Monoprice 2 x 4 USB 3.1 Gen1 Peripheral Sharing Switch
Product # 38298
UPC # 889028124499
$22.99
$89.99
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My employer recently ended our use of Citrix session and now requires we use a work computer. I have become so used to having my personal computer on one screen and work sessions in another. I have connected my work laptop to my multi-screen setup but I have to use two different keyboards and two different mice on the same desktop. Would this allow me to use one keyboard and one mouse and switch between computers?
A shopper
on Sep 22, 2023
BEST ANSWER: Yes, this is a USB Hub/Switch. There are 4 usb ports for you to connect various devices. Then you plug in the two pictured USB cables into two separate computers. Pressing the little switch button will connect the USB ports to one computer or the other. The USB devices will not be available to both computers at the same time. I have tried a few of these Hub/switches since 2020 and the Monoprice one is the only one to survive longer than a year I'm using it right now!
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- Michael P on Sep 22, 2023
- Purchased on Mar 28, 2023
BEST ANSWER: Yes, this is a USB Hub/Switch. There are 4 usb ports for you to connect various devices. Then you plug in the two pictured USB cables into two separate computers. Pressing the little switch button will connect the USB ports to one computer or the other. The USB devices will not be available to both computers at the same time. I have tried a few of these Hub/switches since 2020 and the Monoprice one is the only one to survive longer than a year I'm using it right now!
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- Michael P on Sep 22, 2023
- Purchased on Mar 28, 2023
Yes. This is exactly the type of use case this device is meant to solve. I have personally used this device for approximately 7 months to switch between a work computer and a personal computer residing in the same physical space. Being a physical device, this unit also has no software requirements, so you don't have to install anything on either computer.
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- John C on Oct 2, 2023
Yes. That is the same reason I use it, and it works fine. If you also want to switch the monitors at the same time, you can look at KVM switches. I decided to just go with this because KVM switches might not transfer all video/monitor information correctly. I have my keyboard, mouse, and 3D mouse all connected and they switch between computers easily.
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- Daniel N on Sep 22, 2023
- Purchased on Oct 27, 2022
Yes, the switch would allow that. I have another version of this model, and I use it for that same purpose. My mouse, keyboard, microphone, and webcam are all plugged into the switch, which is then connected to both my work PC and my personal PC. The press of the button toggles to which PC the devices are connected.
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- Radoslav M on Oct 3, 2023
Yes, I use it for this exact scenario. A Mac for Work and a Windows PC for gaming with one mouse and keyboard, I also share a usb mic and usb camera between the two computers with this switch also.
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- Vernos W on Oct 2, 2023
- Purchased on Aug 1, 2023
Yes, that's exactly what this is for -- the keyboard and mouse plug into this device, you plug this device into both computers, and then the button lets you switch between them.
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- YU H on Sep 22, 2023
- Purchased on Apr 6, 2023
It worked for me. I have one computer running Win 10 and another using Win7 and I switch between them using one mouse, one keyboard and one monitor.
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- Dennis S on Oct 2, 2023
Yes. I use the same keyboard and mouse for my home and work machines and this is an easy click to change them.
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- Ryan on Oct 2, 2023
I don't need your life story, dude. =) Yes, this product will do what you described.
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- Blake L on Sep 22, 2023
- Purchased on Apr 3, 2023
yes, it will allow you to share peripherals between two machines.
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- Zachary F on Oct 5, 2023
- Purchased on Mar 30, 2023
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What material is this? Metal or plastic?
A shopper
on Apr 16, 2021
BEST ANSWER: It is made of plastic, but it doesn't have that thin cheap feel; quite rugged actually. Works like a dream and there's an indicator light to let you know at a glance which system you're working with. At first I thought that was a little gimmicky, but actually its quite useful. Well worth the few coin I spent on it.
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- Ron on Apr 18, 2021
- Purchased on Apr 28, 2020
BEST ANSWER: It is made of plastic, but it doesn't have that thin cheap feel; quite rugged actually. Works like a dream and there's an indicator light to let you know at a glance which system you're working with. At first I thought that was a little gimmicky, but actually its quite useful. Well worth the few coin I spent on it.
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- Ron on Apr 18, 2021
- Purchased on Apr 28, 2020
It's plastic. The body is a tough plastic like ABS, while the top place is a transparent panel like acrylic that's a bit flexible, and a little fragile.
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- Alexander L on Apr 17, 2021
- Purchased on Sep 10, 2020
It is plastic. I’ve used mine every day for the last year without issue.
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- Emer H on Apr 17, 2021
- Purchased on Nov 27, 2020
It's hard plastic. Has a nice finish.
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- Paul K on Apr 17, 2021
- Purchased on Jan 17, 2021
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How long are all the cables?
psynautic
on May 11, 2020
BEST ANSWER: I have already installed them, but as I recall the 2 cables that connect the switch to the computers are about 3' long. The wire from the switch to the remote was 4' to 6' long. For a little more info, the remote is just a button that toggles between the 2 computers with no feedback as to what computer was connected or is now connected. This information is on the switch itself (2 lights). This arrangement seems a little odd to me because the most likely reason (and mine) to want a remote is to put the actural switch (and all the cables) out of sight.. This is a small gripe because I am happy enough with the product.
