Pros: Simple. Transitions from one computer to the next aren't excessively long. Green LED indicating which computer is in use is easily visible.

Cons: On Windows Server 2012, I often have to unplug the USB cable and plug it back in for the system to realize the switch is there, after that it works fine. To even get the switch to work on anything the first time (linux box and Server 2012) I had to unplug it, plug it back in, reboot, reboot again; I've never had this much difficulty with a KVM switch.

Cables plug into 4 sides, making it difficult to find a clean corner of the desk for this to sit on.

Pros: Great cost. Button for each port. Comes with all the cables.
Works great most of the time

Cons: When all ports connected must lay flat and takes up a lot of space. Remember if it is on the floor you have to push the port button to switch ports. When devices reboot or are removed, often lose mouse and keyboard and have to disconnect all cables to reset.

Other Thoughts: Maybe add switch to do keyboard port switching and a way to hang the switch up.

Manufacturer Response:

Hello DMarkham,

To minimize issues with computers detecting the hardware during a switch please allow time for the computer to recognize the hardware before switching. If this is interrupted the PC may load the console hardware as an unknown USB device requiring you to power cycle the KVM. The TK-409K can also be switched using hot keys. Press scroll lock + scroll lock + the up/down arrows are the number of the port. For operating systems with a key mapped for scroll lock you can also use Num lock.



Regards,

Adrian
TRENDnet Support
http://www.trendnet.com/support

Pros: Works OK with a Windows 7 box.

Cons: Despite the claim that TK409K should work with Win98SE, it doesn't seem to. When I switch to the 98 box, it's all frozen; I have to hit the reset button before I can do anything. Maybe there's a driver I need to install?

Manufacturer Response:

Hello Davyd,

The TK-409K is a pass-through appliance. There is no driver for the KVM itself. You can uninstall and reinstall your HID drivers for your mouse and keyboard and allow the operating system to reinstall them. Try disconnecting and reconnecting the mouse and keyboard directly to the computer to see if that also causes the lock up. This is essentially what the KVM is doing when switching.

Try swapping the channel on the KVM to ensure the issue isn’t the KVM channel or the cables. If the Windows 7 box works on both channels without issues the problem is most likely not hardware related. If you need assistance please email Adrian@trendnet.com and we will have someone assist you as soon as possible. Please include a link to this review.


Regards,

Adrian
TRENDnet Support
http://www.trendnet.com/support

Pros: None (it doesn't work)

Cons: Bought this a while ago. Broke open the box because now I need to use it and nothing. Doesn't work. I mean no signs of life. No lights; nothing.

Manufacturer Response:

Hello,

We are sorry to hear that you are having an issue with the TK-409K. Please make sure that everything is connected and seated securely to the KVM. Do not place any third party hardware between the KVM and the computer to rule out any issues. Including any type of interface converters, docking stations or extension cables. If the issue persists please email Adrian@trendnet.com and we will have someone assist you with submitting an RMA request for warranty services. Please include a link to this review.


Regards,

Adrian
TRENDnet Support
http://www.trendnet.com/support

Pros: Pros? You can select specific inputs rather than a single button to cycle through inputs until you get to the desired input.

Cons: Plenty! It would only sporadically work on a PC running Server 2003 and generally not have issues with two different Win7 PC's until today. Today when switching back to one of the Win7 PC's the red indicator light just kept flashing instead of staying solid after a couple seconds. This is what it would frequently do when switching to the Server 2003 machine and then the mouse and keyboard would not function. I ended up powering all three pc's off (using the power button since mouse and keyboard would not work now on ANY of the PC's). I switched to input 2 on the KVM and powered on that PC. The red indicator light just kept flashing. When the PC fully booted the light was still flashing and then I received an error saying the USB device connected to the PC had failed. I connected the mouse and keyboard directly to the pc, bypassing the KVM switch, but leaving the monitor plugged in to the KVM and they still won't work. I finally ended up eliminating the KVM completely, going with a direct connect for the mouse, keyboard, and monitor and after powering down the PC using the power switch that PC is back up and running. Save yourself plenty of headaches and go with the iogear unit. I'm using one of those purchased from Newegg and have not had any problems with it. You can't select a specific port with it though. You have to cycle through them until you get to the input you want...but it works!

