 |
| Date Reviewed: 05/24/2004 |
|
Strengths: Small and compact, professional quality build. Long cables. Works very well once set up properly.
Weaknesses: Takes a couple of reboots of your machines to get the switch to recognize both and start working properly.
Summary: Took a little longer than usual to set it up, even though I followed the directions to the word. Nonetheless after a couple of reboots, the switch started working. No problems so far. Switching is fast via hitting the Scroll Lock key twice and then keying in 1 or 2 for PC 1 or PC 2. I use it to switch between a Redhat Linux and a Windows XP machine, and so far everything is working very nicely. The switch is compatible with multiple operating systems which is also good (Windows, Linux, Sun Solaris, ...). If you have a USB mouse you can connect it to the switch via a USB to serial adapter and it will work also.
 100% of People (18/18) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
 There are no comments for this review. Post a comment.
|
|
| Date Reviewed: 06/24/2005 |
|
Strengths: Cheap, effective way to control two computers with one console.
Very compact size, built in 8 ft cables and ease of operation.
Weaknesses: none yet
Summary: This is an awesome product for the price.. Nice length on the cables and the high resolution support is a must have.
Setup and Operation
To say this device is easy to setup and use would be an understatement. After removing the unit from the clear bubble plastic packing all required is to connect one of the attached 8 foot cables to the back of each of your computers. The end of the cable has three molded plastic plugs; one DB15 pin SVGA plug and there are two PS/2 connectors. The DB15 pin SVGA connector hooks up to the 15 pin connector on your video card or the onboard video connector on the back of your computer. The two PS/2 connectors plug into the keyboard and mouse ports on the back of your computer, each one is colored coded to match the mouse (lime green) and keyboard (purple) this makes it easier to ensure you don't plug them into the wrong plugs. Once you have the two computers hooked up to the device you will connect the monitor, keyboard and mouse into the colored coded plugs in the front of the unit. There is no power adapter needed so you won't need to plug anything else in to make it work.
The operation of the device was so easy, unlike some of the other KVM switches that use a button on top of the KVM switch to switch between computers Belkin designed this switch to be operated by a simple key combination on your keyboard. It is as simple as hitting three keys in succession; Scroll Lock Scroll Lock Arrow Up key or Down Arrow to switch between the ports. You will know that you activated the switching when you hear a beep and then you can hit up or down arrow. Belkin included two LED indicators so you will know which one of the ports is currently active and these are located on top of the unit.
100% of People (5/5) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
There are no comments for this review. Post a comment.
|
|
| Date Reviewed: 04/14/2004 |
|
Strengths: The belkin KVM is a excellent 2 port KVM. Its stable during switch overs and a good value for the price.
Weaknesses: The bad part about this product is it tends to forget the mouse sometimes. The scroll wheel does not work well. And it some problems remote keyboard and mouse setups.
Summary: The system would be better with a manual switch over button vs. a keyboard shortcut, in the event of a keyboard lockup. If I had to do it again, I think the linksys is a better product. As the above mentioned weaknesses hurt the usefulness. But, its good for a budget minded person.
100% of People (2/2) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
There are no comments for this review. Post a comment.
|
|
| Date Reviewed: 04/11/2005 |
|
Strengths: Easy to use, great price
Weaknesses: NA
Summary: I was lucky to purchase this Switch for free after rebate. Only paid for shipping cost. This unit provides an affordable KVM solution that saves workspace while giving control of two PS/2 computers from one console. The unit supports high-quality video resolution. I am very satisify with how it works for me.
100% of People (1/1) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
There are no comments for this review. Post a comment.
|
|
| Date Reviewed: 08/29/2004 |
|
 The resetting was cause i think with the older PC ... Strengths: Simple but useful.
Weaknesses: Sometimes you need to reset the switch ang the PCs.
Summary: The resetting was cause i think with the older PC i got.
