though it was their own fault for not reading.
So for now you'll need to just move the cable back and forth. If you don't need to use the laptop's built-in display while docked, you can simplify this somewhat by keeping both laptops with their lids closed and putting one on top of the other. Since both laptops have USB-C ports on the left, it's easier to move the cable that short distance.