<div>
Use a KVM switch. That also allows you to use the same mouse and display on both PC's.
</div>


Use a KVM switch. That also allows you to use the same mouse and display on both PC's.

<div>
A KVM would be the best solution.<br />
<br />
I can recommend the Belkin KVM's but they aren't cheap.
</div>


A KVM would be the best solution.

I can recommend the Belkin KVM's but they aren't cheap.

<div>
Joe, that looks more like what i need (a KVM is not very handy here, isnce the idea is to gain room on the desktop)<br />
<br />
anyway - keep the suggestions coming in
</div>


Joe, that looks more like what i need (a KVM is not very handy here, isnce the idea is to gain room on the desktop)

anyway - keep the suggestions coming in

<div>
nobus,<br />
I used a little Velcro to secure it to the stand of one of my monitors, so other than the cables running out the back, it takes up no additional desk space (one of the advantages of laying it on its side, rather than the upright stance, is that it fits nicely between the monitor's stand and the lower bevel). Regards, Joe
</div>


nobus,
I used a little Velcro to secure it to the stand of one of my monitors, so other than the cables running out the back, it takes up no additional desk space (one of the advantages of laying it on its side, rather than the upright stance, is that it fits nicely between the monitor's stand and the lower bevel). Regards, Joe

<div>
I'm using several KVM's, and they don't waste my desktop space (I have them behind the displays, or sitting somewhere else out of the way). But you'd have to make sure you get one that you control with keyboard shortcuts (with one of mine you change the PC by pressing &quot;Scroll Lock&quot; twice, and then the numeric key for the port you want to change to, or on another it is pressing the left &quot;ctrl&quot; key twice, and then also the numeric key).<br />
<br />
Using those shortcut keys means you can place the KVM really out of the way as you don't need physical contact to them.
</div>


I'm using several KVM's, and they don't waste my desktop space (I have them behind the displays, or sitting somewhere else out of the way). But you'd have to make sure you get one that you control with keyboard shortcuts (with one of mine you change the PC by pressing "Scroll Lock" twice, and then the numeric key for the port you want to change to, or on another it is pressing the left "ctrl" key twice, and then also the numeric key).

Using those shortcut keys means you can place the KVM really out of the way as you don't need physical contact to them.

<div>
ok - good suggestions<br />
joe, i believe i saw somewhere a 2 port usb switch, but can't find it<br />
i even believe it was yesterday on EE
</div>


ok - good suggestions
joe, i believe i saw somewhere a 2 port usb switch, but can't find it
i even believe it was yesterday on EE

<div>
nobus,<br />
The same folks who make the 4-port one I use also make a 2-port one:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/USB-Device-Switch-Printer-Scanner/dp/B000I97N4O/" rel="ugc">http://www.amazon.com/USB-Device-Switch-Printer-Scanner/dp/B000I97N4O/</a><br />
<br />
Regards, Joe
</div>


nobus,
The same folks who make the 4-port one I use also make a 2-port one:
http://www.amazon.com/USB-Device-Switch-Printer-Scanner/dp/B000I97N4O/ [http://www.amazon.com/USB-Device-Switch-Printer-Scanner/dp/B000I97N4O/]

Regards, Joe

<div>
Oh, wait, did you mean two USB ports...that is, switch two USB devices?
</div>


Oh, wait, did you mean two USB ports...that is, switch two USB devices?

<div>
If you meant switching two USB devices, you could use either of the two switches I've suggested (the 2-port one or the 4-port one, depending on how many computers you're switching to) and make the device that's being switched a small, 2-port USB hub, such as this one (but you must be switching low-power devices, as both the switch and the hub are bus-powered):<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Plugable-USB-2-0-Port-Hub/dp/B005HKIDF2/" rel="ugc">http://www.amazon.com/Plugable-USB-2-0-Port-Hub/dp/B005HKIDF2/</a><br />
<br />
I haven't tried this, but I see no reason why it wouldn't work (other than power and the usual issue of some devices not liking USB hubs). Regards, Joe
</div>


If you meant switching two USB devices, you could use either of the two switches I've suggested (the 2-port one or the 4-port one, depending on how many computers you're switching to) and make the device that's being switched a small, 2-port USB hub, such as this one (but you must be switching low-power devices, as both the switch and the hub are bus-powered):

http://www.amazon.com/Plugable-USB-2-0-Port-Hub/dp/B005HKIDF2/ [http://www.amazon.com/Plugable-USB-2-0-Port-Hub/dp/B005HKIDF2/]

I haven't tried this, but I see no reason why it wouldn't work (other than power and the usual issue of some devices not liking USB hubs). Regards, Joe

<div>
for some reason - my answer was not posted<br />
see the original Question :<br />
the guy has 2 PC's - and wants to use only 1 keyboard (i assume USB)<br />
so what type of switch is needed?
</div>


for some reason - my answer was not posted
see the original Question :
the guy has 2 PC's - and wants to use only 1 keyboard (i assume USB)
so what type of switch is needed?

<div>
&gt; he guy has 2 PC's - and wants to use only 1 keyboard (i assume USB)<br />
<br />
OK, then the first two I mentioned. If he wants some room for growth (a third or fourth PC in the the future), then this one:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000I96BL0/" rel="ugc">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000I96BL0/</a><br />
<br />
If he's confident that it will never be more that two PCs, then this one:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/USB-Device-Switch-Printer-Scanner/dp/B000I97N4O/" rel="ugc">http://www.amazon.com/USB-Device-Switch-Printer-Scanner/dp/B000I97N4O/</a><br />
<br />
Regards, Joe
</div>


> he guy has 2 PC's - and wants to use only 1 keyboard (i assume USB)

OK, then the first two I mentioned. If he wants some room for growth (a third or fourth PC in the the future), then this one:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000I96BL0/ [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000I96BL0/]

If he's confident that it will never be more that two PCs, then this one:
http://www.amazon.com/USB-Device-Switch-Printer-Scanner/dp/B000I97N4O/ [http://www.amazon.com/USB-Device-Switch-Printer-Scanner/dp/B000I97N4O/]

Regards, Joe

<div>
<div class="content wysiwyg-content">
Hello,<br />
<br />
i am looking for a way to connect the same keyboard to 2 different PC's<br />
solutions can be usb, wireless, PS/2 - or other<br />
<br />
suggestions?
</div>
</div>


Hello,

i am looking for a way to connect the same keyboard to 2 different PC's
solutions can be usb, wireless, PS/2 - or other

suggestions?

keyboard used on 2 PC's

A desktop computer is a personal computer designed for use at a single location due to its size and power requirements, usually by one person. The most common configuration has a case that houses the power supply, motherboard, disk storage (usually one or more hard disk drives and optical disc drives); a keyboard and mouse for input; and computer monitor and printer for output. The case may be oriented horizontally and placed atop a desk or vertically and placed underneath or beside a desk.

Desktops

Components are those devices that are internal to a computer -- the PC boards, the central processor (CPU), the memory (RAM), disk and video controllers and so on.

Components

A peripheral device is defined as a computer device, such as a keyboard or printer, that is not part of the essential computer (i.e., the memory and microprocessor). These auxiliary devices are intended to be connected to the computer and used in conjunction with it. Examples of external peripherals include mouse, keyboard, printer, monitor, external Zip drive or scanner, while internal peripherals include CD-ROM drive, CD-R drive or internal modem. Today's new devices, such as tablets, smartphones and wearable computing devices are considered peripherals as they can be connected and used on a computer system. The difference, however, is that these devices can run independently of the computer system.