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USB KVMs Compared

Posted by timothy on from the when-cpus-outnumber-screens dept.

EconolineCrush writes "KVM switches have always been a great way to control multiple machines, and now they're coming with all sorts of cool USB peripheral sharing and audio switching functionality. The Tech Report has a compared a couple of the newest KVM switches from Belkin and IOGear that're worth a look if VNC just doesn't do it for you."

2 of 198 comments (clear)

  1. Re:PS/2 ports... WHY?? by taiwanjohn · · Score: 3, Interesting
    I've had noxious troubles with PS/2 KVMs as well. Tried two different ones (about US$150/ea) and they both did exactly what you describe. Dropping the mouse, sending random key-events to machines... lockups... just plain DANGEROUS. I switched back to an old mechanical one, which also drops the mouse, but at least doesn't crash my systems. (I also use VNC for most work, and only use the KVM when absolutely necessary... which ain't very often.)

    My question is: WHY did everyone switch to PS/2 in the first place? The old RS-232(?) ports could be hot-swapped at will. What POSSIBLE benefit could there be in switching to a protocol that requires a reboot to "re-capture" the input device if the connection is lost?

    I've been wondering about this for years, and never heard a satisfactory answer. Anyone know?

    --jrd

    --
    XML is like violence. If it doesn't solve your problem, you're not using enough of it. --AC
  2. Iogear Miniview (2-port) rocks by ldom · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I use the Iogear Miniview (2-port, CS-102U) everyday to switch between my Mac and my PC (W2000 and RH7.2). It works great, didn't cost much compared to the 4-port versions and comes with good cables. The user manual could be written by Dilbert as there's only one button to press.

    I can't see a difference in the video quality (but I can't remember how it was before either...).

    Anyway, a great buy for SOHO. And I'm not working for them...