Actually here's a good question for Linux people: is there a good way to connect one Linux PC to another (either via USB or over the local network) to use Computer A's keyboard on Computer B?
I'd need i383 support for this to work in my particular situation however so just keep that in mind
If it matters both are currently running arch, btw
Had a few suggestions for X forwarding through SSH, going to put this here rather than reply to everyone individually: unfortunately there are two problems making that not an option for me.
1) I don't have the weird proprietary vga dongle for the Vaio P so I can't hook it to a monitor, limiting me to a tiny screen instead of my nice three monitor setup for my main PC
2) more importantly, the Vaio P is just frankly an *absurdly* weak computer. It was weak 15 years ago it's weaker now. It's fine for terminal stuff and lightweight apps running Linux but even through ssh -X it can't cope with looking at a web browser. If it was stronger I'd just use it as is but for my day to day stuff I really just need a way to borrow its keyboard
(I haven't had a chance to try out the suggestions here thus far btw but thanks for the replies people)
This goes for VNC based solutions too btw unless it's something where I can forward control without loading up a remote display, the Vaio P will burst into flames and kill me if I try that
Btw I know this is a very "my ask has a ton of limitations that make this complicated and there may not even be a good answer" sort of thing, but, well, if it wasn't I wouldn't need to ask lmao
If I was just fucking around I wouldn't even be trying this but if I could make this work it would be EXTREMELY helpful given my hand injury
Like I am not trying to do this a specific way to be cute about technology it's a very concrete "if I can get this to work in this specific way it will make a big difference in my day to day computer use while I cope with this injury" thing, I feel bad when I have to shoot down people's ideas because in most normal scenarios they'd work just fine but in my current situation I can't really compromise on how I need this to work. For it to benefit me I have to have it work in this specific way with this specific hardware even if that makes finding a solution way less fun.
I probably didn't even need to add all of this I just worry I come off as difficult when I reply to a bunch of people with "no that won't work", but I want to just make it clear that it's because this situation is what's difficult and I can't get around it easily lol. This is the only device I have with a keyboard that would make things easier for me and unfortunately it's a device that makes this whole thing harder with its limitations. The Vaio P is more of a fun oddity or decent terminal only machine in 2025, but if I could use its keyboard on a PC that isn't 15 years old and sucked ass 15 years ago too, it would be super helpful for me right now.