Is there a mouse that can control more than one PC?
October 11, 2010 9:28 AM Subscribe
What I want is a wireless mouse which has two or more receivers that plug into my computers and a button or switch somewhere on the mouse that lets me switch between each receiver. Does this exist?
Google has taught me all I need to know about Synergy, VNC and the various ways I can do this with software, and I already know about hardware KVM switches. I don't want a KVM switch and I don't want to install any software.
Google has taught me all I need to know about Synergy, VNC and the various ways I can do this with software, and I already know about hardware KVM switches. I don't want a KVM switch and I don't want to install any software.
I'm assuming the computers are in different locations so a KVM won't work. I think Ten98 is hoping to carry the mouse from location to location, and have it Just Work⢠upon arrival.
You might look into a bluetooth mouse. If the two computers have Bluetooth built in, you won't need any receivers at all; if not, there are super-cheap USB dongles that will do the job unobtrusively. Since bluetooth is an open standard, a lot of the issues surrounding proprietary comm prototols should be eliminated. Your OS should have simple controls built-in for pairing and unpairing bluetooth devices as needed.
posted by The Winsome Parker Lewis at 9:53 AM on October 11, 2010
You might look into a bluetooth mouse. If the two computers have Bluetooth built in, you won't need any receivers at all; if not, there are super-cheap USB dongles that will do the job unobtrusively. Since bluetooth is an open standard, a lot of the issues surrounding proprietary comm prototols should be eliminated. Your OS should have simple controls built-in for pairing and unpairing bluetooth devices as needed.
posted by The Winsome Parker Lewis at 9:53 AM on October 11, 2010
Response by poster: My computers are both in the same place, in my living room. I have a laptop on the coffee table and a media PC attached to the TV. I can get by without using a keyboard on the TV PC and use the keyboard on my laptop for typing. Trackpads are ok in an emergency but I generally have a mouse plugged in to the laptop.
I have a remote control for the TV PC but there are occasions when I need to use the mouse. Currently I accomplish this by unplugging the wireless dongle from my laptop and plugging it into the TV PC. This is a pain (it's behind glass in a media unit, several metres away).
I don't want a KVM switch as this would involve trailing cables all over my living room and somewhat defeat the purpose of a wireless mouse. I just want two little USB dongles, one in each PC.
I hadn't thought of trying a Bluetooth mouse, I guess how good a solution that is depends if you need to press something on the computer to get it to pair up, or if it just pairs up automatically, and how it behaves when there are two Bluetooth receivers nearby...
posted by Ten98 at 10:44 AM on October 11, 2010
I have a remote control for the TV PC but there are occasions when I need to use the mouse. Currently I accomplish this by unplugging the wireless dongle from my laptop and plugging it into the TV PC. This is a pain (it's behind glass in a media unit, several metres away).
I don't want a KVM switch as this would involve trailing cables all over my living room and somewhat defeat the purpose of a wireless mouse. I just want two little USB dongles, one in each PC.
I hadn't thought of trying a Bluetooth mouse, I guess how good a solution that is depends if you need to press something on the computer to get it to pair up, or if it just pairs up automatically, and how it behaves when there are two Bluetooth receivers nearby...
posted by Ten98 at 10:44 AM on October 11, 2010
Have you considered just getting a second mouse for dedicated TV use? A small one designed for carrying around with a laptop seems like it would be an easy addition to your end/coffee table.
posted by Gainesvillain at 2:44 PM on October 11, 2010
posted by Gainesvillain at 2:44 PM on October 11, 2010
unfortunately a bluetooth mouse will generally only by synchronized with one device at a time, syncing to another will knock the first off and so-on.
Pay the $30 for a secondary wireless mouse, your time is too valuable to agonize over a complicated, error-prone technical solution.
posted by jkaczor at 7:27 PM on October 11, 2010
Pay the $30 for a secondary wireless mouse, your time is too valuable to agonize over a complicated, error-prone technical solution.
posted by jkaczor at 7:27 PM on October 11, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by mkultra at 9:46 AM on October 11, 2010