WTB: KVM with USB and DVI ports [Archive]

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livingfortoday

Mar 7, 2006, 09:27 PM

Hey, I'm looking to get a KVM switch to switch between my PC and the Mini I plan on getting. Thing is, I'm using a USB keyboard and mouse, and would really like to get a switch that has USB and DVI if possible. For some reason I can't seem to find a KVM that's affordable that doesn't have just VGA.

I'm looking to spend $50 at most right now, as my backup option is getting the Belkin Flip for Mac Mini (with discount code it's $50.99), even though it's VGA. I'll settle if it'll save me an arm and a leg.

But please, if you have an extra KVM, or one you want to get rid of, please let me know.

robo74

Mar 7, 2006, 09:36 PM

Do a little research on them, there are a few out there, but people have had alot of issues with them. My buddy finally found one that works well, but he put out almost $200 for it with cables. I have not seen it yet, but I wont drop that kind of coin on it. He tried many on the market, ended up returning all of them. He said you get what you pay for when it comes to kvm's.

Maybe someone can jump in and hook you up with something.
Good luck with your search.

post back when you find one that works well :-)

Rob

livingfortoday

Mar 7, 2006, 09:45 PM

Yeah, I've read good and bad reviews about even the Belkin Flip. Supposedly things can get blurry at low resolutions, and it can cause some pretty serious ghosting. If the KVM really is going to have to set me back $200+, I'll probably just get a second LCD and call it a day. But I'm really hoping that someone at least has some good suggestions for KVM's, if not one they'd be willing to part with.

livingfortoday

Mar 7, 2006, 09:51 PM

barneygumble

Mar 7, 2006, 10:02 PM

Also, let me throw this out there. Is it possible to get just a USB switch for a keyboard and mouse, to share between the PC and Mac? If I get two monitors, one for each computer, that is. And would that be considerably cheaper?

Hint: you dont have to plug the monitor into the kvm, just the keyboard and mouse will do:)

ucscc10

Mar 7, 2006, 10:06 PM

CanadaRAM

Mar 7, 2006, 10:15 PM

Whoa - a lot of questions.

Yes you can get DVI - USB switchboxes - generally they are $150 and up. IOGear and DR. Bott are two sources. (Aten and IOGear use the same hardware IIRC). I use an IOGear on my Dell 20" between my Mac and PC.

Yes, you can get just a USB switcher quite cheaply. But some don't play well with Macs (the Mac doesn't reestablish the connection when you switch to it). Other than getting one specifically advertised as Mac compatible, don't know how else to tell.

Some higher end monitors have multiple DVI inputs and you can switch from the monitor/s front panel.

livingfortoday

Mar 7, 2006, 10:16 PM

also, there are monitors that have 2 inputs. i'm using one right now, and while there is only 1 dvi input, i love it here at school for splitting up the mac and pc (gotta be able to game when one is in college). good luck

You are my new best friend. I just checked, and the monitor I ordered has VGA and DVI inputs. I can plug the Mini in with VGA, and the PC with the DVI.

Now - the USB switch, though? I can only find USB switches that allow sharing of printers and such, so they have those big square USB inputs. Nothing decent for keyboards.

Thought: Maybe this could be moved to the Buying Advice thread? Since it kind of has evolved into more advice than sale? Unless someone has a USB switch?

randas

Mar 7, 2006, 11:17 PM

Also, let me throw this out there. Is it possible to get just a USB switch for a keyboard and mouse, to share between the PC and Mac? If I get two monitors, one for each computer, that is. And would that be considerably cheaper?

na na na na!!! skip that, synergy man, Synergy!! (google it) its an asome little app that lets your mouse move from one screen to the other, like screen spanning. it also shares your keyboard.