IOGEAR 4-Port MiniView USB KVM Switch with Audio and Cables GCS634U

by Iogear

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 8.9 x 3.9 inches ; 2.5 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000F3VHV8
• Item model number: GCS634U
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (129 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #17 in Electronics > Computers & Add-Ons > External Components > KVM Switches
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 2, 2001

Product Description

From the manufacturer

Introducing the four port MiniView Micro USB KVM switch from IOGEAR, the simplest way to simultaneously run and share audio among four computers with a single USB keyboard, monitor and USB mouse.

This self-powered KVM switch features the unique USB sniffing technology for USB mouse and keyboard emulation to ensure smooth operation, as well as support for Plug-n-Play monitors and most wheel mice. Our patented VSE Video Signal Enhancement technology provides rich, 32-bit color at resolutions up to 2048 x 1536.

Another big plus is the MiniView capability to provide audio support, it allows you to share your multimedia speakers among the connected computers.

This switch also offers multi-platform support; it compatible with Windows and Mac computers as well as Sun Solaris workstations. IOGEAR delivered a huge breakthrough in KVM operation to Mac and Sun users by enabling functionality for the special keys on these systems. When using a PC keyboard, a special set of hot keys are designed to emulate the special keys on Mac and Sun machines.

The MiniView Micro USB KVM has two 6' long KVM cables molded-in, all you need to do is to plug it into your computers and you've got a complete KVM solution from IOGEAR. In addition, it has two other available ports to connect them to your computers for future expansion.

Features

• Control up to 4 computers from a single video, USB keyboard and USB mouse
• Expandable & extendable: two 6' molded-in cables, two detachable cables
• Full support for Mac, PC and Sun systems
• Supports Mac & Sun special keys
• Connect speakers to enjoy audio from any connected system
• Select system by tapping Hot Keys on keyboard
• Instant, error-free boot-up
• Plug-n-Play
• 2048 x 1536 video resolution support
• Requires no software
• Requires no external power

Product Description

Introducing the four port MiniView Micro USB KVM switch from IOGEAR the simplest way to simultaneously run and share audio among four computers with a single USB keyboard, monitor and USB mouse. This self-powered KVM switch features the unique USB sniffing technology for USB mouse and keyboard emulation to ensure smooth operation, as well as support for Plug-n-Play monitors and most wheel mice. Our patented VSE Video Signal Enhancement technology provides rich, 32-bit color at resolutions up to 2048 x 1536. Another big plus is the MiniView capability to provide audio support, it allows you to share your multimedia speakers among the connected computers.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Nice, quality switch but USB has its drawbacks, December 13, 2006

By 

Mikey94025 (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: IOGEAR 4-Port MiniView USB KVM Switch with Audio and Cables GCS634U (Personal Computers)

I liked the handsome unit, solid build quality, rubber non-stick base, etc. but I had problems using this switch with USB keyboards. In the end, I either used a PS2 keyboard or monkeyed around with PS2->USB converters to plug in a USB keyboard. I had no problems with my USB mouse.

But because this unit can only switch ports via the keyboard, it made it difficult to use a new USB keyboard that I liked (Logitech Dinovo Edge). Either the keyboard switching worked or the keyboard's driver worked, and I needed the driver to support the volume and touchpad controls of this fancy keyboard. So in the end, I had to buy a simpler USB switch that had a physical button to switch ports (and found that the other switch, the Belkin Flip, even supported the fancy USB keyboard drivers *and* keyboard switching).

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing for the cost, July 1, 2007

By 

Joseph Sacher "Joe Sacher" (Indianapolis, IN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: IOGEAR 4-Port MiniView USB KVM Switch with Audio and Cables GCS634U (Personal Computers)

I didn't think that I would find a USB AKVM for under $150. I had planning on getting an old PS/2 style and use a PS/2 to USB adaptor for the computers with only USB. I initially found this on newegg, but with Amazon Prime, the total price was cheaper here (no shipping).

I have it setup with a wired USB keyboard and Microsoft Optical USB mouse. I'm connection to a homebuilt PC (Pent 4) with Windows XP, Homebuild PC running Ubuntu Linux for MythTV, Dell 520N with Ubuntu (main development box), and older Dell laptop running Windows 2003 Server as a domain controller.

Every time I switch everything works. I'm using a second monitor with the WinXP and 520N boxes, switching manually with the monitors DVI/RGB switch.

The problems initially ran into were setting it up to auto switch at 1 second (Scroll Lock Scroll Lock 1 A) when trying to switch audio only. You need to switch to the PC with the audio and then ScrLock ScrLock PC# K to switch everything BUT the audio over. I finally realized that space bar gets out of weird modes. So if you have a problem, hit space bar first.

Don't know how else to say it. I love this thing. Get a fairly modern keyboard and mouse (not wireless) and you won't have a problem.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best I've used, December 14, 2006

By 

ecto - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: IOGEAR 4-Port MiniView USB KVM Switch with Audio and Cables GCS634U (Personal Computers)

I've been using this kvm for about 6 months now. I use it with two windows desktops, a laptop, and a linux box. I have a usb keyboard and mouse.

This unit has worked almost flawlessly for me. No lockups, fast switching. The only issue I've had is that the display has to be switched to my laptop during boot-up or my laptop won't recognize it. Not a big deal.

I've used 4 or 5 other kvm's before, and they've all had quirks. This one works the best of any of them, by far.

Followup: I bought a second one of these for a friend and several of its ports had problems -- they would drop some keyboard entries and generate multiples of others (lllk thssssssss). I exchanged it as defective and the replacement works fine.