TRENDnet 4-Port USB/PS/2 KVM Switch Kit with Audio and Cables TK-423K (Black)

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Price: $96.33    

Product Feature

• Manage up to 4 computers/servers with one set of console devices
• Cables from the KVM switch to the computers/servers feature VGA and PS/2 connectors
• Supported console connections are as follows: PS/2 or USB keyboard and mouse ports, VGA monitor port and speaker/mic port
• Audio/mic port selection may be independent of keyboard, video and mouse port selection
• Control computer/server selection with front push buttons and keyboard hotkeys Supports Universal Host and Open Host Controller Interface (UHCI/OHCI)

Product Description

The 4-Port USB PS/2 KVM Switch Kit with Audio (TK-423K) provides control of 4 computers/servers with just one set of console controls. Manage 4 computers that have open VGA and PS/2 ports at the touch of a button with one set of PS/2 or USB keyboard and mouse, VGA monitor, microphone and speakers. No need for additional cabling, all required cables are included. Independent audio/mic and PC port selection provide additional flexibility. LED indicators show connection status and a buzzing sound confirms port switching. With Hot-Plug, Auto-Scan and Hot-Key operating features, this versatile device is the perfect choice for managing 4 computers/servers.

TRENDnet 4-Port USB/PS/2 KVM Switch Kit with Audio and Cables TK-423K (Black) Review

I bought this KVM switch from amazon.com three weeks ago and received it within two days via SuperSaver shipping. I use the switch with three computers running ubuntu linux 8.04, Windows XP, and Windows Vista and a wide screen monitor at 1680x1050. The switch works perfectly and does what it is advertised to do. I bought this model because I wanted a KVM switch that could work with both PS/2 keyboards and mice and USB keyboards and mice. This has the added advantage of working with audio, having both microphone and speaker connectors. In addition, unlike some KVM switchs, this one comes with a complete set of cables and it combines the monitor, keyboard, and mouse cables into a single cable for each computer, minimizing the number of cables on my desktop. And the monitor, keyboard, and mouse are hot pluggable, that is, you can unplug your keyboard or mouse or monitor and swap in a different one without shutting off the computers, as I did once, without worrying about it affecting the computers.

The hot key is programmable; the default is the Scroll Lock key but you can reprogram the hot key to any key. Press Scroll Lock twice and the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 to switch between four computers. Or you can use the four buttons on the front of the KVM switch. You can also continuously automatically cycle through all four computers and you can set the amount of time each computer is in focus while cycling. What if you are listening to music or talking to a friend on Skype off one computer and want to work on another computer? No problem, you can set the audio to focus on a single computer even when you are working on a different computer.

There are some drawbacks, but in my opinion, they are not very strong, and I'd still highly recommend this KVM switch. Here are the drawbacks so far. When you press the hot key the switch beeps, then when you press the number key to choose which computer to switch to the switch beeps again. The beep is a very low, quiet beep but it's a beep. I can't imagine why anyone would want beeps when switching computers unless maybe this KVM was made for blind people who might need a confirmation that the switch happened. Can anyone tell me why most high end KVM switches come with beeps that can't be turned off?

Secondly, I use a wireless optical mouse. The mouse and keyboard remain powered on at all times, even when all computers are turned off. I came in to my office after Labor Day weekend and found that my mouse and keyboard were still powered on. Not good for an item that runs on batteries so I have to unplug the KVM switch when I shut down the computers. I then discovered that I have to let the KVM switch "warm up" after I power it back on before I turn on any computers. Once, I powered it up and immediately turned on my computers and there was no video from any computer because the KVM switch wasn't "warmed up" yet.

Last, Trendnet advertises that the switch maintains a monitor signal at all times so you don't have to worry about the computers that are not in focus not recognizing a connected monitor. Unfortunately that signal is apparently for a generic monitor and I cannot start up all three computers simultaneously and expect them to come up with the correct resolution. The ubuntu and the Vista computers apparently have to sense the connected monitor as they are starting up or they will go into the wrong video resolution. The Vista machine additionally has to detect that there are speakers connected or it will disable the audio output. The XP machine is the only one that can consistantly start up and find the video resolution it was set to previously without being the computer in focus as it is starting up. The end result is I have to start up my computers one at a time; I start up my ubuntu computer, when the login screen appears I switch to the Vista computer, and when the login screen appears I start up the XP computer. Once all the computers are started there is no further problem. I did have one occurance of the ubuntu computer not being able to come back from energy saver mode and find the right resolution but that was a one-time occurance.

On the whole, I can strongly recommend the Trendnet TK-423. I'm happy with it and it does the job.

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