Customer Reviews

Cisco-Linksys PS2KVMSK ProConnect 2-Port Compact KVM Switch Kit

5 star:		(43)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I was put off by some of the negative reviews for the keyboard shortcut for this product but chose it because it was less expensive than other KVM systems and it came with cables.

I couldn't be happier. Unlike another review states, the <ctrl><ctrl> shortcut is documented in the instructions.

I looked for a KVM system because I didn't have enough room for 4 monitors. I run 2 computers and both have dual monitors (I use Matrox G450 video cards). I set up the KVM system to switch my center monitor between the 2000 and Me computer. My left monitor is the second Me monitor, the right the second 2000 monitor. I changed the desktop colors to make it clear which computer the center monitor was displaying.

I switch regularly by hitting the control key twice. Sometimes there is a delay of perhaps 1 second. The center screen goes black pops back with the other screen.

I loved the color-coded cables and did find the switch box to require two hands - one to hold the box steady and one to hit the switch. I used it to test on the first day and haven't used it since I memorized the double control key shortcut.

I know I used to use 2 mouses and Keyboards sharing 1 Monitor. If you are one of the serious "Joes" who has more than 1 Computer system, and has one of those old switch boxes for your keyboard, mouse, and monitor. Check this item out for grabs.

The "Linksys ProConnect 2-Port Compact KVM Switch Kit", a 2 port sharing interface with cables included. Yup, I sure did say "cables included". The truth to make things much simpler, it has support for your PS/2 Mouse and Keyboard, which means you don't lose power and control between switch overs.

And don't need to reach over to the switch to make it work, that's right! It has a hot key function, "LCtrl" x2. That's it! You can even put the box hidden or on top of 1 the Systems. Who cares! You'll never see it again once you've installed it. Pretty Cool huh!

This product package with "Ingenius" written all over it is a STEAL!

Overall I would say its a nice little switch that works very well. Its a good low budget KVM that will work for most home users who just happen to have 2 computers.

My gripes: The hotkey to switch between computers is not configurable. Because there is no software to set up this switch everything is hard wired. So hope you don't use the CTRL key for anything because if you hit it twice you switch computers. Personally this feature I could live without. The button on the switch is enough. I also noticed that since this key is essentially wired to the KVM to switch computers hitting it 1 time has a delay as the switch is looking for the double hit. This is really only a problem when playing games.

Switch does not correctly recognize my mouseman optical mouse. Windows only sees it as a 3 button wheel mouse. It is actually a 4 button mouse and when connected to the switch the 4th button now performs the same function as button 1. Again no software to configure so I am guessing I am stuck with this.

Tech support..well I haven't heard from them yet about this problem. My guess that there is no solution.

Good Points: Cheap, Easy to setup, comes with cables!, no external power supply, and works for most applications.

So I would say it gets 3/5, I would of given it 4/5 if tech support was more responsive. Compared to most other KVM switches you find out there its the best bang for your buck. Most others start at over $100. So if my gripes are not your problem and you don't have to email tech support..give it a 5.

UPDATE: I figured I should update this as I did finally get a resolution from tech support. Their only solution to any problem is basically remove power..try again. The KVM does not support any advanced mouse features such as more than 3 buttons. This is convirmed with tech support. Also I upgraded my keyboard and although most of the programable buttons work if I do the CTRL key switch too fast the KVM switch basically chokes and the keyboard goes dead. Solution..kill power and restart. Somewhat a pain ehh? And that was the answer with tech support. SO my review stands at 3 stars. If you have a cheap keyboard and mouse you should have no prolems. I have had it for almost a year and I do still use it so I just don't use the CTRL key to switch and got used to only using my 3 buttons.

I have only used the unit for a week, but so far I have been very impressed with it. It works well, and as another user mentioned, video quality is very good. My video degrades more from plugging into my Dell docking station than it does from the KVM. Switching between the two computers is easy ... just double click the control key.

However, there is one big complaint I have that knocks a star off. As another user mentioned, the KVM introduces a 2-second delay for both the control and shift keys. For most use, this isn't a problem. If you type control along with another character (as the control key is normally used), the keystroke is sent instantly. However, hitting the key and not hitting any other key causes the delay. Why is this a problem? Some applications use control and shift along with mouse clicks (Windows being one of them). This no longer works in a usable way (you must be very patient), making it difficult to select multiple files from a Windows file list. I have Caps Lock mapped to be a control key on my keyboard, so that gets around half of the problem ... the KVM lets the Caps Lock key go through instantly and Windows then interprets it as a control key. However, I don't have an alternative for the shift key.

For me, it would be nice if the KVM didn't muck with the keyboard and forced you to simply hit a button on the unit to swap between the computers (or at least an option to run in this mode).

