I'm starting a new job in a few days where I can work fully remote so I will have my old personal laptop and a new work laptop. I'm technically blind so I currently have to plug the personal laptop into a large monitor and use an external USB keyboard and mouse for easier readability/use. Since I stare at the monitor instead of the laptop I use a separate webcam and USB headset for videocalls instead of the laptop built in camera and I also have to use a USB wifi extender as my reception is rubbish. I would also like to do this with the work laptop, but ideally don't want to keep moving cables so I could use both machines easily.
I use a single old Dell monitor which does have both HDMI and DVI ports so I could plug in both laptops and change channels when needed. The monitor also has 4 x USB A and 1 x USB B, but I don't know if I plug in the keyboard, mouse, webcam, headset, or wifi extender into the monitor will they automatically become available to the relevant laptop as I change channels. Is a better solution to get a KVM or USB switch? I started looking for KVMs, but the specs started getting confusing, hence the call for advice here. Some KVM devices suggested that the display resolution needed to be the same on both laptops while other made no mention of this. Some suggested that the image quality was not great. Some suggested that the transmission of keystrokes and clicks wasn't great - I'm not worried about gaming anyway.
What would be your setup suggestion or device recommendation? If I have to buy new kit then I'd like to do it before I start work. I'm not sure if all the cables will come with any new device or if I have to buy the separately. Thanks in advance for any help.
I use a single old Dell monitor which does have both HDMI and DVI ports so I could plug in both laptops and change channels when needed. The monitor also has 4 x USB A and 1 x USB B, but I don't know if I plug in the keyboard, mouse, webcam, headset, or wifi extender into the monitor will they automatically become available to the relevant laptop as I change channels. Is a better solution to get a KVM or USB switch? I started looking for KVMs, but the specs started getting confusing, hence the call for advice here. Some KVM devices suggested that the display resolution needed to be the same on both laptops while other made no mention of this. Some suggested that the image quality was not great. Some suggested that the transmission of keystrokes and clicks wasn't great - I'm not worried about gaming anyway.
What would be your setup suggestion or device recommendation? If I have to buy new kit then I'd like to do it before I start work. I'm not sure if all the cables will come with any new device or if I have to buy the separately. Thanks in advance for any help.