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Connect Two Computer To A Single Screen
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| Key to Instructions To help readers follow the instructions in this article, we use two different typefaces. Boldface type is used to identify the names of icons, agendas and URLs. Sans serif type indicates commands and instructions that users should type into the computer and the names of files. |
Q. I use two computers in my office—a desktop and a small laptop. When I work on the laptop, I usually plug it into the desktop’s large screen and comfortable keyboard. But the wiring setup is awkward: I have to plug and unplug all those connections each time I move from one computer to the other. Short of setting up a small network, is there another solution?
A. Indeed, there is. It’s not only an easy solution; it’s relatively inexpensive. For about $50 you can buy a device called a KVM switch that links two computers; and for $100 a KVM switch can connect up to four. KVM stands for keyboard, video, mouse.
Here’s how the switch works: You plug your keyboard, video monitor and mouse into the KVM switch and then run cables (which are included) to each computer. There’s no complicated configuration or software to install. Once you connect the plugs, a simple keystroke determines which computer is accessed.
To learn more about them, just type KVM switch into your search engine and you’ll find loads of products and information.
