I am look for a KVM switch with the following characteristics:
2-port
Dual DVI displays
USB mouse (I realize that I could use a USB to PS/2 connector but would prefer native USB)
USB keyboard
Audio switching (both speaker and mic)
Extra integrated 2 port switching USB hub
Under $300
I do NOT need dual link (1600 X 1200 is more than enough for me).
Most of the kvm switches out there seem to be designed for computers circa 1999-2000. Surely I cannot be the only person in the known universe that has purchased 2 computers after 2002 and needs a up-to-date switch? I am not trying to sound snobby cause at this point neither of my machines is anywhere close to state-of-the-art, but I swear that I saw some of the switches that I have recently researched in that moive "Wargames" from the 80s. Do they even make mice with PS/2 connections any more? 🙂
Do you know of a KVM switch that meets my needs (described above)? If not, what types of software do you typically run and what KVM switch are you using? And what has been your experience? I am definitely interested in reliability/performance data. Can you point me to a site with a comparative review of new KVM switches. Other than a single model "first look" type article, it looks like Tom's has not done a big review in about 2 years and it is even longer for AnandTech.
The StarTech SV231UADVI is close but only supports one display.
The StarTech SV221DVIDD has dual display but lacks most the rest.
The NTI KEEMUX-P2V-2 looks like a rebadged but more expensive (?) StarTech SV221DD (which also will not work).
The Cables to Go C184-32562 also looks like a rebadged (but less expensive) SV221DD.
The Aten CS1762 is also close but also only supports one DVI display.
The Aten CS1742 is also close but has VGA rather than DVI display (and I am not sure if it really switches audio).
Belkin does not have anything that fits the bill and I have read nothing but bad reviews of their switches.
The IOGear GCS1762, like the SV321UADVI and CS1762 is very close but lacks the dual display support.
Adder does not have anything close in the price range.
The Avocent 2SVDVI10-001 is another possibility but again only supports one display.
The TrendNet TK-204K, a very low cost alternative, is missing several needed parts.
The Gefen EXT-DVI-422 is probably the closest match that I have found but it is grossly overpriced.
Running Windows XP on both machines (although one of them is actually configured to also run Linux). Monitors are Dell 2005FP and Dell 1905FP. Using an nVidia card in one and an ATI in the other. Keyboards are Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite and an old plain IBM keyboard (not sure if it has a name or model number but this is the one that I will dump anyway unless the Natural will not work). Mice are Logitech and a generic cheapie model. Speakers are generic 5.1. Not sure what brand the mic is. Don't think that it matters but one rig has an ASUS mainboard and the other is DFI LanParty.
Might also consider a 4-port (if it is not too much more expensive and meets the requirements above) to get my Thinkpad T42 into the mix.
2-port
Dual DVI displays
USB mouse (I realize that I could use a USB to PS/2 connector but would prefer native USB)
USB keyboard
Audio switching (both speaker and mic)
Extra integrated 2 port switching USB hub
Under $300
I do NOT need dual link (1600 X 1200 is more than enough for me).
Most of the kvm switches out there seem to be designed for computers circa 1999-2000. Surely I cannot be the only person in the known universe that has purchased 2 computers after 2002 and needs a up-to-date switch? I am not trying to sound snobby cause at this point neither of my machines is anywhere close to state-of-the-art, but I swear that I saw some of the switches that I have recently researched in that moive "Wargames" from the 80s. Do they even make mice with PS/2 connections any more? 🙂
Do you know of a KVM switch that meets my needs (described above)? If not, what types of software do you typically run and what KVM switch are you using? And what has been your experience? I am definitely interested in reliability/performance data. Can you point me to a site with a comparative review of new KVM switches. Other than a single model "first look" type article, it looks like Tom's has not done a big review in about 2 years and it is even longer for AnandTech.
The StarTech SV231UADVI is close but only supports one display.
The StarTech SV221DVIDD has dual display but lacks most the rest.
The NTI KEEMUX-P2V-2 looks like a rebadged but more expensive (?) StarTech SV221DD (which also will not work).
The Cables to Go C184-32562 also looks like a rebadged (but less expensive) SV221DD.
The Aten CS1762 is also close but also only supports one DVI display.
The Aten CS1742 is also close but has VGA rather than DVI display (and I am not sure if it really switches audio).
Belkin does not have anything that fits the bill and I have read nothing but bad reviews of their switches.
The IOGear GCS1762, like the SV321UADVI and CS1762 is very close but lacks the dual display support.
Adder does not have anything close in the price range.
The Avocent 2SVDVI10-001 is another possibility but again only supports one display.
The TrendNet TK-204K, a very low cost alternative, is missing several needed parts.
The Gefen EXT-DVI-422 is probably the closest match that I have found but it is grossly overpriced.
Running Windows XP on both machines (although one of them is actually configured to also run Linux). Monitors are Dell 2005FP and Dell 1905FP. Using an nVidia card in one and an ATI in the other. Keyboards are Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite and an old plain IBM keyboard (not sure if it has a name or model number but this is the one that I will dump anyway unless the Natural will not work). Mice are Logitech and a generic cheapie model. Speakers are generic 5.1. Not sure what brand the mic is. Don't think that it matters but one rig has an ASUS mainboard and the other is DFI LanParty.
Might also consider a 4-port (if it is not too much more expensive and meets the requirements above) to get my Thinkpad T42 into the mix.
