Question 1

Why are there two pc inputs for display and power? the point of usb-c is to carry all of that over one cable, right?

Accepted Answer

There are 2 power inputs that you have to supply the power to.  If you supply it, that travels through the switch to the computers.  If not, you connect them directly to their alternate power supplies.  That said, there are two of them, on for each device.  When you connect the devices into the switch, everything else goes through the KVM.  Including any devices you connect to the KVM on USB, such as webcams, keyboard, thumb drives, etc.  I do have strange issues when connecting and disconnecting my laptops.  Some times it stops charging the other one and then I have to plug it in again.  Outside of that, this KVM works very well.

Question 2

I have two computers that i alternate plugging into one monitor with a usb-c cable.  will this work, or does my monitor need to support hdmi?

Accepted Answer

I use this as a switch between 2 computers to a dell triple-monitor docking station to switch 3 monitors between a work computer and home PC and it works nicely. I connected the docking station to this kvm switch through the keyboard/mouse USB connection and it works well so far(only been about 2 weeks). I can tuck it all nicely away and just have the toggle switch within reach. The toggle is magnetic and come with a metal pad you can put anywhere with an adhesive backside. I have no complaints so far.

Question 3

I hope to use this as an "imaging station" for laptops & desktops. I understand that this will not power desktops, but will it pass/switch usb&video?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Just remember it's a "hard switch". Meaning when you switch to PC2, as far as PC1 is concerned you just unplugged your keyboard, mouse and monitor. Windows tends to lose track of it's open windows when you do this and you have to put them all back when switching back. So if you are looking for a solution where you can quickly switch back and forth you might need to go the route of a more expensive traditional KVM that emulates the K/M and video to the host computer(s).

Question 4

Does this device support edid? or in other words, will switching between computers be equivalent to disconnecting the monitor?

Accepted Answer

it is equivalent to disconnecting the monitors, because the computer "not selected" will not recognize the monitors (like in display settings), however, when you switch back, it does detect/maintain and resolution/ display settings you had, like orientation or resolution. I have this for  switching a triple-monitor docking station between a work and personal computer.

SABRENT KVM Switch, peripheral sharing with 2 port USB C inputs, 2 ports USB-C outputs, 60W (PD 3.0) | 2 USB ports | dual 4K@60Hz HDMI ports, thunderbolt compatible, Control two PCs with one monitor

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