Customer Reviews

Aten Technology CS1734 4-Port USB KVM Switch

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I got this to replace a 2-port Trendnet KVM switch I had when I needed to add a third computer to the mix. I like that it allows you to hot-swap sound, keyboard and usb individually as needed. However, it doesn't work well with my cordless mouse (the keyboard is corded). When plugged into the mouse port on the unit, the mouse behaves extremely erratically (too fast to control, regardless of what setting I put it on in windows). A regular corded mouse worked fine. I tried updating the firmware on the ATEN unit, but it was already at the latest level. So I got around the problem by plugging the mouse receiver into one of the USB ports instead of the dedicated mouse port, and that works. However, now I can't just do a dedicated keyboard swap---I always have to do the USB as well, which so far hasn't been an issue but might for some.

I haven't yet attempted to call ATEN regarding this, since other reviews I'd read indicated I wouldn't be getting any useful assistance on such an issue, and I'd already gone thru all the configurations and just really don't want to mess with it anymore. Due to the trouble with the mouse it was a huge pain to get working, and I'm concerned that more fooling with it will only waste my time and possibly make it so that it doesn't even work as well as it does now.

It DOES work well though. I would probably get this again, but only after reviewing any other options that were available at that time.

BTW, it's a lot cleaner-looking of a setup than the Trendnet, which has bulky wires coming out from three of the four sides. The Trendnet also has a tendency to flake out and not swap or allow keyboard/mouse inputs until you remove all cords and re-plug it in. This is an intermittent occurence, sometimes happening a couple times a day, and other times going weeks without any problems. I haven't had any issues like this with the Aten unit, which I've been using for about 6 weeks now at home with three computers hooked up to it. The two-port Trendnet setup (which I still use at work) I've been using for about 7 months.

Overall, I much prefer the Aten unit, and except for issue with my cordless mouse, it works wonderfully.