Keyboard splitter?
 

I'm getting a second laptop from the company for whom I'm doing some part time work.

I'd like to continue to use my external Lenovo track-point keyboard since the new laptop has only a touchpad (which I hate).

Does something like this exist: a box I can plug the external keyboard's USB plug into and then split the output to both computers, with a switch on the box (?) to switch between computers?

Search for KVM Switch, it sounds like that’s what you want.

Or depending how you value security, there are "wireless kvm" stuff like synergy

(One mouse/keyboard controlling multiple computers)


https://symless.com/synergy

Yes you need a USB KVM switch and coincidentally I've just bought one. Mine is this one https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01CU4QD1I/ref=twister_B071YT7CWZ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 which I got on Monday and so far is working well. It comes with two USB A to USB A cables as well as the device itself. This does not do screen switching but it doesn't sound like you're going to need than that.

Thanks. Will look for something similar for a U.S. product.

What would be even more perfect is a box that with one switch I could switch the keyboard between computers and at the same time switch the video output to the external monitor between the the two computers.

That is exactly what a KVM switch does.

KVM = Keyboard Video Mouse

:)

Just be sure you get one whose video output port matches what your computers and monitor have.

Thanks for edumcating me :D

The price range on these things is pretty wide.

I need to share one Lenovo trackpoint keyboard (so combo mouse keyboard that has a USB interface) and one HP HDMI external monitor.

Huge number of choices on Amazon and I don't know what I'm doing (what's new :))

Will this work? Any cautions or suggestions or ??

Looks fine, as long as both computers have HDMI monitor ports. It doesn't come with HDMI cables so you'll need two more as well.

Sorry what I posted was technically a "Keyboard Mouse" switch since it doesn't do "Video". That was all I needed since the other computer is an old all in one and doesn't do video out. Check carefully what outputs you have from your computers and what the monitor takes. I'm assuming you've checked and it's all HDMI but I know someone who bought something similar to the one you posted. They then discovered that one computer only did DVI/VGA the other (work laptop) only did HDMI and the Monitor only had DVI/VGA inputs. Had to buy an adaptor for the work laptop.

Don't buy that box, too many cables. You'd get less cables with http://a.co/id2Lij6 (even cheaper at http://a.co/dl9KUm4) for example. I presume you have an 1080p monitor, going above will make things... complicated.

Mouse Without Borders is a good software solution.

Thanks to all :)

I did end up purchasing this one, since it was the cheapest mouse-and-HDMI option I could find.

To my utter amazement, it worked right out of the box -- despite the fact that there are zero instructions in it. All the writing/labeling on the box is in Chinese (which I don't read) so I was pleased that it took very little trial and error.

I was worried when I looked at the thing and saw it had a DV 5V input (and there is no electrical adapter in the box). But it works fine (I guess a) it gets its power from USB and b) the DC 5V input may be for those who might be using the HDMI function only?)

The other odd thing about the item is the cabling: it comes with two USB cables to attach the splitter to the PCs, but one end is USB (for the computers) and the other end has a male printer cable plug (I would have expected USB to USB). Fortunately, I had the two HDMI cables on hand.

What you are describing is a standard USB A/B cable. A cable with USB A on both ends is fairly uncommon. I think I have only seen it used with external hard drives.

I learn something every day :) Thanks

In fact, I think A-A USB cables are prohibited by the USB people.