Monoprice 138298 2x4 USB 3.1 Peripheral Sharing Switch — main product image

Monoprice 138298 2x4 USB 3.1 Peripheral Sharing Switch

Monoprice

Monoprice 138298 2x4 USB 3.1 Peripheral Sharing Switch

Name: Monoprice 138298 2x4 USB 3.1 Peripheral Sharing Switch
Brand: Monoprice
SKU: 138298

★★★★★4.0 (41 reviews)

USB 3.1

Share four USB devices between two computers instantly with USB 3.1 speeds up to 5 Gbps and no drivers required.

$74.95*

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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jun 04, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

The Monoprice 138298 2x4 USB 3.1 Peripheral Sharing Switch is a practical solution for anyone who works with two computers and wants to avoid duplicating peripherals. Whether you have a work laptop and a personal desktop, or need to share a printer and external drive between two workstations, this switch lets you connect up to four USB devices and toggle them between two host machines with the press of a button on the included remote selector. LED indicators on the unit clearly show which computer is currently active, eliminating any guesswork.

Supporting USB 3.1 Gen1 with transfer rates up to 5 Gbps, the switch handles everything from keyboards and mice to external storage drives without bottlenecking performance. It draws power directly from the connected computers, keeping your desk free of extra cables and adapters. With plug-and-play compatibility across Windows, macOS, and Linux, there are no drivers to install — simply connect your devices and start switching. The compact form factor fits neatly into any workspace, making it an efficient and affordable way to streamline a multi-computer setup.

Key Features

Simple port selection using the remote port selector.

Usb 3.1 Gen1 compatible, supporting data transfer Rates of up to 5 gbps.

Leds indicates which computer is Active. Bus-powered, no external power supply needed.

Plug and play, no drivers or external power adapter needed.

Multiplatform support Windows, Mac OS x, and Linux.

Specifications

Brand

Monoprice

Model

138298

USB Standard

USB 3.1 Gen1

Max Data Transfer Rate

5 Gbps

USB Downstream Ports

Computers Supported

Power

Bus-powered (no external adapter)

Switching Method

Remote port selector

Platform Compatibility

Windows, macOS, Linux

Installation

Plug and play, no drivers required

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

Supports four USB 3.1 Gen1 ports, letting you share multiple peripherals without extra hubs.
Bus-powered design eliminates the need for a separate power adapter on your desk.
Plug-and-play operation requires no driver installation on any supported platform.
Remote port selector allows convenient switching without reaching behind your desk.
Cross-platform compatibility works seamlessly across Windows, macOS, and Linux machines.

👎 Cons

Limited to two host computers, so it won't work for setups with three or more machines.
Switching between computers briefly disconnects all shared devices, which may interrupt active file transfers.
No individual port switching means all four USB devices switch together rather than independently.
Lacks USB 3.2 Gen2 or USB4 support, capping transfer speeds at 5 Gbps.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I switch which computer controls the USB devices?

You use the included remote port selector button to toggle control between the two connected computers. LED indicators show which computer is currently active.

Does this switch support USB 2.0 devices as well?

Yes, it is backward compatible with USB 2.0 and USB 1.1 devices, though they will operate at their native speeds rather than USB 3.1 speeds.

Does the switch require its own power supply?

No, the switch is bus-powered through the USB connections to your computers, so no external power adapter is needed.

Can I use this with a Mac and a Windows PC at the same time?

Yes, it supports Windows, macOS, and Linux, so you can connect two computers running different operating systems simultaneously.

Does switching computers disconnect and reconnect the USB devices?

Yes, when you switch ports the connected USB devices will briefly disconnect from one computer and reconnect to the other, similar to physically unplugging and replugging them.