Suggestions for a KVM switch

[coleslaw]

I have multiple computers now, and only one monitor. I have two keyboards and several mice, but I'm still interested in finding a reliable KVM switch because I am cheap and don't have the money nor the room for a second monitor. While parusing various online retailers, it appears that Linksys and Belkin are two of the more prominent manufacturers of these devices.

Do any of you have experience with KVM switches? If so, for the price/performance ratios, do you recommend mechanical or electronic switches? I run at fairly high resolutions (1280x1024 and occaisonally 1600x1200), so I need something that will not affect quality or performance at those resolutions.

Also, if any of you are looking to sell yours, or if you know of any hot deals, let me know! :D

[hapoo]

as a matter of fact i was also looking for one yesterday. Definately go for an electronic switch. I found the 2 computer Dlink model on pricewatch for 45 bucks, but i'm not sure what to get either... The cables are almost more expensive than switch itself.

[mcdanelz]

I have some experience with apex switches. They are very nice but are a bit pricey and more oriented for enterprise solutions. They have a nice little GUI that comes up to select the machine and its all done from the keyboard, I don't know if this is the way the other electric switches work? But definatly stay away from the mechanical switch boxes you run into problems with high resolutions and refresh rates and the knob tend to wear and cause problems with not quite switching to the next machine.

[coleslaw]

Some of the models that I was looking at came with the cables already. You just needed to supply the the cable from the 2 computers. Yeah, I was thinking that an electronic switch was the way to go, but I wasn't sure if it was worth the steeper price. I could probably get a super cheap 17" monitor for like $150, but really don't have space for it on my desk, unless of course I move my entire workstation to a folding table. I really like this desk, though, and hapoo, I think you do too...

I was also thinking of just using VNC, which is still a possibility. It's free, and it works decently most of them time. I use it at work all the time to access my PC desktop from a Solaris workstation. Quite a handy tool.

[yippiekiyeh]

Okay currently I have a iogear KVM usb switch. The reason I got it was for the usb support. It is pricey and I would suggest that you wait for the KVM usb2 switch. The most annoying thing about the version I have usb, is the lag time between switching. Since I use a usb keyboard and mouse the lag time is about 5 secs switching between computers. The usb2 does not have this lag time, and is something that I would definitely want to get!

Hope this helps...

[bugaboo]

If you want to run such high resolutions I recommend Cybex (now Avocent)KVM switches. I have 8-port ones. I am going to get a 4-port. It's about $165 and cable sets are $20. I also tried and have the Linksys 2-port and Belkin 4-port. They suck at high resolutions and the don't gor that high.

[hapoo]

Originally posted by coleslaw

I was also thinking of just using VNC, which is still a possibility. It's free, and it works decently most of them time. I use it at work all the time to access my PC desktop from a Solaris workstation. Quite a handy tool.

lol
been there tried that... pain in the ass. I just want a switch, i've had my linux box connected to my main KVM for a couple days and after upgrading the system i realize how usable it really is, it would be a shame not to be able to use this thing.