Mac mini M1 and laptop to usb-C hub

[Macca1975]

I currently have two Dell 27 inch monitors connected to Mac mini M1 2020; one with HDMI and the other with USB-C

I now have a new work laptop and looking to get this connected to my two displays and so that I can switch between the laptop and the Mac mini.

I think I need a usb-C hub that would connect to the laptop, then I could connect the displays to the hub (HDMI and USB-C), but wondering what cable I would need to connect the hub to the Mac mini and would the Mac mini still work with 2 displays? How would I switch between the two, would this be from the display preferences on the monitors?

finally, I have a Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse and is there a way of getting them to work across both the laptop and the Mac mini?

thanks in advance.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Mac mini M1 can only work with 2 displays if one is plugged directly into its HDMI port - so a "hub" or docking station isn't going to do what you want, unless you get one with DisplayLink HDMI which has its own foibles.

I have a similar situation; HDMI display and Thunderbolt 3 display (LG 5K) that I use with both M1 mini and M1 Max MBP. What I did, was get a short ~2' HDMI extension and Thunderbolt 3 extension cable and plugged those into the mini (which happens to be mounted under the desk) and put the junctions near where I put the MBP when it's in use. So if the MBP is to be used, I unplug the cables from the extensions and directly into the MBP (the LG powers the MBP so no need for MagSafe).

If I'm going to use the mini, I unplug the cables from the MBP and plug them into the extensions (i.e. into the mini) and then put the MBP over to the side, where I have a MagSafe cable for it.

For the Magic Keyboard, the cable is plugged into the LG so it just "Switches" automatically to whichever is plugged in. I have two Magic Mice so I just leave one paired to each & physically turn off/on the appropriate one. But if a battery dies I can unplug the Magic Keyboard & plug into the opposite mouse to pair it up in a matter of seconds, then plug in the other one to charge.