KVM Switches

[Newtun]

Greetings from the dark ages!

I have a Zonet 4-way KVM switch that worked fine for many years, but has started to get a bit flaky. (It sometimes misses keystrokes or mouse movements.) The other limitation it has is that it uses a PS/2 keyboard and mouse, which are getting moderately rare, in case one of them fails and I have to replace it.

Does anyone here have any recommendations for solid, reliable USB KVM switches that are not too expensive? When I search online, I see numerous options, but many seem to be somewhat unreliable, according to reviews, and are from fairly mysterious manufacturers.

TIA for your input.

 

[ddrueding]

I can't speak towards "not too expensive" as I haven't been looking in that space, but the Level1Techs KVMs get outrageously good reviews, and don't seem too crazy for what they are.

That said, every time I consider getting one a PiKVM suits my needs better.

Edited to point to 4-port model

 

[Mercutio]

I get good mileage out of using RustDesk for my computers since I honestly have damned near everything somewhere in my home.
I have a portable 15" FHD display I can move around to whatever system if I actually need to look in firmware for the very rare times I need to do that.

 

[Newtun]

Thanks very much, DD and Merc, for your responses. But Level1 is above my budget level.

I had to crawl under my desk to check, but confirmed that another limitation I have is that one of my PCs, a bargain-basement Dell PowerEdge T20 "mini-server" with an Intel Xeon E3-1225 v3 CPU, can only handle VGA display output.

I realize that moving to DP or HDMA would be "better", but then I would have to install a graphics card into that box, and hope that all 4 PCs could handle those video interfaces as a KVM alternative.

In the interim, I came across a few amateur-level "black-box" "plug-n-play" choices; e. g., Tripp-Lite, a brand I've at least heard of, has some KVM options, such as this one.

One other consideration I have is that my current KB has very handy sound volume-level "buttons", which I use a lot. As you know, there is significant variation in the default volume levels of various online video and audio files. It's so nice to be able to adjust that by "just push a button."

I'll continue checking into these issues, but meanwhile, I'll go by the adage that "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."

 

[Mercutio]

KVMs are one of those things that should be a lot cheaper than they are. You can get a keyboard and mouse for $15 and a portable display for $50, so how the hell is it $300 to get a box with a push-button to switch between four inputs?

 

[sedrosken]

I've got an 8-input rackmount TrippLite VGA/PS2 unit for my vintage desk. It works very well, I have no complaints.

 

[Newtun]

Taking some measurements, that Tripp-Lite B032-VUA4 model I mentioned above has (handy) built-in cables, but they're only 4 feet, and I need 6 feet to reach all 4 PCs in my office.

OTOH, they have one, B006-VU4-1, for which I must purchase 6-foot cables separately, but it can handle either PS/2 or USB keyboards and mice.

So then I wouldn't have to switch from my current keyboard or mouse, but I could if one of them fails. However, I can't find that KVM on NewEgg or Amazon.

Next question: has anyone had experience buying from CDW? They seem legit, though more business-oriented; I hope they deal with amateurs.

Thanks again, all.

 

[sdbardwick]

CDW is a public corporation with a market capitalization of about 23 billion. They are reputable. I think I bought from them way back in the 1980s (we are talking ATI VGA Wonder times). They had a direct to consumer division for many years; don't know how corporate they have gone.

 

[Mercutio]

I used to get fulfillment on corporate orders from CDW in the mid-90s when I was just the kid moving new PCs on to people's desks and I remember seeing their full color catalogs in the late 80s, before I discovered Computer Shopper. That is some SERIOUS history.

 

[Newtun]

Thanks, fellows. IIRC (and that's always a big If), CDW used to stand for Computer Discount Warehouse.

 

[ddrueding]

Yup, CDW is legit, but their customer service sucks unless you are big enough to have an account rep. Then it is awesome. Mine used to send me Scotch for Christmas.

 

[Newtun]

Thanks again, all. I've made the purchase, and it's supposed to be delivered Monday.

So I'll be doing some calisthenics next week, crawling under and around my desk, unplugging the old KVM from the 4 PCS, and plugging in the new one.

​

 

[Newtun]

The new KVM switch was delivered a day early, and I got it installed and working OK.

​

I'm leaving the old, disconnected one in place for a while, to make sure the new one is reliable.