USB switchers - recommendations

[fbm3334]

Hello,

I am wondering if anyone on here has any experience with USB switchers? I am thinking of getting one so that I am able to use my keyboard and mouse with both my MacBook (docked with a Lenovo USB 3 dock) as well as my desktop PC without having to move cables around. The number of ports does not matter, as I'll probably use my monitor's inbuilt USB hub (Dell U2515H), but ideally I would want USB 3 as I may use hard drives etc. through the switcher.

I have seen this UGreen one on Amazon UK - I am just wondering whether there are any others I should consider?

Thanks for your help in advance 😊,

Finn

 

[JohnHunter84]

I really like this one: Anker 4-Port USB 3.0 Data Hub with Individual Switch for MacBook.
Because:
- Four-in-one: transform one USB port into 4, letting you plug more in and be more productive.
-Convenient control: individual power switches for each USB port make swapping peripherals a breeze.
-Universal compatibility: optimized to operate flawlessly with almost any USB device.

 

[fbm3334]

I really like this one: Anker 4-Port USB 3.0 Data Hub with Individual Switch for MacBook.
Because:
- Four-in-one: transform one USB port into 4, letting you plug more in and be more productive.
-Convenient control: individual power switches for each USB port make swapping peripherals a breeze.
-Universal compatibility: optimized to operate flawlessly with almost any USB device.

That looks good, but it's not necessarily what I'm looking for - I ideally want something that would allow me to switch USB devices between two devices (my MBP and my desktop PC) - that just seems like a USB hub with individual switches for each USB port.

 

[clueless88]

Are your devices powered on at the same time? If not, you could consider looking into Logitech Wireless keyboards and mice with unifying receivers. If you bought the keyboard and mouse separately they would come with their own unifying receivers (they typically have an orange asterisk on the usb receiver dongle). You could then download the Logitech unifying software on your PC (or MBP) and pair the mouse to the keyboard receiver and then do the same with the keyboard and the mouse receiver. You'd then have 2 receivers paired to the same keyboard and mouse--plug one receiver in your MBP, the other into your desktop PC. You will be able to use the keyboard and mouse with both machines--the only kicker would be if both machines were on and active at the same time.

 

[fbm3334]

Are your devices powered on at the same time? If not, you could consider looking into Logitech Wireless keyboards and mice with unifying receivers. If you bought the keyboard and mouse separately they would come with their own unifying receivers (they typically have an orange asterisk on the usb receiver dongle). You could then download the Logitech unifying software on your PC (or MBP) and pair the mouse to the keyboard receiver and then do the same with the keyboard and the mouse receiver. You'd then have 2 receivers paired to the same keyboard and mouse--plug one receiver in your MBP, the other into your desktop PC. You will be able to use the keyboard and mouse with both machines--the only kicker would be if both machines were on and active at the same time.

I already own a Logitech K380 keyboard and MX Anywhere mouse, but the reason I am looking is that I own a wired mechanical keyboard - it would be nice to be able to use this on the Mac as at the moment, it is always plugged into my PC. Also, I am looking into getting a webcam when the stocks improve, and it would be good to use this on both my Mac and my PC.

 

[clueless88]

I see that the K380 has the capability of pairing with 3 different bluetooth devices with the F1,2,3 buttons, you should be able to pair that with your mac and your PC. Does the MX mouse have the same capabilities? I see that there is a unifying dongle as well as bluetooth. If you could go from Mac to PC with the wireless devices with a push of a button, am not sure if you need a wired keyboard/mouse and usb switch. Does Logitech make standard sized keyboards with the same functionality as the K380?

Apparently the mouse and keyboard likes to be paired with one unifying receiver at a time--tried to pair them with two different dongles simultaneously and it didn't work.