I have a request for connecting multiple Bluetooth adapters into one computer and question if I need to use them all and if there will be a clash on the frequency
I prefer using wired connections for everything I do but have been asked if there is a possibility to use multiple and I did not know the answer …
Imagine a laptop with mint (not important which but it happens to be LMDE 6 the latest), its a new box but only has 2 usb ports. (Cost cutting Chinese brand)
They want to connect external keyboard, mouse, headphones, and microphone all by by bluetooth.
Yes the laptop has bluetooth adapter built in.
They find built in keyboard and trackpad not usable dues to handicap of user.
Do I need to plug in a bluetooth adaptor for each device, so is it one for keyboard, one for mouse etc or can they all connect to the one bluetooth built in ?
If I need 4 usb adaptors, then they want usb memory stick… i am faced with a 4 way splitter adapters
Yes I get asked strange questions…so wanted to share my difficulty
My mini computer has two types of USB ports. One (which is USB 2.0 I think) can handle only four connections to an attached hub. The other (USB 3.something) is supposed to handle 16 connections though I’ve only needed six at a time.
Bluetooth uses frequency hopping spread-spectrum technology of 1600 hops per second in a pseudo-random sequence among 79 channels. There shouldn’t be interference caused by several BT connections physically near each other. I’ve had two BT devices operating near each other with no interference but have never tried four at once.
Not sure if the adapters or devices are at legel 5 so guess will have to try each one in turn and see how it works. Better than my first response which was going to be NO.
Think it will take some time and effort on my part to fully understand the needs and progress towards a solution. Its easy with able bodied but handicaps effect each person differently and there may be factors I dont fully appreciate.
You are right. My wife loves her Android tablet because it is light and self contained. A desktop is out because she cant sit for long periods at a desk, and a laptop is about double the weight and not as ergonomic.
Just adding my 2 bob’s worth - I used to use a USB BT dongle (BT 4? - from Targus) - but it was flaky… always dropping out - audio was pretty awful too…
About 3 years ago I installed a PCIe WiFi and BT adapter (Intel chipset) and haven’t looked back - rock solid and reliable… Mostly just a BT mouse connected - but sometimes headphones…
I wouldn’t choose to use a USB BT dongle these days… All my laptops have on-board BT… As an aside, this ThinkPad E495 I’m typing on - had a horrible Realtek or Broadcom WiFi and BT chip - WiFi was nearly unusable on Linux (mostly Pop!_OS). Replaced with another Intel Chipset laptop mini PCIe card and haven’t looked back… Never tried to use multiple BT in the same computer at the same time… Sorry…