Question Can I connect a desktop and laptop to Dell Docking Station D6000?

[DouggieBuggyBoo]

I have a D6000, which I've used successfully with my work laptop for years. I can successfully unplug the dock from my laptop and plug it into the desktop to use the same peripherals. Now I'm trying to determine if I can connect it to my gaming computer at the same time without unplugging anything.

I'd like to use the following across the systems by plugging them into the dock:
- Ethernet cable
- USB mouse
- USB keyboard
- USB webcam
- USB headset

My Dell S3422DWG ultrawide curved gaming monitor is already successfully connected to the laptop through the dock, and the desktop directly. I'm not worried about changing this setup for now.

My goal is to have a setup where I can use the same USB devices for both setups without manually unplugging anything as I have been. Can anyone confirm if I can just connect the PC to another port in the dock to have it also work? (I would have already tried it, but don't have a spare USB cord. I don't want to buy one if it's a harebrained idea that'll never work.)

 

[Lutfij]

What you're looking for is a KVM switch. Can you pass on the specs to your desktop(as in the motherboard, monitors and discrete GPU) as well as the make, model and SKU for your laptop so we have an understanding of what you have to work with and what the KVM switch needs to hook up to.

Include your location, your budget and your preferred site for purchase in case users can show up with suggestions for devices that meets your goal.

 

[DouggieBuggyBoo]

@Lutfij Thanks for the reply!

I also have a tp-link 5-port Gigabit Desktop Switch (TL-SG105), so I'm covered on connecting the ethernet to both devices. At this point it's really only the USB devices that I need to cover. But then I would be using my D6000, the desktop switch, and the KVM switch. Which isn't ideal I suppose, so if it's affordable to cover the ethernet as well through the KVM switch, that would be great.

Desktop:
GPU: ASUS TUF Gaming NVIDIA GeForce RTX™ 4080 Super
Motherboard: GIGABYTE B550 GAMING X - ARGB Header (2), USB 3.2 Ports (4 Type-A), M.2 Slot (2)

Laptop:
Microsoft Surface 4
Model 1951
SKU Surface_Laptop_4_1950:1951 (I think? Pretty hard to find this one)

Location: Indiana, United States
Budget: Not firm, but under $50 preferable
Preferred site: None. I've ordered from ibuypower.com, Amazon, New Egg, and Best Buy

 

[ex_bubblehead]

The very FIRST thing you must do is read the documentation for your dock and make sure that it is compatible with every single computer you intend to connect, by make and model, otherwise you may find nonoperational ports on the dock due to incompatibilities. Just because you can plug it up does not automatically denote functionality. And, you cannot connect a dock to two computers simultaneously, you'll still need the KVM.

 

[DouggieBuggyBoo]

The very FIRST thing you must do is read the documentation for your dock and make sure that it is compatible with every single computer you intend to connect, by make and model, otherwise you may find nonoperational ports on the dock due to incompatibilities. Just because you can plug it up does not automatically denote functionality. And, you cannot connect a dock to two computers simultaneously, you'll still need the KVM.

Thanks! Yes, after posting this I read the documentation and realized the dock wasn't going to do what I'd hoped. At this point I'm aware I need a KVM switch, but I'd love to hear any recommendations or brands to seek out/avoid.