KVM Port Switch Recommendations?

**Baron_Osiris** · June 16th, 2005, 12:54 PM

I'm currently in the process of setting up a tech bench for my computer repair business. I need a KVM port switch. After looking on Newegg.com I see that there is a lot of different brands and types to choose from. So I knew that this was the place to ask my fellow technicians for opinions.

I've tested two so far. One I bought like 5 years ago. It was the most generic cheapest one I could find. It was mechanical (no hot-key) and only worked part of the time. Then I tried a trendware TK-200K. This worked good. However I am now using it at a customer site for his servers. The only thing I didn't like about this one was that the ports were on all 4 sides so it looked like crap on my desk with cords running every where.

To narrow this down I will say that I want one with the ports on the back. It would be nice to have this mounted on the under side of a desk but that is not a necessity. I want a 4-8 computer model and I want to spend around $100.

So any opinions on what is good? What is bad? Anything to stay away from? Any awesome deals out there?

**InTheWayBoy** · June 16th, 2005, 02:27 PM

Belkin has a 'high-end' line of KVM's called OmniView that are probably the best...but you pay out the rear for them. For under a $100 I haven't come across the perfect one yet. Either the layout is horrible or they have switching problems with certain PC's. Like the mouse won't be there when you switch back to certain ones.

**slgrieb** · June 16th, 2005, 05:58 PM

Personally, I just prefer to hook each machine to its own monitor, etc. Used or castoff monitors cost next to nothing, and if one of them craps out, well, you have only lost one station.

**Beammeup** · June 16th, 2005, 06:11 PM

I like the I/O Gear KVM's myself

**Quattro** · June 17th, 2005, 03:44 AM

I/O Gear...works great

**arch0nmyc0n** · June 17th, 2005, 02:01 PM

I'm currently using this one:

http://www.startech.com/ststore/item...tID=SV831&mt=K

Works awesome. Have had one or two computers that haven't liked using the mouse through the switch. I'm trying to get my boss interested in the addon listed here:

http://www.startech.com/ststore/Item...V831MEDIA&mt=K

I always hate fumbling with a cheap set of speakers cause it gets tangled pretty quick... also if I had the lines there already I won't forget to test the sound card...