I know this is probably a dream, but...

[Markbnj]

... I need a KVM solution that supports hdmi/dvi, dual monitors, USB 2.0, and audio switching, that doesn't cost a down payment on a new car.

I am in a peculiar place: I am doing almost all my daily dev in Ubuntu, and chafing up against the limitations of the VM, but I game and am not ready to give up Windows for that reason. So I'm thinking of building a new rig, but before I drop a grand I want to figure out how to share the user-end of this thing between boxes. Worst case I could just switch sources on the center monitor, but I'd really like to have dual monitor support for both boxes.

Impossible, right?

 

[Gunslinger08]

Can't you just allocate more resources to the VM? Or if you insist on building another box - just Remote Desktop from your Windows machine to your Ubuntu box. I'm sure there's a Linux RDP server that supports multiple monitors and audio passthrough.

 

[Phoenix86]

If you are going the RD route, remember to do multiple monitors from windows you need the ultimate version.

 

[smackababy]

If you ignore the 'down payment on a car' requirement, you can find what you're looking for. =)

 

[Markbnj]

Can't you just allocate more resources to the VM? Or if you insist on building another box - just Remote Desktop from your Windows machine to your Ubuntu box. I'm sure there's a Linux RDP server that supports multiple monitors and audio passthrough.

It's not really resources. I already gave the VM two cores and 6 GB, and it performs well-enough. But there are always little display issues with Ubuntu and Virtualbox, and the current version doesn't support dual displays in Saucy very well, while the prior version, which does, doesn't handle USB audio pass-through well. It works fine, really, and it's not a huge hassle, but nor is it as flexible and responsive as a dedicated box.

I've gone the RD route with NX, VNC, and Remote Desktop in the past. It's nice to still have a hardware setup to access the system if something goes wrong. What I have done before is to have the second box cabled into the second source on the monitor, and then if VNC crashes or whatever its not a big deal to plug in a keyboard/mouse.

Bottom line is the ultimate solution for me would be to have the dual monitors, keyboard, high-speed mouse, speakers, and microphone switchable between the two systems.

 

[Markbnj]

If you ignore the 'down payment on a car' requirement, you can find what you're looking for. =)

Ha, right, that's the problem.