Manufacturer Response:

Hello Cayman Diver,

We are sorry to hear that you are having issues with the TK-409K. This KVM uses a pass-through architecture, not a hardware emulator. When it switches it is physically disconnecting the hardware connected to the console ports from the active computer to the new computer. When this occurs your computers need to redetect and reload the console hardware. Switching too fast or something interrupting this process can cause the OS to load the hardware as an unknown device.

Typically you can power cycle the KVM to recover it. You will have to disconnect all the KVM cables from the KVM simultaneously for it to lose power as it is bus powered. After you reconnect the cables the computer should reload the hardware.

If you are using any third party hardware between the KVM and the console hardware or the computers you may want to remove them to see if they are causing the issues as well. For example, interface converters, docking stations or extension cables.

Regards,

Adrian
TRENDnet Support
http://www.trendnet.com/support

Pros: Sale price was good.

Cons: I'm trying to use this to switch between a Windows 8.1 PC and a Mac mini, but while this KVM can switch from the PC to the Mac, when I try to switch back, the PC can't see the KVM or anything attached to it. I found that someone submitted a review for this device at a large online bookstore with the same problem.

I submitted a support ticket to Trendnet. After five days, I finally received a canned response which said to make sure I use their cables, use the latest drivers, etc., and ignored the actual problem.

Manufacturer Response:

Hi Anonymous,

I can understand your frustration for this unit not working as promised and for that I deeply apologize. Please email me directly at adrian@trendnet.com with "Newegg TK-409K Review" in the subject line and I will be able to respond immediately to help you get setup and running smoothly. Thank you for taking the time to review our product. We hope to hear from you soon to regain your trust in TRENDnet.

Warm Regards,
Adrian
TRENDnet Sales Support Team

Pros: Cheap.

Cons: With the VGA cable plugged in from my laptop's VGA out to the switch and the port number on the switch selected to my laptop's input, I get no display... i.e. no external display detected. However, when I select an input other than my laptop's on the switch, my laptop detects external display and switches off! So I can not have my laptop connected at all!

Manufacturer Response:

Hi Valued Customer,

We apologize for your overall frustration for this KVM switch kit not working as promised. If not mistaken, you have a laptop along with other PCs connecting to this KVM and sharing a same set of keyboard, VGA and mouse. I am curious if you have used the proprietary VGA cable from TRENDnet, and also if a different port works for your laptop or not. Please email me at adrian@trendnet.com with "Newegg TK-409K Review" in the subject line and I will be able to assist you immediately.

Warm Regards,

Adrian

Pros: Almost works. Switches sound.

Cons: I have been in contact with Trendnet and they have NOT found a solution.

Their last email to me said that this device does not support EDID emulation, despite saying that it did earlier.

Then they said that I should switch whatever system I am starting to use the Monitor and the resolution issue will not happen. I use Wake On LAN remotely and cannot always switch resolutions - so this is NOT a solution.

Their engineering staff is just deciding not to fix the issue.

Manufacturer Response:

Dear customer,

Please accept our deepest apologies for any inconvenience this has caused you. Please contact us at sales@trendnet.com with "Newegg TK-409 Product Review" in the subject line and someone will assist you immediately to resolve your issue. We look forward to hearing from you directly and restoring your faith in TRENDnet products.

Thanks,

TRENDnet Sales Team

Pros: Works, switches speakers and mic also. Cables are included.

Cons: Does not appear to support EDID - so when a Windows 7 machine that is not currently displaying on the monitor boots up it always defaults to 1024 x 768.

The wires coming out all sides limits the places where this can be placed and the cables are a bit on the short side.

Manufacturer Response:

Dear Candide,

Please accept our deepest apologies for this inconvenience. Our engineers are looking into it now and will contact you soon for a possible resolution. Please e-mail us at sales@trendnet.com , reference “New Egg Product Review” and someone will contact you immediately to get you up and running.

Warmest regards,

TRENDnet Sales Team

Pros: Allows me to share monitor, keyboard, mouse, and audio.

Cons: Buttons are not always responsive. I have to play with it a little to get to the right machine.

Manufacturer Response:

Valued customer,

We are sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused you. Please e-mail us at sales@trendnet.com, reference "New Egg product review", and someone will contact you in an expedited manner. We look forward to working with you directly and restoring your faith in TRENDnet products.

Warmest Regards,

TRENDnet Sales Team