I don't normally have two computers, but recently, when I was trying to get my new PC to work (I have since succeeded), I would alternate between tinkering with it, and going back to my old computer to do my business once I temporarily ran out of patience. Since I have only one set of the usual peripherals, I had to switch them from one computer to the other, plugging and unplugging them.
Is there a switching device that I could plug the peripherals (I might be thinking only of the keyboard and mouse) into to share them between the computers? Does such a thing exist?


Also, I just considered having separate Linux and Windows computers rather than running a dual-boot system. I'm a cheapskate, so it would be nice if I didn't have to get a separate keyboard or mouse for a second computer. (Besides, getting more peripherals would force me to also get a second desk.)

Yes, it is called a KVM switch. Mine is able to share a screen, a keyboard, a mouse, sound and microphone between two computers. There are also more expensive versions that support even more computers.

Of course, as a self-admitted cheapskate, you could try synergy instead. Synergy is a software only solution that I found really great - until I discovered that it seems to clash with NFS transfers from one machine to another. Still, if you don't need NFS, it would be a very cheap solution indeed.

Thank you, Jay. Now I know what to buy (or download) if I pursue my idea above.