Very useful for me because my friends will let me fix their PCs. So will just switch back and forth. Sometimes need to download drivers from the Internet.
Always look for a better deal. Some retail stores will pricematch 110%.
100% of People (1/1) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
There are no comments for this review. Post a comment.
|
|
| Date Reviewed: 03/26/2005 |
|
I've just had it for about a month. I like its com ...
Strengths: Compact with built-in cables
Weaknesses: No manual switch; not very reliable
Summary: I've just had it for about a month. I like its compact design with built-in cables. It makes my desk look cleaner. However, it doesn't have a manual switch as my other KVMs have. Sometimes it's a hassle to use hot keys. It's not so reliable. I had to reboot several times in one instance.
83% of People (5/6) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
There are no comments for this review. Post a comment.
|
|
| Date Reviewed: 04/28/2004 |
|
Strengths: very compact, no extra wires to add, keyboard and mouse emulator solves the problem of missing keyboard/mouse at boot time, supports very high screen resolution and no adverse effect on video quality
Weaknesses: some times takes little longer to switch, few times the pc wouldn't recognize the keyboard or mouse
Summary: the ease of use of this product is a big plus, no messy switch to toggle, just use your keyboard to switch between 2 PCs
installed in 5 minutes
some times PC doesn't recognize the keyboard and mouse, just reboot and it works fine
83% of People (5/6) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
There are no comments for this review. Post a comment.
|
|
| Date Reviewed: 04/10/2004 |
|
Strengths: Does what it's supposed to. Saves me desktop space allowing the use of one monitor, keyboard, and mouse for 2 different computers.
Weaknesses: Key combination sometimes is contrary.
Summary: After I received the KVM switch, I had it up and running within 10 minutes with no problems. Instructions were adequate, in light of the basic simplicity of installation, simple plug ins. The only problem I had was getting the key combination just right. The instructions tell you to use; Scroll Lock--> (computer "ID")--> Scroll Lock. Computer ID is defined in the instructions as either one of the arrow keys or assigning each computer either number 1 or 2. In addition, you are supposed to hit the Scroll Lock key twice within 2 seconds. This didn't work for me, but I found that if I hit the computer ID key and held it down while quickly hitting the Scroll Lock key twice, it worked just fine.
57% of People (4/7) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
There are no comments for this review. Post a comment.
|
|
| Date Reviewed: 05/30/2005 |
|
This is a nice product to have for a short term so ...
Strengths: Easy to set up and switch inputs. Inexpensive. Main unit is compact.
Weaknesses: Cables are too long for my liking. Most users will have the PCs right next to each other, so a shorter length (1 M) would be better. Image quality is degraded.
Summary: This is a nice product to have for a short term solution. Overall, it's a well made product. However, the image quality of the monitor is degraded when using (possibly due to cable length) and you are limited to 2 buttons on the mouse. I can't fathom a situation where I would have 2 PCs 10 feet apart from each in other to utilize the cable length of this KVM.
50% of People (2/4) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
There are no comments for this review. Post a comment.
|
|
| Date Reviewed: 01/09/2005 |
|
 Put simply, this is a KVM that does not recognize ... Strengths: N/A
Weaknesses: hot key has never worked -- impossible to switch
Summary: Put simply, this is a KVM that does not recognize its only method of switching. The pre-determined hot-key of Scroll Lock can be hit any number of times without the KVM noticing and it is therefore impossible to switch between computers. Remember, n-port switches allow switching between n computers. Belkin has again falsely advertised a switch as more ports that it actually supports. A switch that cannot switch is a 1-port switch, and that is what I have. It is completely useless. And now I have to drive a half-hour back to the store to return this defective product. Many others in other forums have complained -- as I have with other Belkin switches -- that this product my work for a month or just after warranty before failing permanently and unequivocally. I am stunned Belkin remains in business.
