StarTech.com SV231USB 2-port KVM Switch for VGA Computers - USB - Full KVM Kit Cables Included

Pros: The KVM can be set up in a mere matter of minutes. Just hook it up with a keyboard, monitor and mouse of your choice. With the push of a button, you can easily switch between your two machines. The switching is fast so you can hop back and forth between the two machines with little delay. The KVM switch weighs about 14 ounces, so it sits where you put it. Rubber feet are included that you can install if you want, so the switch won't slide on or scratch your desk surface. You get two combined video/USB cables that are generous in length; your two computers could be as much as 12 feet apart! The KVM has THREE USB type A connectors so you can hook up a third component. I tested it with a USB flash drive and it worked great.

Cons: I can't really call this a con, because it's just the way USB works...when you switch machines, you may notice Windows playing the disconnect sound. This is because Windows actually "disconnects" the USB device. Not a big deal at all, but something to bear in mind. Might be more of an issue with sharing something like a disk/flash drive; you could corrupt it if you switch while a data transfer is underway.

Overall Review: Great job StarTech! Just as a side note, this particular switch doesn't switch audio.

Pros: -well constructed -works like a USB hub -comes with cables -works great! about a 1/2-1 second delay before the mouse/keyboard works, very negligable

Cons: -beeps when you switch -I think it is actually unplugging the USB cable to the inactive computer when you switch. Windows beeps like it's detecting a PnP device. I have no problems with this though. -no hotkey switching, but I knew that at purchase

Overall Review: I have a usb wireless mouse/keyboard combo (one usb cable), the Wireless Microsoft Elite combo. I had trouble with other switches, many have a USB and MOUSE defined usb port, it turns out some of those are NOT true USB connections, this one works great though.

Comments: Note that this has male VGA so buy gender benders. Also, this doesn't come w/ cables. :(

Pros: I have a wireless keyboard mouse combo (one usb connector) and I had some trouble with other switches; this one works great. The delay is usually about 1-2 seconds.

Cons: I think it actually unplugs the usb from one pc and plugs it into another; you can hear windows detecting the new input device. This works for me, others might not like this. No keyboard quick key, but I was fine with this.

Pros: You (barely) get a video signal and it works over a network.

Cons: Mouse that you are controlling on the client is always out of sync with the mouse you see on your screen and jumps around randomly. Sometimes it sends duplicates of keystrokes. The video feed from the device is horrendously slow even when connected to the same 10/100 switch as it. Sometimes it just seems to send random input all on its own.

Overall Review: I initially thought the problems I had with this device were due to its poor handling of network latency, since I was connected to it over an already fairly taxed T1 connection. Once I had actually been onsite and had the need for the device however, I realized that it's just junk. Due to the apparently random (and extremely frequent) input and control errors, it take 10-15 minutes to do something that should be doable in 3. This is one of the most infuriating pieces of technology I have ever used. Get something else.

Pros: Compact, sturdy, and user-friendly. Footprint is about 4" x 2.5", and with cables connected, no more than 4" x 4" (12 cm x 12 cm). Used it at home to share KV&M between a WinXP and Linux machine; at work it now shares between two intel Macs. Simple to set up and use; extra USB ports support an external HDD or mic/headset. Button lights are clearly visible but not overly bright. StarTech was very helpful when the switch's power supply brick failed. I opened a live chat session with their customer service rep, and two days later a replacement PS was on my desk.

Cons: Power supply brick failed suddenly 6 months after purchase. The minimal power leeched from the computers' USB ports was sufficient to power the lights on the switch, but not enough to run a USB keyboard. Diagnosed by unhooking usb connections to the computers; if the lights go out on the switch, the PS is faulty. As described above, the manufacturer replaced the faulty PS promptly and cheerfully.

Overall Review: The supplied cables have VGA connections (also called HD-15 or D-sub 15 pin) on both ends, so if your computer or monitor uses a DVI connection you will need an adapter (Male DVI to female VGA) for each incompatible connection. Adapters are inexpensive and available here at the egg - trust the reviews.

Pros: Price is low relative to most other USB kvms.

Cons: There is a longer lag after switching video to register keyboard/mouse activity than I expected. The kvm (with Windows XP Pro) can change the display resolution after switching a couple times when using an uncommon video resolution (specifically 1440x900). What's worse (MS' fault, not StarTech) is that depending on drivers, Windows XP Pro may stop listing 1440x900 as an available resolution setting after this happens.

Pros: If you are looking for a switch that works with your wireless mouse and keyboard, get this one. I have been looking through dozens of these kvms and this had the best rating (even among more expensive models). Love the fact that when you boot the attached systems windows will sense a proper screen resolution and not revert back to 800x600.

Cons: None yet.