Abstract: An apparatus having a plurality of computers for the selective data transfer from the computers to, at least, one shared output device, or for file transfer between the computers, is provided. Each computer has a parallel interface which is connected, by way of a first printer cable, to the parallel inlets of a connecting element. The connecting element includes one or more outputs which are connected by way of a second set of parallel printer cables to the inputs of one or more output devices, such as printers. The file transfer occurs over the first parallel printer cable, or cables, and the connecting element after generating the required signal connections. The apparatus permits a selective data transfer to one or more output devices and file transfer between computers over the same parallel computer interfaces and over the same physical cables.