I think what i really need is some sort of kvm switch so that i can hook this up to one side and my desktop to the other

I do use it for my personal laptop though and it sure beats fumbling around with all of the connections every time i want to use an external monitor andor peripherals

It allows me to connect nonusbc devices to it my external hard drive usb fan charge my phone even connect to a separate larger monitor to watch a movie or work in photoshop