dual monitor setup to switch between a desktop and a laptop

[Point37]

so currently i have a home dell desktop with dual monitors that i remote into my work dell laptop which stays at the office...i'd like to be able to bring the work laptop home with me and set up my monitors to be able to connect to either the desktop or the laptop (both computers won't be running at the same time) without having to switch a bunch of plugs which will alleviate some of the issues i have with running resource heavy programs through the remote connection (civil 3d, arcmap, google maps & nearmap)...both my monitors at home have 1 displayport, 1 hdmi & 1 vga connection...my home desktop has 1 hdmi and 1 vga which i am currently using both for my 2 home monitors...can i just buy another laptop dock for my home setup and use 1 of the other ports on each monitor and plug them into the dock and just plug my my laptop into a my wifi router?...or do i need some type of switch on each monitor?

[ilikenapalm]

Do both your laptop and desktop have a USB-C port? You can just get a hub and swap it between the two computers as needed.

[Kurlon]

Just use the other inputs, it's how I've got my gaming and dev boxes hooked up to the same monitors. Some monitors are better than others about auto switching inputs, some you have to manually flip via menus FYI. Also, I highly recommend CalDigit's dock if going with a laptop that takes power via USB-C/TB 4.

[Point37]

Do both your laptop and desktop have a USB-C port? You can just get a hub and swap it between the two computers as needed.

only my laptop has a usb c...desktop is older so it does not

[Point37]

Just use the other inputs, it's how I've got my gaming and dev boxes hooked up to the same monitors. Some monitors are better than others about auto switching inputs, some you have to manually flip via menus FYI. Also, I highly recommend CalDigit's dock if going with a laptop that takes power via USB-C/TB 4.

thanks...if i go into my monitor settings there is an input source menu that has the following options: vga, dp, hdmi, auto select (set to on) and reset input source...left monitor is on hdmi...right monitor is on vga...maybe i will get a hdmi to vga adapter so i can run my home computer off the vga ports and get a dock that can run both monitors off of hdmi...with the auto select option on maybe it will pick the input automatically

for a dock as far as inputs i'm trying to think of what i would need...my work laptop dock i have a keyboard and a mouse into 2 separate usb A ports (home i have both on 1 logitech unifying receiver, m570 mouse & k520 keyboard)...i have a fan plugged into 1 of the laptop usb a ports so it shuts down when the computer is off (which it never is off)...i would probably need to get another one of those logitech unifying receivers so i can use my home keyboard and mouse with the laptop as well...not sure if that would work...and i would need at least 1 or 2 more usb A ports for thumbdrives, phone cord or add a usb splitter...so that would be...

2 hdmi or 2 display port connections for the monitors
1 usb a for a logitech unifying receiver
1 usb c for the power & connection to the laptop
1 or 2 extra usb A ports
1 audio port
1 ethernet port
1 power port

i didn't see a caldigit dock that handled 2 monitor connections on amazon

[Point37]

this is what we are running for a dock at work

https://www.amazon.com/Dell-Thunderb...1zcF9hdGY&th=1

[Kurlon]

No such thing as passive VGA to HDMI, and an actual scan converter isn't cheap. Your monitors have both DP and HDMI, you're not using either DP port, use those for the new setup.

The TS4 does dual displays, one directly via DP, the second over Thunderbolt/USB-C to the monitor, which with your setup won't be as easy to accommodate. (Edit: Actually, USB-C to DP cables are cheaper than I thought, so I still like the TS4 as a go to dock for your setup.) I've seen mixed reviews on those Dells, some people love them, some say they're flakey, randomly not being detected or dropping out at times? That's why I ended up with the CalDigit, when researching last year there were fewer problem reports with it and it fit my and my bosses setups. That Dell would be easier to integrate for you though, just use the DP ports directly.

As far as upping your USB port count: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...0?ie=UTF8&th=1
Primary claims to fame for this hub are external power so it can fully supply juice to it's available ports without sapping whatever it's plugged into, and it's got one of the better USB switches in it that is an actual switch and not a hub. Unlike most, if you plug it into a USB3 port on your machine, it doesn't downshift that link to USB2 or 1.1 rates to match the slowest speed device you plug into it, it properly switches the traffic which is great when you've got a bunch of USB2 devices that all need to be chatty at the same time. (VR Tracker dongles in particular.)

