Customer Reviews

Cisco-Linksys KVM2KIT ProConnect Integrated KVM 2-Port Switch

5 star:		(44)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(20)

 

 

I have used many KVMs in server rooms. These industrial-strength boxes are big and expensive because they're designed to allow you to control large number of servers.

Another feature of server-oriented KVMs is that they give an audible "chirp" when you switch to a new machine. That's helpful in noisy server rooms when you are switching between servers that have desktops that look mostly alike.

But when I wanted a KVM to switch between 2 PCs at home, I wanted something small, inexpensive, and quiet (I most definitely don't want a loud "chirp!" waking up my kids at night).

This Linksys is just about perfect. Because it has cables molded in, it is very compact. It switches silently (no chirp), and the video signal is clear and free of jitter or noise even at high res (1280x1024) with high refresh rates.

Another customer said that he had some compatibility problems, but I haven't had any. I use a Microsoft optical USB mouse with a PS2 converter (it's a little adapter plug that came with the mouse) and I have used the KVM with a normal Dell keyboard, and with my current ultra-ergonomic Kinesis Classic keyboard.

I would have given this unit 5 stars, except that I think the cables would benefit from being just a bit longer. As it is, the unit works well, has excellent compatibility, and is an incredible value.

I am a computer engineer and needed a good quality KVM
switch to connect two computers to one monitor. This small
switch comes with built in cables and is well built.
I connected both a windows box and unix workstation to
the same monitor with no problems. The average user shouldn't
have any problems either since this product is not operating
system dependent. This is a wonderful product that I would
highly recommend.

Perfect! Well, I was worried about monitor distortion as others have mentioned. Got it anyway and one PC was perfect, the other PC (that had a temporary crappy old PCI video card) actually DID have distortion. NOT the fault of the KVM switch. For kicks, I installed a different video DRIVER for that card, and for some reason it FIXED the problem. Then I put an AGP card back into the 2nd system, and it also worked perfectly.

Factors that affect Video Signal: VGA cable too long; Cable extensions, weak video CARD signal (possibly from unreliable POWER supply in the computer), Video cables too close to other cables (power cords and such). If you experience distortion, it would probably happen with ANY KVM switch you buy. After all, you ARE extending your video cable. Worked great with CORDLESS KEYBOARD AND MOUSE.
WHAT WOULD MAKE IT BETTER: Heavier gauge shielded video cables, Ferrite bead at the end of each cable... Of course this would also make it and more expensive and bigger.
This is a good value.

This has worked perfectly, but the only problem is that there isnt room for a usb to ps2 adapter.

I tried two of these thinking the first was defective, but was unable to switch between PCs with the replacement also. If I booted only one PC it worked, if I booted both, only the PC that booted first worked regardless of which side of the switch it was connected to. I was very disappointed.

Well I was a little nervous after reading some of these reviews. However, the $10 Amazon rebate made it irresistible. I used super saver shipping and got it in a week(looks like they used UPS next day deliver). I followed the simple installation instructions and guess what...it didn't work. The keyboard seemed to be locked up. It wouldn't type and the leds for "Num Lock, Caps Lock & Scroll Lock" were solidly lit. I powered down PC1 and contemplated drinking a refreshing beverage. A little voice told me to try it again. I hit "scroll lock" twice and low and behold it worked! Once I powered PC1 back up, switching between the computers worked fine. I guess I just needed to restart PC1 to reset the keyboard. If restarting PC1 doesn't work for you try restarting PC2 also.

I did have another problem with PC2. PC2's display(photos, etc.) was very low quality. After noodling around I realized that the monitor designation for PC2 was "unknown". I changed that setting(Display Properties>Settings>Advanced) to the specific monitor I was using(Gateway), increased the resolution & color quality and now the graphics and photos from PC2 look fine. I didn't have to mess with the monitor setting for PC1. It is set on "generic television", 75 hertz refresh rate and looked fine. So, the Linksys KVM switch is working great. Switches between computer just fine and I am very happy. It is quality made and should stand up to normal wear & tear just fine.

The specifics: Both computers are older IBM compatibles and don't have any fancy wireless gizmos. PC1 is a PIII Gateway running XP. It's display settings are 800x600 at 32bit color quality. PC2 is a specially built PII running W98. It's display settings are 800x600 at 24bit color quality. The keyboard is a real basic Genius model & the mouse is a standard two button, scroll wheel type that came with the Gateway. I wasn't brave enough to try a newer mouse.

My recommendations are to read the reviews and do some research. If you have fancy wireless gizmos or need a high resolution another brand may work better. I looked at Belkin, IOGear, TRENDnet and Linksys. I went with Linksys because I have a older, simpler setup, it looked like a quality item and because it was the cheapest at the time.

I purchased two of these switches for my employer. We use them to switch between a computer on are network, and a computer set up for a wireless internet connection. Both have performed very well. I think if your using this item to switch between two pcs, not a pc and a laptop, you will have no problems.

I shook off some of the negative comments below and bought one for myself. I have used it between a Dell XP Pro and a Win98 clone, as well as a Dell Linux server and another Win98 clone. In both circumstances the switch performed flawlessly. I have read generic problems with KVM's and mouse/monitor problems and it seems to be either plug and play getting in the way or cheap monitor-itis! In my case, this thing works flawlessly. Recommended. And what else would you expect from Linksys? I love their networking stuff too (especially the EFSP42!)

I've had this 2-port KVM switch for a couple years and had zero problems. I've bought a couple other 2-port KVM switches and found found their hot-key sequences to be more cumbersome. With the Linksys the sequence is very simple: [Scroll Lock] [Scroll Lock] toggles from one port to the other. My wife and kids can do it. On a couple other 2-port KVM's I have to give an escape sequence AND specify whether I want to go to port 1 or port 2. That makes sense in a 4-port environment, but is a darn nuisance in a simple 2-port KVM.

I tried to check packages on the other switches for the hot-key sequences, but they were not listed. I didn't discover until I opened the package and read the instructions that there wasn't a simple toggle like on the Linksys.

I was extremely surprised at how poor this KVM performed in my simple home setup. I have 2 ps2 machines (XP, RedHat9). I bought this and had to return it in one week because of the problems I had. First, I could never get any of my mice (Microsoft Optical Intellimouse, Microsoft Wheelmouse, and Logitech mouse) to be recognized. So, I just used the monitor and keyboard functionality for 7 days. While the switching between machines worked as advertised, I had keyboard problems. The KVM caused typed characters to be missed by the computer or a single keystroke would end up being recognized as 2 or 3 strokes of the same letter by the machine. My only option to get any work done was to slow my typing down significantly. I would not recommend this product and recommend users to pay the extra [money] for the Belkin 2-port KVM Switch (cables included but not built in unit).