An Indispensable Piece of Hardware for my Home Office
If you’re a geek like me, you probably have several makes and models of computers in your home office. At the world headquarters of Soho Trends, we’ve got one PC desktop, one Mac Mini, one Dell Latitude D630 laptop, one Compaq 8510w laptop, one Brother MFC-7340 multifunction laser printer, and a partridge in a pear tree. One small, inexpensive piece of hardware that has been invaluable is my KVM switch.
The KVM in a KVM switch stands for Keyboard, Video and Mouse. Simply put, a KVM switch is a piece of hardware that will allow multiple (usually 2 or 4) computers to share a single keyboard, video monitor and/or mouse. Why is this necessary? Well, I do most of my writing, e-mailing, internet surfing, programming, etc. on my Dell laptop. I hate the keyboard, mouse pointer and trackpad that comes standard with most laptops. Instead, I use a really cheap external USB keyboard and USB mouse. For some of my consulting work, my clients provide me with a dedicated laptop to use. Instead of constantly unplugging my external keyboard and mouse from one laptop and plugging it into a second laptop, I can use a KVM switch and switch from one laptop (or desktop) to another without my hands leaving the keyboard. The KVM switch that I have (which is shown in the picture on the right) is an IOGear 2-Port MiniView Micro USB PLUS KVM Switch.
I have a second, identical IOGear KVM switch that is connected between the PC desktop and Mac Mini upstairs in our family room. Since I’m sharing two desktop computers, in addition to a common keyboard and mouse, I have a monitor that is shared between the two computers. The only (small) glitch is with sharing a keyboard between a Mac and a Windows PC is that I haven’t been able to find a keyboard that works for both PC and Mac computers. The standard PC/Windows keyboard has special keys like the Windows key. The standard Apple/Mac keyboard has special keys like the Command and Option keys.
If you look closely at the picture, you’ll see a label with the words “scroll lock” on it. What’s that? Well, this particular KVM has a soft switch. To switch between two PCs using a standard PC keyboard, you press the Scroll Lock key twice rapidly. On an Apple/Mac keyboard, you use the F14 key. Most low-end KVM switches have soft switches. Some may have hard or actual physical switches that you use to switch. Higher-end KVM switches — usually those that you use to control dozens of computers, have video overlays that allow you to choose which computer to switch to through a more user-friendly menu.
While I purchased my IOGear KVM switch at my local MicroCenter (great store for us geeks), you can buy it at Amazon for around $30 dollars. Setup and installation is a breeze. There are two USB ports — one specifically for the keyboard and one for the mouse — on the front of the switch. The RGB port sits in between the two USB ports. There’s an Audio port on the right side of the switch. At the back of the switch there are two sets of cables. One set of cables is connected to each of the two computers you’re switching between. Each set contains a RGB connection (video), a USB connection (keyboard and mouse) and an Audio port. Connect the RGB to your desktop/laptop. Connect the USB to a free USB port. Connect the audio plug to the speaker/audio out of your computer. That’s it!
While I haven’t had problems with my home office setup, I have heard that a handful of users have had problems with KVM switches, not just the IOGear switches, with non-standard setups, such as keyboard adapters (USB to PS2). If you have a common setup like I do, you shouldn’t have too many problems.
[...] Originally posted here: An Indispensable Piece of Hardware for my Home Office [...]
Oh, if only it were that easy. Too many variables. Support for VGA? Support for Apple monitors? Compatibility with systems using DVI—VGA adaptors? My Iogear KVM was a big disappointment. It didn’t deliver. And BTW, expect to spend $200 and upwards for the right solution. A $30 KVM switch won’t cut it for serious users.
Bubba – Thanks for the comment. Your point is well taken. For the majority of users who have straightforward configurations, like me, I believe the IOGear KVM switch is a great deal. You’re absolutely right about a $30 KVM switch not being able to support the more “complex” configurations you mentioned.
Actually, I’ve owned two of this same model and in my experience this model of KVM does not work in even the most basic set-up, over time.
Major problems include:
1. they invariably break down. They are not made to last – the cables, in particular where they connect to the unit, and the audio port seem fragile.
2. the “audio” sharing commonly produces an annoying buzzing sound from the speakers at anything over minimal levels.
3. the “audio” sharing cannot handle anything above 2.0 systems, not even a 2.1 system with subwoofer.
4. at least on recent Mac OS (OS X) the screen resolution is never saved when you swap back and forth and thus it constantly has to reset itself from 640 x 480 when you switch to your Mac, which is time consuming and messes up all your window arrangements.
5. the soft key set-up is a PAIN to get set-up and is not very user friendly. the instructions on it are not great, in my opinion, and it can take a long time fiddling with your KBRD to get the alternate key sequence to work (i.e. if using a Mac specific keyboard or a PC keyboard w/ no scroll-lock key). I have never read that you can use F14 on a Mac keyboard, either online or in the instructions, are you sure of this, and does it work on all Mac keyboards. I have my doubts…
I have not personally found a good low-end KVM that also handles audio, and have tried most of them. I currently use an IOGear 4-Port MiniView USB KVM Switch with Audio and Cables (GCS634U), that is made to have the same form factor as the Mac Mini. It has all the same problems as above, except the build factor – it is sturdier than the one you have – that’s about what it has going for it. I guess the only real solution is to spend a couple hundred and buy a high end KVM.
Lou –
I haven’t experienced the same type of issues with the KVM breaking down. I agree that the connection between the cables and the unit do seem a bit fragile; however, in my home office setup, the KVM switch is plugged in all the time and doesn’t “move” at all.
I don’t have the same issues with screen resolution switching back and forth on the Mac and I do run OS X (Leopard, not Snow Leopard).
I have a 3rd party Mac keyboard and F14 does work. You have a good point. It might work because the keyboard maps F14 to Scroll Lock. I’ll see if I can borrow a “real” Mac keyboard and see if it works.
Frankly, I’m surprised that the audio works as well as it does
You’re right about the limitations of the audio, but keep in mind that it is a low-end KVM switch.
Thanks again for your feedback. I hope you continue to visit SohoTrends.com!
One more downside: you cannot share a Microphone input, so you cannot use a mic on the connected systems unless you unplug the KVM. This was my fault for not noticing this when I bought it – the same thing goes for the Mac Mini shaped GCS634U – so if you want a mic, you should buy the high-end models.
could i use one of these to share my keyboard with my wii/xbox 360/laptop?
Hmm… that’s a good question. I don’t see why not.
I’m going to try and use the KVM to share a USB keyboard between my PC and the Wii. I’ll report back shortly with my results.
Thanks for the question. I hope you continue to visit and participate on SohoTrends.com.
UPDATE: I was able to share my USB keyboard with my Dell laptop as well as a Nintendo Wii. As always, YMMV…