[Point37]

No such thing as passive VGA to HDMI, and an actual scan converter isn't cheap. Your monitors have both DP and HDMI, you're not using either DP port, use those for the new setup.

The TS4 does dual displays, one directly via DP, the second over Thunderbolt/USB-C to the monitor, which with your setup won't be as easy to accommodate. (Edit: Actually, USB-C to DP cables are cheaper than I thought, so I still like the TS4 as a go to dock for your setup.) I've seen mixed reviews on those Dells, some people love them, some say they're flakey, randomly not being detected or dropping out at times? That's why I ended up with the CalDigit, when researching last year there were fewer problem reports with it and it fit my and my bosses setups. That Dell would be easier to integrate for you though, just use the DP ports directly.

As far as upping your USB port count: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...0?ie=UTF8&th=1
Primary claims to fame for this hub are external power so it can fully supply juice to it's available ports without sapping whatever it's plugged into, and it's got one of the better USB switches in it that is an actual switch and not a hub. Unlike most, if you plug it into a USB3 port on your machine, it doesn't downshift that link to USB2 or 1.1 rates to match the slowest speed device you plug into it, it properly switches the traffic which is great when you've got a bunch of USB2 devices that all need to be chatty at the same time. (VR Tracker dongles in particular.)

thanks man...great info...i may end up going with the dell dock just due to cost and i know it works fine for the most part...i have had instances where if there are electrical fluctuations sometimes they have to be power cycled...cause i have gone into the office and my laptop was off cause the battery died since there was an electrical issue in the building and the circuit i'm on is weak and will shut down from time to time when there are power fluctuations...i try to turn the laptop on and it won't turn on because it's dead and not getting power from the dock because the dock has to be power cycled...not sure if that is a protective feature or not

i have a this cheap hub at work for my headset for video calls and thumbdrives...i will probably pick up that one that you sent for use at home though

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e?ie=UTF8&th=1

[RandyO]

salleviate some of the issues i have with running resource heavy programs through the remote connection (civil 3d, arcmap, google maps & nearmap)...both my monitors at home have 1 displayport, 1 hdmi & 1 vga connection...

I gave up on 2 monitors and installed a card that supports up to 4 monitors. I have 3 flat screen and one curved, I can't imagine going back to 2 monitors for civil 3d. I use the hdmi ports

[Point37]

I gave up on 2 monitors and installed a card that supports up to 4 monitors. I have 3 flat screen and one curved, I can't imagine going back to 2 monitors for civil 3d. I use the hdmi ports

i don't do a ton of c3d anymore...i have the younger guys do it...i will still get in there from time to time to do a couple minor things but no heavy work...it does cause issues though when i remote in due to the resources it requires...i could use a 3rd monitor just for email and then if i get a 3rd i would want a 4th i'm sure...but if you want more than 2 you have to buy it so fuck that

[RandyO]

i don't do a ton of c3d anymore...i have the younger guys do it...i will still get in there from time to time to do a couple minor things but no heavy work...it does cause issues though when i remote in due to the resources it requires...i could use a 3rd monitor just for email and then if i get a 3rd i would want a 4th i'm sure...but if you want more than 2 you have to buy it so fuck that

Now that I have retired, turning my office/barn into a mancave, going to replace one of the monitors with a huge tv sized

ya, my 4th monitor gets used for email and streaming my fav radio station, keep a window of Task Manager open. my last upgrade to Acad was Civil 3D/Land Development 2015 and I'm still running it on Windows 7

[Kurlon]

I need to go see if anyone's making a large e-ink display again. One of those as a side monitor for email/pdfs/etc would be slick I think, and much easier on my eyes.

[Point37]

picked up the dell dock i posted from amazon...going to get some short display port cables after i see how i decide to set it up...i will probably need to pick up another logitech unifying receiver...not sure if i should get a stand for the laptop at home or just get another fan...the fan i previously bought is only $28 right now so i'll probably go that way

checked what i have plugged in at work:

displayport:
2 monitors

usb A:
logitech unifying receiver
keyboard receiver
webcam
laptop fan
headset
usb splitter
iphone cable