50% of People (2/4) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
There are no comments for this review. Post a comment.
|
|
| Date Reviewed: 04/16/2004 |
|
Strengths: No extra box. All in one cable.
Weaknesses: Hot key switching. Sometimes keyboard might froze up.
Summary: I love this product. The best part is all the cables included (female cables are usually expensive to buy separate) and there are no switch boxes. Saves so much space and now I could get rid of the extra computer table and the Keyboard, Monitor and mouse and save a lot of space in my home office. An excellent buy for $23 that I paid.
50% of People (1/2) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
There are no comments for this review. Post a comment.
|
|
| Date Reviewed: 04/26/2004 |
|
This is a very small and easy to use KVM switch. I ...
Strengths: Built-in cable, small and easy to use.
Weaknesses: No hardware switch, not very stable.
Summary: This is a very small and easy to use KVM switch. It does exactly as advertised to do but not perfect. THe problem I have been having is after I switch back to windows from linux, my mouse's scroll function doesn't work anymore. Also, response seems slow when I'm using keyboard or mouse under Linux. It's just a ok product to me.
0% of People (0/2) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
There are no comments for this review. Post a comment.
|
|
| Date Reviewed: 03/12/2005 |
|
Strengths: built in cables.
Weaknesses: no beep on display switch. assumes complete control of scroll lock key.
Summary: 2005-03-12 17:07:48 i'm a long time user of KVM's at both work and home. despite the simplicity of their conceptual fuction they definately vary in frustration levels during use.
i'm using this one at my home office desktop for switching btwn my main linux desktop and the other machines i have "on the bench" for repairs. i had some hesitancy buying this one as i've had other bad experiences with belkin and it received several bad reviews, but i couldnt resist getting it for just the cost of S&H after rebates at pcconnections.com.
i have but only one complaint about this one: it doesnt beep when you hit the hot key (double scroll-lock). there are lights on the unit that flash to acknowledge the hot key was read and is now ready for the KVM port selection... but since i have mine mounted under my desk i kinda miss the beep that most other models make letting you know it received the hot key.
one thing to watch out for with KVM's is keyboard/mouse emulation. this one seems to do this fine. this is where the non-active computer on the KVM still thinks the keyboard and mouse are present... eventhough they're really routed to the other computer. some computers (or just some versions of M$ windows) lock up if they think the kybd/mouse were yanked on them.
again- this one documents it does kybd/mouse emulation- and i'll vouch for them it seems to work.
OH- one more thing: it disabled my scroll lock's use. now, i admit, in my decade+ of computing i've had rare occassion to use the scroll lock but all other KVM's i've used still toggled the "Scroll Lock" LED when pressed. with this unit it appears to have consumed completed use of the scroll lock for its own hot key use. i dont really mind, and wont miss my scroll lock key at all, but there's always a discomfort about something when it has these little idiocincracies. after all- there's a reason the hot key is set to _double_ scroll lock.
0% of People (0/1) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
There are no comments for this review. Post a comment.
|
|
| Date Reviewed: 07/25/2005 |
|
Strengths: Easy, no power supply required.
Weaknesses: No USB option for my printer.
Summary: This was SO easy I did it with no instructions at all and I did it in 5 minutes. It works well between my Dell and my IBM docking station. I work from home on a company provided laptop but hated switching it all on weekends. We use these at my company in training rooms and we've never had an issue with reliability.
There are no comments for this review. Post a comment.
|
|
| Date Reviewed: 05/22/2005 |
|
 Some distortion in high resolution eventhough it w ... Strengths: work as described.
Weaknesses: no button for switching PC.
Summary: Some distortion in high resolution eventhough it was in specification range.
No seperate button for switching pc. only though keyboard, ScrollLock twice + direction key, which is cumbersome. I had another KVM from linksys with button on it and simple keyboard shortcut ( ctrl twice)
Do the job what it supposed to do but less then my expectation.
There are no comments for this review. Post a comment.
|
|
|
Report this as 