I purchased this KVM switch about 3 months ago from Amazon and love it. I have a Win 95 and a dual boot Win 98/Red Hat Linux PC. I can use the switch with either OS without any problems. You can switch between PC's with a push of the button on the front of the KVM unit or with the Ctrl-Ctrl hot key, a very useful feature! I am running at 800x600 resolution and do not see any ghosting of the image. For the price I would highly recommend it. It comes with cables too! It is a good product at a great price. The only flaw I see is that it has an odd design with cables coming out of 3 sides of the unit, but it is under my table and I don't see it.

I use this switch with a 21" monitor, Microsoft Office Keyboard, and Microsoft Intellipoint mouse on one computer running Windows 2000 and another running Win98 and Red Hat 7.1. It has been running perfectly without losing any of the advanced features that the Microsoft peripherals offer on the Microsoft operating systems.

The inputs and outputs for the switch are all PS/2. I had to use USB to PS/2 adapters for both the keyboard and mouse to connect to the switch and they barely fit with the monitor plugged in (real estate is pretty tight on the unit). The kit also comes with two 4' cables, which are short; you'll almost HAVE to put your CPUs side by side in order to use it.

Installation is easy: just plug your peripherals into the switch, then run the cables to their respective units and you are up and running; no additional software installation is required.

Toggling between the two units is easy as well. Since the cables are short chances are the switch itself will have to be in an inconvenient location (like under your desk if you have two tower systems on the floor), so although there is a button on the front of the unit to activate the switch you'll probably use the hot key (left CTRL x 2 OR right CTRL x 2) more often than the hardware. This isn't the best choice of keys, but less of a killer for gamers than one may think (although the right CTRL key was used quite often as a "Fire" button in the days of "Doom", most first person shooter gamers use the left mouse button now). Nonetheless, if you are a hard core gamer it may be best to look elsewhere, as game developers often use the CTRL key in some capacity.

Overall, a great buy (I've seen other switches without cables that run for almost twice as much as this kit), and perfect for home users.

I love this gadget. I have a 21 inch Trinitron monitor, and 2 computers that I use for different purposes, and usually at the same time. This product allows me to share my monitor, keyboard, and mouse between the two computers. You can switch back and forth by press CTRL twice or push the button on the unit. It works flawlessly everytime!!! This is great, especially for people that drives to 2 systems at once (programmers, hardware designers, graphic artists, etc), and you don't want to spend another 500 or 600 dollars for an equally high quality monitor. Plus, it save a lot of desk space. What a cool product. I did opened the unit up, and it only has a very single PCB and couple of resistors and caps, but it very well designed. I measure the output of this unit (to the monitor, keyboard, and mouse), there is NO spikes of voltages during switching, so it won't confuse either one of your computers when you switch back and forth. Linksys definitely done a wonderful job.

I was using a manual switchbox and it really had a lot of ghosting problems. This took care of that. This introduced another problem however. The mouse that came with one of the systems that was hooked to the system. (HP Pavillion/Wheel Mouse) didn't work properly when connected throught the switch box. It worked fine under linux but on win98 it was pretty jumpy. I am using two mice (directly connected to the PCs) that fixed the problem. Not perfect but much better than the ghost effects. I run Win98 on one box and Redhat 7 on the other 1024x768 on both machines.

Ordered the Linksys KVM with some trepidation since the reviews were not all great. After using it for a couple of weeks, I have to admit it was a great investment.

It was easy to install the KVM, took me less than 10 mins to hook up both boxes. The wires are a little short but it was a relief to find them included with the switch. Made it that much easier to setup. To switch between the two computers I use the <Ctrl><Ctrl> hotkey, and it works like a charm.

One of the issues reported was a problem with the wheel mouse; I am glad that didn't hold true. I use a Microsoft Intellipoint Explorer mouse with 5 buttons (back and forward), and I am addicted to it. I was definitely going to return the Linksys if I couldn't get the mouse to work. Interestingly the problem never arose with either machine. I run Win NT on one and Windows 2000 on the other.

Definitely recommend this switch for someone who wants a cheap and hassle free solution to reducing desktop clutter.

I have problems using the Microsoft Optical Mouse with this KVM switch because it does not recognize the scrolling mouse. Using the switch, I was also unable to use the middle button (as a "Back" function for the IE browser) and the thumb button (as a "Forward" function). Furthermore, as I use the switch for a desktop and my Thinkpad, I was also advised by the KVM switch manual that sometimes there might be a conflict between the switch and a certain Thinkpad functions. To circumvent that, I was told to break off a specific pin off the connection.... not exactly my ideal scenario when I first purchased this kit. Incidentally, I have switched over to a basic mechanical KVM switch and all of the above functions work properly on that KVM switch box.