Laptop to desktop setup that is plug and play

[deeve]

As you can see from my other thread I am kinda stuck on the best option for a desktop style setup. I keep going back and forth between an iMac and a separate monitor/keyboard/mouse. I have two laptops. Both M1, one an Air and the other a 13" MBP. I would like to find something that we can just plug in via the Thunderbolt ports on the laptop that automatically will work with a monitor, keyboard, mouse and charge. I would like this system to work with at least two laptops...possibly a third Windows laptop.

I suspect the solution is going to be a type of Thunderbolt dock, but this is new territory to me. I think we may end up putting this system in an unused bedroom, which would open me up to not having to worry about a cluttered desktop in the living area of the house.

Thanks

DAVE

 

[Arctic Moose]

As long as the Windows laptop has a Thunderbolt port, this is the way to go.

I have done pretty much exactly what you’re describing with a Plugable TBT3-UDC1 and a Caldigit TS3+, which have slightly different port configurations, especially as far as displays are concerned.

Shopping today, I would choose either the Caldigit TS4 or the Element Hub.

Thunderbolt 4 Dock | TS4 | CalDigit – CalDigit

www.caldigit.com

Thunderbolt 4 | USB4 | Element Hub | CalDigit – CalDigit

www.caldigit.com

 

[motty2307]

I really enjoy the Anker items.

https://www.anker.com/collections/docking-stations?ref=naviMenu

 

[deeve]

I really enjoy the Anker items.

https://www.anker.com/collections/docking-stations?ref=naviMenu

As long as the Windows laptop has a Thunderbolt port, this is the way to go.

I have done pretty much exactly what you’re describing with a Plugable TBT3-UDC1 and a Caldigit TS3+, which have slightly different port configurations, especially as far as displays are concerned.

Shopping today, I would choose either the Caldigit TS4 or the Element Hub.

Thunderbolt 4 Dock | TS4 | CalDigit – CalDigit

www.caldigit.com

Thunderbolt 4 | USB4 | Element Hub | CalDigit – CalDigit

www.caldigit.com

Thank you....now to get crazy...is there a way to incorporate my gaming PC into the mix? I would only use one at a time, but it would be nice to have a single monitor, keyboard and mouse that could connect everything. Maybe Im asking too much?

 

[Arctic Moose]

Thank you....now to get crazy...is there a way to incorporate my gaming PC into the mix? I would only use one at a time, but it would be nice to have a single monitor, keyboard and mouse that could connect everything. Maybe Im asking too much?

Absolutely not asking too much, this is fully reasonable!

There are two potential gotchas:

1. There are as far as I know currently no Thunderbolt 4 input switchers available. This means that you will have to physically switch the Thunderbolt cable into the hub/dock for the computer you currently want to use.
2. Depending on the monitor/monitors you want to use this could potentially require its own Thunderbolt controller. Anything 4K or less will be absolutely fine, and I have successfully run 5K through a dock, although I have chosen to connect the monitor to its own port for other reasons.