Iogear 4-Port USB Cable KVM Switch

Comments about Iogear 4-Port USB Cable KVM Switch:

Having a multimedia studio requires multi-screen and computing capabilities. A keyboard and other equipment (trackball, tablet, etc.) per computer, made it increasingly impossible to be efficient. I had already installed monitor sharing software for the two MACs and two monitors, but things were dicey when I added a PC to the collection.

The 4-Port USB Cable KVM Switch has proved to solve the problem, with the exception of the initial "get started" directions seemingly different from the other start up directions included within the packaging.

I was able, with some experimentation, to finally arrive at a solution to engaging the three computers, but only two of the three extra monitors.

Comments about Iogear 4-Port USB Cable KVM Switch:

easy to use and at a great price

Comments about Iogear 4-Port USB Cable KVM Switch:

I've had this for about a week and the only downside are that 1) your computer you are not using will think that the USBs are disconnected, not really a big deal, and 2)the device will use up 2 usb ports and you can't use a non-powered hub (I might be wrong about this) to convert the 2 usb cables per computer into one. Otherwise it works and it's cheap. [...]

Comments about Iogear 4-Port USB Cable KVM Switch:

I have two computers in my home office that I use consistently at the same time and was getting tired of two keyboards & two mice. Because of what I'm doing, I don't want to share a monitor so I'm only using the KV part of the KVM. This device is easy to setup and very easy to go between the computers with the remote switch. We bought the 4-port because we wanted expansion capabilities. Right now I actually have 3 computers hooked up because we bought a new desktop and I'm configuring that computer, too. One problem I found was that the switch does not work with my old laptop, a Dell Latitude D620. I am guessing it's a USB issue on the Dell but haven't had time to troubleshoot this problem.

I think overall this is a good product and priced well - I would recommend it.

Comments about Iogear 4-Port USB Cable KVM Switch:

Works great, and as described. I'm using it to connect two XP computers to a single monitor, single keyboard, and single wireless mouse.

Pros:

True "Plug and Play".
Hardware button instead of finicky software button.
Everything included (cables attached and easy to manage).
Cables are rugged and are very manageable.
Completely reliable unlike other KVMs I've used.
Switch cable is lightweight and therefore very manageable.
Very Affordable.

Cons:

Switch cable is extremely lighweight. I'm afraid it may break easily.
Unlike other USB KVMs I've used, it requires two USB connections on computer, one for keyboard, one for mouse. Using a single USB connection does not work.
Computers requiring a keyboard to boot will not boot unless KWM swith is left in that computer's position. Tech specs seem to suggest otherwise.

There are workarounds for the latter two problems.

Comments about Iogear 4-Port USB Cable KVM Switch:

This unit was exactly what I was looking for and does exactly what I wanted it to do. I use 2 or 3 computers back and forth for various projects in my home music studio and this unit allows me to switch between the computers while using only one screen, one mouse and one keyboard, just as the company claims it will.

One thing that I had to find out for myself, though, is that the KVM unit always defaults to the #1 position of the 4 possible computer sends/outputs when starting the first computer. The KVM switch is powered by the USB ports and regardless of which computer is first powered up, the KVM switches to the #1 position. One of my computers does not recognize the monitor at all unless the monitor is hooked up to that computer by the KVM very quickly after it starts booting up. Once I realized why I was having a problem getting that computer to recognize the monitor, I only needed to switch my connections to make sure that that computer was connected in the #1 position on the KVM switch. I had no more trouble after that.

I use this switch every day and just love it. Good price, too!

Comments about Iogear 4-Port USB Cable KVM Switch:

We have a OSX server, a terminal server and a Linux shared storage unit connected to a single keyboard & monitor. If works great with all 3. The remote switch makes for a clean installation onto a sliding shelf with the keyboard & mouse.

Comments about Iogear 4-Port USB Cable KVM Switch:

I have to replace every PC in the company in a refresh project. This KVM is making me look good! I love this thing! Thanks B&H for another great sale, [...] You guys ROCK!

