IOGEAR GUB211 USB 2.0 Printer Auto Sharing Switch IOGEAR GUB211 USB 2.0 Printer Auto Sharing Switch

Pros: It half works.

Cons: Win7 on one machine, XP on the other. Win7 side software does not capture the USB port when switch activated. Have to pull both PC cables and reinsert the Win7 box first to get the printer connected to it. XP side software works flawlessly.

Other Thoughts: Suspect a driver update needed, but I'm not holding my breath for a years old product obviously developed for XP.

Manufacturer Response:

Thank you for choosing IOGEAR and we apologize for the inconvenience. To better service you and understand your set up, please feel to contact our customer support at 1-866-946-4327 or email us: support@iogear.com. The software for the GUB211 must be installed on both computers. Once the software is installed you will have a bubble icon in the system tray to activate the software to your printer. The problem you are describing is usually related to the software for the GUB211 not being installed or not installed correctly. Once again, thank you for choosing IOGEAR.

Pros: Simple Install, Priced Right, Small and Light

Cons: None

Other Thoughts: Does what it says it does, can't ask more than that.

Pros: Two USB cables included. The switch is small and attractively designed with good display of which printer is active in the switch.

Cons: I wanted to connect one monochrome laser printer (Brother HL-2070) to two Windows 7 machines. I installed the software on the machines. It was a little confusing getting the printer selection functioning properly from the System Tray application. Then, the system worked. Then, the lights on the switch changed as expected, but the system did not work anymore. No printing. I have no idea why. Time to start futzing, or just disconnect and uninstall the system and go back to manually moving cables. The moving cable method works without the futz.

Manufacturer Response:

First, thank you for choosing IOGEAR and we apologize for your experience. The product should not behave as you described. The problem you are describing can be related to the software for the GUB211 not being installed correctly on both of your computers. You will find a bubble icon in the system tray on both computers when the software is installed correctly Please contact our customer service at email: support@iogear.com and let us know in more detail on when and how you’re having this experience. We strive to ensure our customers are serviced with a properly working unit to exceed your satisfaction. Again, thank you for choosing IOGEAR.

Pros: Works as advertised on Windows XP and Canon multifunction printer. Comes with 2 cables. Easy to install.

Cons: None.

Other Thoughts: If you have one printer and are tired of swapping cables between computers, you will ask yourself why you didn't buy this sooner.

Pros: None

Cons: Try to network with 2 laptops using windows 7 home 64bit. It works fine after install, but fails a couple of hours later, then it crashes your printer. A truly terrible experience, hours of troubleshooting. Do not get this,it will save you a lot of time and aggravation!!!

Manufacturer Response:

Thank you for choosing IOGEAR and we apologize for the inconvenience. To better service you and understand your set up, please feel to contact our customer support at 1-866-946-4327 or email us: support@iogear.com. Once again, thank you for choosing IOGEAR.

Pros: Simple, 2 supplied cables, works as expected

Cons: none

Other Thoughts: This device does in fact allow you to share 1 printer between 2 computers. The sharing is automatic once the software is installed and configured on both computers.

Pros: Cute device, USB cables supplied

Cons: On the company website the description of the GUB211 is this: "IOGEAR's USB 2.0 Printer Auto Sharing Switch enables two PCs and/ or Macs to easily share* one USB printer, multi-function printer, or USB device. No more plugging and unplugging between your computers. Simply send the print job and the switch automatically makes the swap for you."
The product did not deliver the advertised functions for me. It was glitchy (intermittent malfunctions) hooked to my Canon MP610 multi-function printer (MFP) and Tech Support at Iogear, although courteous, couldn't solve the problem. And this will apply to every user: the so-called automatic switching is not automatic because it requires manually choosing a setting from a popup menu each time the alternate computer wants to print. That ain't automatic. (2 iMac dual core Intel computers, OS 10.6.8, Canon MP610 printer)

Other Thoughts: I believe the Iogear product description should disclose that the GUB211 MAY NOT work with your MFP printer.

Pros: Newegg shipped quick and was great as always!

Cons: Well, I guess I was expecting a bit more from it. I purchased this to share a memory stick between two xboxes (to share a live profile and saved games). I did read that it needs drivers to share between two computers at the same time when using a storage device. I figured that since only one xbox would be on at a time, it should be able to switch between them, since only one will be supplying power at a time. Unfortunately, this device will no do that. It will only share to the left device, even if the power is coming from the right device, and nothing is plugged into the left side.

Other Thoughts: Time to build my own...

Manufacturer Response:

Thank you for choosing IOGEAR and we apologize for your experience. This devise requires the software to be loaded in order to switch between the devises. I am sorry but the GUB 211 cannot be used for your specific needs. Once again, thank you for choosing IOGEAR.

Pros: Connect cables properly, install software, plug into PC, bam... everything works.

Cons: None.

Pros: Software works great. Unit is small and portable. Printer funtions work perfect.

Cons: Using the unit with a USB hard drive requires the use of a powered hub. The unit does not have enough power (as it pulls its power from the USB) to spin up a USB hard drive. If you have a self powered hard drive it will work fine. If you have a USB powered hard drive you'll need a hub.

Other Thoughts: Great unit for the price! Does everything it says it's supposed to do. Software was a quick install. Make sure you connect the device to each computer before installing the unit.