IOGEAR GCS1104 4-Port USB DVI KVMP Switch with Audio and Cables

Pros: Very good kvmp switch. I wanted to get the same switch with HDMI option but it was more expansive. I still get the sound via separate audio connectors build into the switch.

Cons: none

Other Thoughts: It does not transfer gaming shortcut of the Logitech G500 wired mouse (web browser forward and back buttons, scroll works fine).

Pros: has all the ports i wanted

Cons: ports die, and die, and die, until its useless.

Other Thoughts: I bought this to replace an older similar model IOGear KVM that died on me just out of warrenty. 6 months of using the new KVM later my mouse started skipping. so i bought a new mouse. then a week later, the keyboard has keys sticking. swap that out and its the same thing with a new keyboard. so plug in the old mouse and keyboard into the usb peripheral ports and both work. so i figure the mouse and keyboard ports have gone bad on the KVM. a few days later, they keyboard starts up doing the same thing. I called IOGear and they want me to pay to ship the bad unit in for repair and wait for news on the surgery. I think that I am done giving money to IOGear.

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 problem you are having could be related to the keyboard and mouse you are using. This KVM is emulated so there is no guarantee it will work with wireless of special function keyboard and mice. The RMA policy states that the customer will pay one way shipping to IOGEAR and we will pay the shipping back. The GCS1104 carries a 3 year warranty. Once again, thank you for choosing IOGEAR.

Pros: Able to function without PS2 connections.
USB front connection works with USB hub.
Switch functions are intuitive

Cons: none so far

Other Thoughts: With a 4 PC setup and 3 monitors my latest motherboards came with a single ps2 connection necessitating a ps2 y connector to hookup my keyboard and mouse. This was never satisfactory because the ps2 y connectors did not always woke with the mouse. So I had a mouse for every PC, wires and switches. everywhere and a cluttered desk. Installing this KVMP made the clutter disappear. The old 4 port dual monitor KVM now is just used as a dual monitor switch and this KVMP is the master control

Pros: Convenient switching of DVI Video, Speakers, Microphone and USB Keyboard, Mouse and other device(s). Supports USB focus separate from KVMA so can share printers, scanners HDDs, etc. (i.e. PC can continue to access these devices even if KVM switched away to another PC). Clean integrated cables.

Cons: Even momentary power cycle of PC causes connection to switch away to another PC. This can be *very* annoying, especially when so many motherboards these days perform a power cycle during cold reboots. There doesn't seem to be a way to disable this "feature"...

Other Thoughts: 1. Even with cable integration, you still end up with a mess once you toss power, LAN, etc. into the fray. I would love to see a version of this product with LAN support thrown in as well. That is, a GB switch with one WAN port, 4 ports for the PCs (integrated into the PC cables) and 1 or 2 other ports for NAS, printer, etc.)...

2. I have always wondered why the connection of the integrated cables to the unit is done using all of the various connectors. Yes, it's helpful when not using the integrated cables, but 99.99% of the time you *are* using these cables (and the cables are part of the buying decision). Why not have a single connector on the one end, which passes along all of the functionality, and only the other end would have the octopus of connectors of the various types to plug into the PC? This would make the area around the unit a lot cleaner and less complicated...

Pros: Works as advertised. Quality/solid build. Best KVM for the price I've ever owned.

Cons: None

Other Thoughts: Was unable to use a Logitech wireless unifying receiver for key/mouse combo in either of the dedicated key/mouse USB port. However, if the receiver was used in peripheral USB port, it worked. Older none unifying Logitech wireless receivers work fine in dedicated mouse port. Using a wired keyboard and Logitech wireless mouse w/my setup.

2 x Win XP pc
1 x Win Vista Business laptop/docking station
1 x Win 7 pc

All using audio connections, all works great.

Take a few minutes to memorize some of the hot key functions and you'll love this KVM.

Not a good choice if you need to use any VGA D-sub connected GPU/Monitor. But if you did your homework before purchase, you'd know that.

Pros: Works!

Cons: None.

Other Thoughts: I had a ps/2 keyboard that wasn't compatible even with an adapter. Big deal - I went and got a new $20 wired usb keyboard. Problem solved and the new kboard is nicer anyway.

One mild irritant is that when one computer shuts down the kvm automatically switches to a computer that is on. I haven't figured out how to disable that feature.

Pros: Does what I need with 4 computers including letting me leave audio playback on one while working on another.

Cons: Needs a bit more weight to counter balance the pull of the cords when fully hooked up but otherwise fine.

Pros: Works as expected

Cons: None yet.

Other Thoughts: I had an IOGear GCS1204, which was a few years old. It started getting flaky (No response from keyboard or mouse). Just bought this unit as a replacement. Works great!

Pros: With construction so good, it feels (and weighs) as much as a solid metal brick. If it ever fails, it will make a great doorstop.

Does what its supposed to and does it well.

Includes almost all the cables you need to connect either three computers and a monitor. Or four computers and no monitor :)

Cons: Customer service was inconsistent. If you have a problem covered in the manual, its great. If not, they initially try to help, but don't follow up well.

In my case, I solved my own problem. You cannot upgrade firmware from Windows Vista. An upgrade from Windows XP works. Don't know about upgrades from Windows 7 or others.

Cannot disable autoscan mode. This can be annoying if you need to temporarily turn on/off your computer. In my case, I have an old style notebook with VGA connector and a monitor without DVI-I. So, because I was only using this port for keyboard / mouse, it kept switching automatically away from it when other equipment was turned on. Hopefully, they'll eventually upgrade the firmware so that you can disable this feature.

Hot key strokes are a bit clunky, but manageable.

Other Thoughts: If you have a VGA computer, be careful that your monitor has a DVI-I connector. Many only have DVI-D. If your monitor does not have this connector, you will not be able to use this switch (unless you buy a very expensive converter).

Even if you are all digital, expect you may have to buy some adapters. In my case, I needed HDMI to DVI-D and DisplayPort to DVI-D.

Works well with Windows XP, Windows Vista (no firmware upgrade), and Windows 7. I have each connected now and plan to include Linux shortly. I may update at that point.

Pros: I never write reviews but just wanted to state that this works and works well. Plugged everything in and it just worked immediately.

Cons: None.

Other Thoughts: I had to disable mouse emulation to get the side buttons on my Logitech MX518 working