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DeskHop – Fast Desktop Switching

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Re: DeskHop – Fast Desktop Switching

#41

Post by nine_k »

ccakes wrote: post #8
mariopt wrote: post #6

I bought 4 USB hubs just to switch the keyboard and mouse, it's just so annoying how most devices are so terrible. Randomly you have to physically detach the hub several times a day. If you plug webcams and/or USB mics, it only gets even worse. I'm using Synergy software and it works well, but I still want a proper KVM that can allow for webcams, mics, audio, etc. Features like moving only a group of plugged devices…

> KVM users are underserved for sure. 100% I want to share keyboard, mouse and monitor between a PC and a MacBook. A KVM with DP+USB on one side and Thunderbolt on the other doesn’t seem to exist.. I feel like this has to be a common use case :( I know I could break out on a dock first, but I have a particularly high-res monitor which most of the docks baulk at, or only support at 30Hz

Most monitors have 2-3 inputs. Mine has a desktop, a laptop, and occasionally my phone attached to it, using HDMI, DP, and another DP / USB-C respectively.

Unless you switch really often and want subsecond switching time, three's no need to even use a KVM to switch the monitor.

Re: DeskHop – Fast Desktop Switching

#43

Post by zschuessler »

One of the coolest hack projects I've seen in some time. Looking at the schematics took me back to my electronics technology class, learning the value of heat syncs and accidentally setting amps on fire :,)

Having an accompanying explainer article or video is something I'd pay/donate for, just out of sheer curiosity of the work involved.

Re: DeskHop – Fast Desktop Switching

#44

Post by conwaytwitty »

ccakes wrote: post #8
mariopt wrote: post #6

I bought 4 USB hubs just to switch the keyboard and mouse, it's just so annoying how most devices are so terrible. Randomly you have to physically detach the hub several times a day. If you plug webcams and/or USB mics, it only gets even worse. I'm using Synergy software and it works well, but I still want a proper KVM that can allow for webcams, mics, audio, etc. Features like moving only a group of plugged devices…

> KVM users are underserved for sure. 100% I want to share keyboard, mouse and monitor between a PC and a MacBook. A KVM with DP+USB on one side and Thunderbolt on the other doesn’t seem to exist.. I feel like this has to be a common use case :( I know I could break out on a dock first, but I have a particularly high-res monitor which most of the docks baulk at, or only support at 30Hz

If you want a proper kvm, see the offering from level1techs/wendell (not affiliated, just a satisfied customer) at https://www.store.level1techs.com/products/hardware

I used one with 4x dual dp switching at home to run desktop with linux, pcie passthrough gaming vm on same machine and my work laptop via a dell thunderbolt dock connected to it.

Works extremely well, with modern features tested for (gsync, high refresh etc etc).

edit: one thing to note is that you need really good quality cables, so don't cheap out

Re: DeskHop – Fast Desktop Switching

#46

Post by sixothree »

michaelmior wrote: post #3

Synergy works well for this purely in software. Unfortunately it's not free or open source, but it's relatively inexpensive. https://symless.com/synergy

I have a saying “nothing sucks like synergy but they all do”. Not a single one of these technologies is reliable. But synergy is the one that has multiple times made even the connected keyboard stop working to the point where the machine needs to be power cycled to become responsive.

Re: DeskHop – Fast Desktop Switching

#47

Post by nirav72 »

This been one of my biggest frustrations - I also use a USB 3.0 switch to toggle mouse & keyboard input between two PCs. I'll be on a teams call meeting where I don't have a lot to say and then someone mentions my name or messages me. I'm suddenly fiddling around looking to find the button to switch inputs back to the PC running teams. I thought about wiring up a ESP32 or Rpi Pico W with couple of optoisolators to the button pins on the USB switch. Then expose a http endpoint to simply toggle inputs between two machines via autohotkey script + keyboard shortcut. Only problem was that I couldn't come up with a way to determine which input is active. So gave up on the idea. But I like this solution.

Re: DeskHop – Fast Desktop Switching

#48

Post by damagednoob »

IshKebab wrote: post #18

> All I wanted was a way to use a keyboard shortcut to quickly switch outputs, paired with the ability to do the same by magically moving the mouse pointer between monitors. Most KVM switches have a keyboard shortcut (mine is scroll lock, scroll lock, 1/2). Mine also supports the mouse based switching but it's unusable because to work it needs to emulate a mouse with zero acceleration. Also this doesn't switch video.…

I have a KVM switch[1] and it's double middle mouse click to switch outputs. Works well with Mac, Linux or Windows.

[1]: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08GBXTW2Q?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_sh...

Re: DeskHop – Fast Desktop Switching

#49

Post by rplnt »

Just responding to the clunky and slow switching that is available. I have this wireless DELL mouse+keyboard set that switches quite easily and fast. Supports up to three devices (dongle + 2x BT). Dedicated key for tge switch, wirelss is instant, BT takes roughly 2 seconds.

I can't recommend it though, as the mouse scroll wheel broke pretty quickly, and it's apparently a common problem. Can't "warranty it" individually. I do like the keyboard so far.

Re: DeskHop – Fast Desktop Switching

#50

Post by jbverschoor »

nine_k wrote: post #41
ccakes wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> KVM users are underserved for sure. 100% I want to share keyboard, mouse and monitor between a PC and a MacBook. A KVM with DP+USB on one side and Thunderbolt on the other doesn’t seem to exist.. I feel like this has to be a common use case :( I know I could break out on a dock first, but I have a particularly high-res monitor which most of the docks baulk at, or only support at 30Hz

Most monitors have 2-3 inputs. Mine has a desktop, a laptop, and occasionally my phone attached to it, using HDMI, DP, and another DP / USB-C respectively. Unless you switch really often and want subsecond switching time, three's no need to even use a KVM to switch the monitor.

Even at twice per day switching using monitor controls would drive me nuts. The buttons, the menu, the delays, blanking and disconnects. By then I already forgot why I was even switching
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