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pshady

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Mar 10, 2005
267
192
los angeles
Hi - I have monitor using a single USB C cable that I can connect to my MacBook. I would like a way to split that USB C connector into two, so I can connect one to my Macbook and one to my desktop, and switch between the two. I can't seem to find anything that would do this. Thanks in advance for your help!
 
Hi - I have monitor using a single USB C cable that I can connect to my MacBook. I would like a way to split that USB C connector into two, so I can connect one to my Macbook and one to my desktop, and switch between the two. I can't seem to find anything that would do this. Thanks in advance for your help!

You are welcome. While this exact model may not be the one for you what you eventually need is US—c or Thunderbolt 3 KVM switch.
 
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All these hubs have connection to multiple monitors but only to one computer. I need the ability to connect via USB-C to two computers so I can switch between them. Obviously they can’t be in use simultaneously.

Screen sharing may be a possibility. Using the Macbook as the computer with the keyboard/mouse for the control of the second computer without the monitor connected, then you could have the sharing window for the desktop on the large monitor.
 
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Hi - I have monitor using a single USB C cable that I can connect to my MacBook. I would like a way to split that USB C connector into two, so I can connect one to my Macbook and one to my desktop, and switch between the two. I can't seem to find anything that would do this. Thanks in advance for your help!

im on same boat! its hard to find something... my set up is different but closest thing i found was this https://www.kvm-switches-online.com/gud3c04.html

this wont work for me but might be what you need... if you find a good solution post it up cause i need something as well.

i have a mac mini with the LG 4k ultrafine + Lenovo laptop that that uses the LG monitor and a viewsonic HDMI monitor. i have to unplug it 4x a day and i want a KVM switch to make things easier...

surprised theres not an alternative to this....
 
This is not exactly how you want it but definitely workable. The BenQ PD3220U can be connected to two computers and share keyboard and mouse. For example you can connect to your macbook through thunderbolt 3 and to your desktop using displayport and usb. The monitor comes with a dedicated hotkey puck which has a button to switch between the two.

So when connected at the same time you can switch on the go with one button on the hotkey puck including switching mouse and keyboard to the other computer.
 
A little bit of a fudge, but hopefully if i throw the idea out there someone can fix it up or build on it. From google listings (but without time to check) some of the "magnetic" USBC cables are able to transmit video - even 4K.

How about a short USBc M -> F cable plugged into the monitor with the F piece somewhere accessible, and the magnetic end of one of them connected to it. Then attach this to the desktop. But another one that's identical, keep the magnetic end of that cable somewhere safe. Use this like a manual switch between the two.
 
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Considering the price of the "solutions" above, why don't you just get a second display (one for each computer)???
 
Considering the price of the "solutions" above, why don't you just get a second display (one for each computer)???

To clarify - I have a dual monitor set up going through a thunderbolt 3 dock which has a usb c cable to connect to the computer. I need a switch for that end of the set up to use my dock with two computers (one laptop, one desktop), but obviously not at the same time.
 
same here, i do it up to 4x a day.
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A little bit of a fudge, but hopefully if i throw the idea out there someone can fix it up or build on it. From google listings (but without time to check) some of the "magnetic" USBC cables are able to transmit video - even 4K.

How about a short USBc M -> F cable plugged into the monitor with the F piece somewhere accessible, and the magnetic end of one of them connected to it. Then attach this to the desktop. But another one that's identical, keep the magnetic end of that cable somewhere safe. Use this like a manual switch between the two.

this is actually pretty good idea! order 2 sets plug 1 to each computer! plus its cheap!
 
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A little bit of a fudge, but hopefully if i throw the idea out there someone can fix it up or build on it. From google listings (but without time to check) some of the "magnetic" USBC cables are able to transmit video - even 4K.

How about a short USBc M -> F cable plugged into the monitor with the F piece somewhere accessible, and the magnetic end of one of them connected to it. Then attach this to the desktop. But another one that's identical, keep the magnetic end of that cable somewhere safe. Use this like a manual switch between the two.
boom that little idea worked! poor mans KVM switch LOL
 

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Can you tell me what brand of cable you used?

no cable needed, using the cable that came with the LG ultrafine monitor.

i bought 2 of these from Amazon, plugged one male end to the USC c port on my mac mini and 1 to the Thinkpad.

 
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