- Allows two computers access to a single USB device
- USB device stays available to all connected computers, eliminating the need to unplug and reconnect to another computer
- Supports Windows 98/ME/2000/XP & Mac OS
Product Description
PHILIPS USB 2.0 Auto Sharing Switch, Allows 2 Computers to Share one USB Device.
Emmly @ 11:40 pm
I got this because I need to share one printer to two desktops. While it works great, it doesn’t switch automatically. I still have to push the button or I have to push the USB sharing button on my screen to switch and print from a specific computer. It’s a good little gizmo, but it doesn’t do what it says, switch automatically. Also, it comes with a small (3″) disk not a full size.
Ernest Burdick @ 2:03 am
I and my wife wanted to share our HP LaserJet printer but, we were tired of unplugging it from one computer to the other. This little switch makes it now possible to share without unplugging and plugging the USB cable to the printer any more.
You install the software on each computer and then plug each computer into the switch along with the printer USB cable.
The only problem is that the switch only comes with one USB cable, a type-A to type-B USB printer cable. This is a standard USB printer cable so I had an extra for it. So connecting the two computers to the switch is easy. Connecting from the switch to the printer requires the purchase of another USB printer cable. I feel that it should include 2 USB cables, not just 1, so be aware, you will need to have a 3rd cable.
The software and documentation claims that you can switch computers via keyboard shortcut keystrokes. I found that this did NOT work. The switch has two indicator/buttons to indicate which computer has connection to the printer. Pressing the buttons to make the switch is the only way we have gotten this to work and that’s okay with me.
Verbkilr @ 2:44 am
It’s like an A-B switch only automatic. Easy to install/hookup. A very useful product in an office setting where you share printers between two computers!
Adam Patrick Mahardy @ 5:23 am
This device does not work. It switches manually not automatically and does not allow me to print. Every time I try to print it says error. I’ve worked with/on computers for over 4 years now and this is a bad buy. I then tried to contact Philips TECH support and they said this model was discontinued. I wonder why? In short guys pay the extra 15 dollars for a better one.
-Adam
R. Hanson @ 7:42 am
For me it works, but is not really auto sharing. You can press the buttons on the top for the “A” side or “B” side. For my printer/scanner, I hooked it up and it works fine, although on my Win 7 PC, the amount of ink doesn’t show up any more (may be a different problem)