Customer Reviews

Belkin F1U200V 4-Port USB Switch

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I wanted to share one printer with three computers. I was initially looking for an automatic print sharing device, but I found that the inexpensive ones are for just two computers. When you look for a device for three or more computers, then the price goes up. I didn't want to spend much money on it. I found this Belkin 4-port USB switch to be a simple, but very effective solution.
The device has a soft-touch switch on the front, and two light indicators at each side of the switch for a total of four. Those lights when illuminated show the port number active, i.e., the first one shows "1", the second shows "2", etc., so a quick look at it tells which port is active. Every time you press the switch it changes to the next port in a continuous loop: 1 -> 2 -> 3 -> 4 -> 1 -> 2, etc.
The device uses the power provided by the USB ports from the computers, so no external power adapter is needed. Installation is extremely simple and easy. It took me about two minutes to run the USB cables from three computers to the switch, and then from the switch to the printer. You turn on any one (or more of the computers), then the printer (or viceversa) and you're ready to print. What could be easier than that?
This device works great for me, because even there are three (and sometimes four) computers, it is only one user (me) and ocassionally a second user (my daughter). Now, if you have only one printer for several people, and you are trying to share that printer between three, or more people, then I would recommend to spend a bit more money and get an automatic sharing device to avoid manually switching.
In regards to software, since it works from the USB ports, no drivers or anything else is necessary to install. Just connect it and it will work. It is also "OS blind", meaning you can connect a mix of Linux, Mac, and/or Windows computers, and it works. Simple as that. Belkin F1U200V 4-Port USB Switch

USB switch works for my multiple computers to connect to the printer. Included with the switch is a 5 foot USB cable.

just what I was looking for. I am able to connect 2 computers to 1 printer. We each can print at the push of a button. We could connect 2 more computers if needed since there are 4 ports. Works great!

The product claim was that it would work with any printer - not true - when I connected it to two computers and a Canon multifunction printer, the computers would not recognize the printer. Belkin's service said that they had never tried it with a multifunction printers - they must live in another planet. I returned it and wound up loosing $20 in shipping. I bought an automatic IOGEAR GUB211 and it is working well.

Tried to share my printer with my XP (older) system and my (newer) Vista system. No matter what I tried, where I went on the web for info (manufacture, MS Vista, and blogs; Vista system failed to recognize (error). I gave up, gave unit to Goodwill, and I plug/unplug printer as needed.

The switch is great for some peripherals, but simply doesn't work with others, such as my Brother HL-2140 laser printer. There's no up front warning that the switch is not compatible with all peripherals and since it's a passive device you wouldn't expect any problems. Unfortunately, you won't know if the switch works for you until you install it. To make matters worse, there is no useful documentation to go with the switch and no useful troubleshooting help.

After one month, the switch stopped working. Prior to that, it was easy to install, easy to use and I loved it.

I have used this device to share a single function printer with great results. The problem is it does not work with multi-function machines. The device will not be recognized.

I hooked up this device (Which surprisingly didn't need a power cord) to my Imac and Dell PC. It works fantastic! (And instantly) I can print from either computer with the press of a button. You can hook up to 4 computers to share one device (I am sharing a printer) I highly recommend this product if you are trying to do what I did!

I bought one like this from a different manufacture and that one never worked at all! POS! But this Belkin works great! I use it to share a wireless mouse and keyboard between two computers running WIndows 7 Ultimate and an Xbox 360. Everything works flawlessly. I'm not sure why people say things about the delay between switching. It is caused because your OS has to reactive the USB device as if it were being plugged in and removed like normal. So there is no way to stop the delay. Very happy with this product.