| Compact, works as described and is Linux compatible |
This KVM switches your USB keyboard, USB mouse and audio with just three keystrokes. Plus it is agnostic to any operating system. A simple tech tool that works. |
5 Rating
|
| Finally, a KVM that works well and looks good |
I've owned three KVMs over the years - an ancient metallic desktop-sitting 4-port, a space-saving Linksys 2-port Y-cable, and a manually-switched 2-port box way back in the day (with an actual knob!). This KVM is vastly superior to all of them.
Pros:
* All attached devices work flawlessly
* Special keys on keyboard function (e.g., Windows Media Player controls)
* No problems switching between Ubuntu Linux, Windows XP, Windows Vista
* No sign of flicker or VGA degradation, on a Sony LCD monitor 1280x1024 @ 60Hz
* Can switch sound independently of (or at the same time as) keyboard, video, mouse.
* No interference on sound channel from the device itself (yayyy!)
* No software AT ALL
* Hotkeys reconfigurable through clever "first press ScrollLock ScrollLock, then press new key" idea
* Entirely powered by the USB port
* Wake-on-keyboard functions work, because the device is powered by the USB connection itself. This is also a con (see below)...
* Looks great - simple mac-ish look with two simple LEDs and smooth white surface.
* Can plug headphones right into the switch!
* Shipped cables are nicely bundled (one cord for all three connectors, split at the end) and of sufficient length.
* Shipped cables appear to be of high quality.
Cons:
* No actual button that can be pressed to switch devices meaning...
* Wake-on-keyboard functions work (a little too well!): if computer #1 is off, but has wake-on-keyboard, you'll wake it up by hitting ScrollLock-ScrollLock just trying to switch to computer #2.
* No DVI input/output, so you'll need a DVI-to-VGA adapter if you plan to use with a monitor OR video card that is DVI-only (fortunately these are cheap)
In summary, at $80.00 this is a mid-to-high range KVM that is well worth its cost. Many KVMs have shoddy connectors or interference problems, or do not maintain their electrical connections well - especially when they have no external power. This switch does all of these things and does them well, while looking good. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I have enjoyed this switch. If they would just add a button to the device itself to switch inputs and produce a DVI version (as an alternative to VGA), this would be the perfect product.
Bottom line: Well worth the $80.00, so long as you don't *need* DVI. |
4 Rating
|
| Works great |
I now have the following hooked to it:
2 WinXP clients
1 Win2003 Server
1 Debian Linux box
No problems at all. I am not porting the sound through it, but rather have hooked my speakers to one of the XP clients, so I can't say how that works.
You hit "scroll lock" twice then either "" to get the machine or a number for the machine you want to go to directly. |
5 Rating
|
| Didn't work with Powermac G4 Quicksilver |
Not much to say, didn't work very well, worked for a bit, then didn't, then the mouse got weird etc. I replaced it with the iogear 2 port manual KVM, (button on top) which I picked up for $23! It's worked perfectly for months. Nuff said! |
1 Rating
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