Forum Discussion

Finally_Time's avatar
Finally_Time
Explorer
Mar 16, 2014

Using one monitor and keyboard for two computers?

Because XP support is being discontinued, I bought a new HP laptop with Win 7 Professional and Office 2007. (Great deal compared to ones with Win 8). I have a lot of Publisher 2003 docs that I use frequently which won't convert seamlessly to 2007. I thought I would keep the XP PC off line and access it when I needed some of those docs and use the laptop for everything else. Question: I like the 22 inch monitor and large keyboard. Is there a way I can hook up the monitor and keyboard to both the PC and laptop and be able to easily switch back and forth? It's kind of difficult to get behind the PC and monitor to plug and unplug the keyboard and monitor.

15 Replies

  • I'm curious.. what about lack of XP support causes you to not keep using it? I use a Vista machine for offline tasks and probably will until the computer dies. And I never get support or updates.
  • KVM switch- that show we do ours. we use a Trend Net KVM switch from Amazon- I think it was around 20.00.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    I've been doing this for years with a high-end workhorse DELL M90 laptop computer setup. I use the DELL DOCKING station at both the house and in the RV trailer. All I do is pull the LAPTOP from the house and plop it into the docking station in the RV. Everything is 99% the same setup from the house and RV. I also use dual 24-inch screens, ext mouse, keyboard, sound speakers, and different inputs supporting my Ham radio and additional USB hard drives permanently installed at both locations... The DELL Docking units supports all of these hookups.

    Been doing this since 2009 with my OFF LEASE purchase M90 laptop which is using XP-PRO still. Cost $450 from ebay off-lease seller back then and was still in DELL warrenty...

    I'm thinking I will wait it out after the MS updates stop coming in and find another OFF-LEASE deal for a more updated Dell M6500 series or newer LAPTOP with WIN 7.

    It is kinda neat to always use the same laptop computer when at home or on the road...

    Roy Ken
  • yup, easily done. you need what's called a KVM Switch (Keyboard-Video-Mouse) and they are available everywhere on line and in stix & brix stores.