Comments about Iogear 4-Port USB Cable KVM Switch:

My reason for the 4 star rating is due solely to the quality of the product. The wire for the switch seems to be slighty thin so when I first had this set up the switch wouldn't switch. I was able to wiggle the wire slightly and it's worked since but hopefully I don't have to move it soon fear of the connectivity loss.

Comments about Iogear 4-Port USB Cable KVM Switch:

I've used this switch to run two computers with one keyboard and one Wacom tablet. This couldn't be easier to install and works exactly as promised. The remote switch is extremely useful, in that in my setup, the kvm device itself is under the desk, and the remote switch is located on my desktop next to my mouse/tablet. The only improvement I could think of is to have the indicator led's on the remote rather than on the unit. I would highly recommend this item.

Comments about Iogear 4-Port USB Cable KVM Switch:

At first, like any KVM with integrated cables, it might seem like a box of spaghetti....but don't let that fool you!
Once the cables were untangled (probably as much my fault as anyone at the factory!), it hooked up quickly, and the keyboard/mouse were immediately recognized by Windows once plugged into the KVM. The "remote" switch is especially handy for me, as the computers I'm hooking this up to are 5-6 feet away, and I'd have to get up to change the switched location if it weren't for the wired remote.
So long as this lasts longer than the Rosewill unit it replaced, I'll be happy!!

Comments about Iogear 4-Port USB Cable KVM Switch:

I use the KVM to connect my 3 work PC's and my laptop to a single Keyboard/Video/mouse setup. The toggle button is much nicer then using the scroll lock double tap with the 2 port unit. It is lacking a shared audio connection, but that isn't something that is overly needed. (but was on the 2 port version)

Comments about Iogear 4-Port USB Cable KVM Switch:

I purchased this to replace an aging belkin PS/2 KVM in a rack of 4 servers. It fired right up and worked on every one of the Dell servers without even needing a reboot. Not one issue or complaint. I would recommend it to others. For the price, it can't be beat.

Comments about Iogear 4-Port USB Cable KVM Switch:

I use this in my IT office where I have several computers set up at once but don't really have the room for a bunch of keyboards and monitors. This greatly saves on space. It also works very well - I am constantly disconnecting and connecting computers and have had no problems. My only complaint would be that if a port is not being used it skip it. But that's pretty minor stuff.

Comments about Iogear 4-Port USB Cable KVM Switch:

Works great for sharing a USB mouse and keyboard across up to four systems. Molded in cables make installation a snap, in less than five minutes I had mine connected to four systems. Its small size allows it to fit in an inconspicuous area on your desk. With the remote control you can even place the switch on the floor or behind your desk.

My only dislike is that you can only switch the active connection with the remote control -- the device does not support switching via a keyboard sequence. I had assumed that all modern KVM units would have that feature.

Comments about Iogear 4-Port USB Cable KVM Switch:

Easy install. Easy to use. Great price. Would buy again.

Comments about Iogear 4-Port USB Cable KVM Switch:

I used this product to try to connect 2 desktops and a laptop. The product is easy to set up and the remote switch is very nice. This product would work better I think if all of the connected equipment uses a lower res display such as 800x600 or 1024x768. I have widescreen video cards in two of my computers and this device did not handle the different resolutions very well and the display quality was very poor. Not satisfied, but for what it cost it is acceptable I guess. I would order a model with better video capabilities next time around, even if I have to spend more money.

Comments about Iogear 4-Port USB Cable KVM Switch:

I have a number of different operating systems windows, Linux on various computers and I was skeptical about the switch. But I was pleasantly surprised at the ease with which I was able to connect 4 computers. The button to switch between them is small and effective and I am happy that I decided to purchase the 4 port. I have to say if you are thinking about connecting different computers to a single screen, keyboard and mouse this is the answer. The only negative is that the cables cannot be split so if the usb ports and far from the video port it can be a problem.