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- Richard R on May 12, 2020
- Purchased on Apr 28, 2020
BEST ANSWER: I have already installed them, but as I recall the 2 cables that connect the switch to the computers are about 3' long. The wire from the switch to the remote was 4' to 6' long. For a little more info, the remote is just a button that toggles between the 2 computers with no feedback as to what computer was connected or is now connected. This information is on the switch itself (2 lights). This arrangement seems a little odd to me because the most likely reason (and mine) to want a remote is to put the actural switch (and all the cables) out of sight.. This is a small gripe because I am happy enough with the product.
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- Richard R on May 12, 2020
- Purchased on Apr 28, 2020
Just rec'd mine; it works great. No noticeable lag when switching. Each of the cables are approx 3 ft in length. A USB extension cable works easily if you have longer lengths to span.
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- Ron on May 11, 2020
- Purchased on Apr 28, 2020
The USB to PC cables are 4 feet each and the USB input switching cable is 6 feet.
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- Eric W on May 12, 2020
- Purchased on Mar 24, 2020
The 4 x 4 appears to be 3' long, with the button to switch between at 6' long
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- Aaron D on May 11, 2020
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Will this work for ps4 too?
A shopper
on Apr 10, 2020
BEST ANSWER: I don't have a PS4, but I would think this will work with any device that has standard USB ports. It takes its power from the connected device unless you use a power supply (not included). it works with a laptop and desktop computer for me for both USB 3 and USB 2.
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- Steve F on Apr 10, 2020
- Purchased on Mar 19, 2020
BEST ANSWER: I don't have a PS4, but I would think this will work with any device that has standard USB ports. It takes its power from the connected device unless you use a power supply (not included). it works with a laptop and desktop computer for me for both USB 3 and USB 2.
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- Steve F on Apr 10, 2020
- Purchased on Mar 19, 2020
If you are trying to share a monitor with a PS4 and PC, then yes it should work.
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- MARCUS A. on Apr 11, 2020
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Does this come with the cables shown in the images or not?
A shopper
on Mar 31, 2020
BEST ANSWER: Thank you for your question.
Yes, you can find what is included in the packing list contained in the manual: https://downloads.monoprice.com/files/manuals/38298_Manual_190401.pdf
Yes, you can find what is included in the packing list contained in the manual: https://downloads.monoprice.com/files/manuals/38298_Manual_190401.pdf
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- Tyler C Staff on Apr 1, 2020
BEST ANSWER: Thank you for your question.
Yes, you can find what is included in the packing list contained in the manual: https://downloads.monoprice.com/files/manuals/38298_Manual_190401.pdf
Yes, you can find what is included in the packing list contained in the manual: https://downloads.monoprice.com/files/manuals/38298_Manual_190401.pdf
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- Tyler C Staff on Apr 1, 2020
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Anyone else having difficulty with one computer not recognizing it after switching? I am using it with a Win 10 laptop & a Macbook. Sometimes at least half the time) when I switch from the Mac back to Windows laptop it doesn't see it as plugged in so I have to unplug/replug it in.
A shopper
on Jul 31, 2023
BEST ANSWER: Is this happening when the Windows laptop is sleeping? In my experience, switching away from Windows during sleep and then back, my keyboard/mouse do not wake the computer. If I never switch while the Windows computer is sleeping, then it works fine.
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- YU H on Aug 4, 2023
- Purchased on Apr 6, 2023
BEST ANSWER: Is this happening when the Windows laptop is sleeping? In my experience, switching away from Windows during sleep and then back, my keyboard/mouse do not wake the computer. If I never switch while the Windows computer is sleeping, then it works fine.
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- YU H on Aug 4, 2023
- Purchased on Apr 6, 2023
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Has anyone used this with a Kinesis Freestyle Edge RGB keyboard? I had a KVM that the keyboard wouldn't work with on the keyboard USB ports. I had to use the shared USB Hub ports on it, so that ended up not working out for me.
Charles S
on Nov 29, 2023
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4.5 / 5.0
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Rated 5 out of 5
Great product.
Actually works as advertised letting multiple high bandwidth devices be shared between one of two outputs
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Rated 3 out of 5
Not bad but could be better.
The device does not work when utilized through a docking station. Requiring an additional plugin to a laptop or docked device
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Rated 5 out of 5
Works great, good performance
Works great, good performance
Added Feb 4, 2021
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Rated 4 out of 5
Works perfect once adding power adapter.
Ever since coronavirus struck, I've had to use my home office setup for both work and personal use. Now, instead of unplugging and replugging in all my devices, I just push the button and it switches between the two computers. I have a webcam, mouse, keyboard, and wireless headset transmitter connected to the 4 ports. Only note is, I did add the optional power adapter as it seems to power off the current port it's switched to (or something of that like) and my work laptop was having some issues staying connected to my mouse. Was resolved when I added the optional micro usb power. (cable and power supply not included).
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