IOGEAR GCS102U - MiniViewTM USB KVMP Kit with Cables for MAC and PC
From IOGEAR
With increased data bandwidth, true Plug-n-Play compatability and hot-swappability, USB has become the standard in low-mid speed peripheral communication. With this in mind, we developed the new MiniView KVMP switches with USB peripheral-sharing capability. Use the MiniView with a monitor, USB keyboard, USB mouse and two other USB devices - any USB devices. If you need to use more USB devices, connect a USB hub to increase the number of shared ports. With IOGEARs USB MiniView, peripheral sharing has never been easier.
- Brand: Iogear
- Model: GCS102U
- Platform: Windows
- Format: CD
- Original language: English
- Number of items: 1
- Dimensions: 2.00" h x 4.00" w x 4.00" l, 2.30 pounds
Great for Mac and PC Sharing
I bought this KVM a few weeks ago after scouring the web for USB KVM boxes. This was one of the few out there that qualified. The reason I needed a USB switch was for my wife's computer, which is an Apple Power Mac G4. The other computer hooked up to it is a clone Pentium 3 system. So far, we have not had any problems with the unit. In general, we tend to put the Apple in sleep mode when we shut in down rather then power it off altogether. When we switch back to the Apple after using the PC for a while, the Apple automatically turns on without having to wake it up. On the PC side, I am running Windows XP, and I normally shut it down in hibernation mode. Switching from the Apple to the PC, all I have to do is hit the power button, and I'm up and running with both the mouse and keyboard completely functional.
One side note - I am using the Macintosh USB keyboard that came with the Power Mac, and the USB mouse is a Microsoft Optical. So far, both of these devices have worked great between the two computers. Also, we have an HP DeskJet printer which we share between the two computers, and I plugged the printer into one of the two USB slots that are on the front of the KVM. So far, it's worked great.
Other then it being PC and MAC friendly, this is a great system if only for the fact that it comes complete with everything you need to set it up - no need to go out and buy more cables. The only drawback I could see is that you are limited to sharing the KVM between only two computers. But if what you are looking for is a good (and inexpensive) way to share one keyboard, mouse, and monitor with two computers (whether it is a MAC or PC), then this would be a sound solution for you.
Iogear 2 Port USB KVM Switch
I do like the Iogear KVM switch as it is an upgrade from the simpler switch I had before. The original only controlled the keyboard, mouse, and monitor. The new one controls those three, plus all USBs I have hooked up to it, from one computer to the other, including the printer.
The only three "setbacks" I have had with this switch is that it has to sit on my desktop because you have to press a button on the switch to change from one computer to the other. I would prefer the hot key (scroll lock) switch on my keyboard like my older model had. Second, the printer will stop printing if you switch computers while the printing job is still happening. I would like to see some type of a continuation set up that would allow the printer to finish the current job. Third, the USB ports are not 2.0 and therefore a little slow to recognize the switch. There is a unit that has all 2.0, but is 2 or 3 times more expesnive than this model. The cost difference is not worth it for a few seconds of lag time on the switch.
Works perfectly for enhanced keyboards.
I had another KVM that uses emulation to keep the system believing that there is always a connection, but when I upgraded to an enhanced keyboard, the enhancements wouldn't work. This switch doesn't use emulation, and all of the enhanced features now work well. I use my primary w/s for gaming and my Windows 2003 Server (x64 edition) is the other PC connected to this KVM, and this switch doesn't cause any issues.
