website stat

Looking for a KVM switch

I’m looking for a KVM switch. For those who don’t know, it’s a little peripheral that allows you to have one keyboard, mouse and monitor for more than one computer.

While I was waiting for a D-Link that never arrived, I lost my patience and bought the first one I found: Bandridge Mini USB KVM Switch. It sucks. A lot. It doesn’t work with my beautiful Apple keyboard, it only detects the keyboard after a full reboot (meaning that I cannot enter the BIOS nor choose an entry on GRUB), etc, etc..

Bottom line: I’m keen on a decent KVM switch that has USB plugs (preferentially in and out since I only use USB keyboards/mouses), works straightforward with GNU/Linux, Mac OS X and (yes, I need it too) Windows, works with *any* optical keyboard/mouse and starts working immediatly after turning on the PC/Mac. If you have an advise one, please let me know. Don’t be shy :-) Thanks

P.S. - Also posting the place where to buy would be nice.
P.S. 2 - That D-Links seems nice but it’s hard to find it in Portugal. Any comments regarding it?


5 Responses to “Looking for a KVM switch”

Feed for this Entry
  1. Daniel Fonseca
    Published at December 29th, 2005 at 2:11 am

    Na Dlink Shop:
    http://www.dlink.com/redirectorDlinkShop.asp?supportLink=dlinkshop&SKU=2591359
    59.99 dolares + portes

    Se es do Porto, podes poupar nos portes se o quiseres vir ca buscar `a empresa. Mail me for more.
    DKVM-2U por pouco mais que 40 euros e ja inclui os cabos. Existe em stock.

  2. Jose Mocito
    Published at January 3rd, 2006 at 1:06 am

    Conseguiste arranjar o switch da DLink? Tambem procuro um mas nao encontro nenhum sitio em portugal de onde mandar vir….

  3. mlopes
    Published at January 3rd, 2006 at 2:48 am

    Não consegui arranjar o modelo que pretendia: DKVM-2U apenas com portas USB. Lá fora arranja-se, mas só me arrisco a encomendar se tiver a certeza absoluta que funciona correctamente.

  4. Milton
    Published at May 12th, 2006 at 10:35 pm

    Being a monolingual American, I have no idea if one or more of the comments above solved your problem. But I can tell you that I broke down and bought an AirLink 101 2-port Mini USB KVM switch with audio yesterday. At this point, it appears to be working wonderfully. My only complaint is that I haven’t found a keyboard shortcut that will switch, so I have to use the hardware button.

  5. mlopes
    Published at May 12th, 2006 at 10:38 pm

    Dear Milton,

    Regarding the language of the previous comments, it’s hard to ask everyone to write in English despite the fact the blog itself is written in English.

    Anyway, I bought a Dlink DKVM and it works really great except for the same problem as you have, switching. I have to use the hardware button too. Apart from that, everything works just great.