What do You use for a KVM Switch?
Add to iTunes | Add to YouTube | Add to Google | RSS Feed
Let’s say that you have a PC, but you don’t have a monitor, keyboard or mouse plugged into it. However, you do have a notebook computer sitting there with Windows on it, as well. You could use that notebook to run the PC with a KVM switch!
Not only are you saving energy by not running another monitor, you’re also saving space by not having another keyboard and mouse. Using a KVM switch is highly recommended for better productivity. You can use one keyboard, one mouse and one monitor for two different machines! I don’t think there’s an easier way to be efficient.
This is ideal for people who own a laptop and an older desktop PC and wish to keep using both for various functions or applications. The KVM features an on-screen toolbar with multiple functions such as file transfer, desktop image scaling and others. The built-in file transfer utility lets the user transfer files, presentations, business information and create backup copies between both computers or from external USB storage devices.
What’s interesting about this particular KVM is that it has an extra USB port built in. That allows you to plug in an external hard drive if you should need to! This is easy to use, and will allow you a ton of new-found freedom when managing your life. Keep and transfer files much faster using the IOGear Laptop KVM. All you need is open USB ports and Windows PCs and you’re ready to roll.
- Revlon 1875 Watt Full Size Hair Dryer – Chrome
- Cables To Go – 18454 – Vented Cantilevered Shelf Black 12in
- 16PORT KVM Switch 1U Rackmount with 17IN LCD Console/drawer
- Cables To Go 41062 Two Line Telephone Splitter L1 + L2
- 4in BLACK CABLE TIES 100PK
- Cables To Go CASE MOD METAL CUTTING ( 29524 )
- Belkinmponents 2-port Kvm Switch With Audio & Built-inusb Ea – Model 702008
- StarTech.com High Flow Mesh Air Filter system fan filter ( FANFILTER8M )
- TRENDnet TK-209K 2-Port USB KVM Switch Kit with Audio (Includes 2x KVM Cables)
- Cables To Go – 40019 – Optical To Coaxial Digital Audio Converter
- TRENDnet TK-207K Version v1.2R 2-Port USB KVM Switch Kit Includes 2x KVM Cables
- 6ft Value Series Bi-Directional S-Video + 3.5mm Audio to RCA Audio/Video Cable
- APC KVM PS/2 Server Module – KVM extender – external
- LevelOne ViewCon KVM-0306 – KVM / audio switch – PS/2 – 3 ports – 1 local user external
- Cables to Go DC Power/Charger Cable – Power adapter – car – 12 V
- Gefen KS-116 – KVM switch – PS/2 – 16 ports – 1 local user – rack-mountable – stackable
- Gefen KS-102 – KVM switch – 2 ports – 1 local user external
- Web Sites and Shoppping Carts For Your KVM Switches Online Business
- The Guerilla Marketing, Building Effective Lead Capture Web Pages, Affiliate Marketing for KVM Switches Businesses
- A better KVM choice.(REMOTE MONITORING)(keyboard/video/mouse switches)(Comtech EF Data): An article from: Communications News
- 6′ Velocity 3.5MM Extension
- 1.5′ Sonicwave Digital Audio
- HP ENT MANAGEMENT SP1 HOST LTU ( T1002A )
- HP COMMAND VIEW SDM1 HOST LTU ( T1001A )
- IBM FASTT100 VMWARE HOST KIT ( 25R0062 )
- 2GB Kodak USB Flash Drive
- 2MM SOLDER WICK
- Cablestogo 38022 Helping Hands Grip With Magnifier
Want to embed this video on your own site, blog, or forum? Use this code or download the video:
Private Domain Registration from GoDaddy is a smart thing to do. When you register a domain, your contact information is immediately made available to anyone who wants to see it. Plus, as a listener of The Chris Pirillo Show, enter code CHRIS2 when you check out, and save an additional $5 off any order of $30 or more. Get your piece of the internet at GoDaddy!
8 Comments
Wade Watson
April 5th, 2009
at 6:26pm
I use an older Belkin 4-way KVM right now while transitioning to a newer PC. It’s pre-USB, but works OK except after switching, one of my PCs looses mouse wheel capability. I suppose many of these things have their quirks.
Tomek Chrzczonowicz
April 5th, 2009
at 6:57pm
KVM Switch compared to ssh,synergy,vnc.
-you have to actually connect those two computers with a fairly short usb cable (low range, you waste two usb ports)
-It’s Windows-only
-You can access only one other computer with it at a time
-Its a cable and it’s not even retractable = clutter
-It’s hardware so…well, it might break.
-The driver’s proprietary. Might as well double as a keylogger and you can’t find out. ;-)
-You have to pay for it where the other solutions are free
-You could always connect the external drive directly to any of these two pcs and just share it over the network without resorting to extra applications.
+The company behind it claims to plant a tree for each one of these you buy.
David
April 6th, 2009
at 5:19am
Does this work with non-windows OS’s like OS X or Linux? If not is there a similar devices that works with Linux or OS X?
1fastbullet
April 6th, 2009
at 8:26am
I’m using and completely happy with this Rosewill RKV-2V switch I bought from the Egg. It was priced right and handles running my Linux and my Windows machines to the Flatron, Ergo 4000 and Logitech wireless without a hitch.
This KVM was, at the time I bought it, on sale. At the present time I believe it sells for $20.
Rick
April 6th, 2009
at 11:54am
All well and good, but today’s larger monitors have outpaced a KVM’s ability to handle the higher native resolutions, i.e., 1920×1200, for instance. I’d love to find a KVM capable of handling that resolution!
David
April 6th, 2009
at 7:07pm
Oh, and by the way, most ATen KVMs work with Linux and Mac OSX with Mac keyboard emulations built-in.
rex
April 7th, 2009
at 12:52pm
I think there’s no better KVM than Multiplicity – no hardware at all! Well, at least it would be, if it worked all the time ;)
Robert
April 16th, 2009
at 6:04pm
I’ve never used one, but I just bought a refurbished pc on which I will install Fedora 10 or another Linux distro. Then, I’ll be able to use the same monitor for both pc’s. I guess, though, I’ll need to ascertain that the KVM is operable with Linux, since not all of them mention this in their specs.
Robert