MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
I'm looking for a KVM switcher to switch a USB keyboard and mouse, and maybe HDMI video. The monitor has 2 inputs so video switching isn't absolutely necessary. I'm stuck working out what's a good brand to look for
There are plenty of cheap identical looking ones on Amazon but most seem to suffer with longevity and possible power issues, with power from one PC being injected into the other.
Dell sell Startech.com ones, so I guess this gives an indication of quality
Can anyone recommend one?
Startech, I've used a couple of 2 way ones for work so the main and backup control PC can run concurrently and they've been completely reliable. The 4 way one one of the switches has died but it does get thrown in a road trunk 2-3 times a year between jobs so TBH that's really not surprising.
Used this one for years - https://www.amazon.co.uk/UGREEN-Sharing-Keyboard-Scanner-Printer-Black/dp/B01N6GD9JO/
Just have it stuck under my desk, reach down for the button when I want to switch. I put mouse, keyboard, headset dongle, webcam through it, all fine. Doesn't do display but my monitor handles auto-switching pretty well, else it a couple of button presses.
My wife has been through a few of the cheaper HDMI KVMs and they seem flakey as anything - she's just reverted to using it for display now and manually plugs a USB hub between machines.
Startech are decent kit IME, but quite pricey if you need reasonable resolution (ie more than a server console).
Should add I've got a UGREEN one and it's starting to fail, hence the search
This AIMOS was a cheapo from Amazon and has been fine for the last 2 years.
I have had 2,3 and 4 computers plugged in at various times to connect to keyboard & mouse, headphones, camera and microphone
I found that AIMOS on Amazon, then saw the dozen or so copies. Wondered which is the original
In the end I got an older, unused Startech USB/VGA switcher from eBay. It has a reassuring relay click when switching so I guess the USB power is isolated between PCs. Might actually use the VGA too as it's very handy to switch with the keyboard hot keys. Don't really need super high quality display output