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Isn't the fact that the image on the monitor changes to the other PC enough confirmation that the PC has been switched. Every time I switch to a different PC the thing makes a pair of loud chirps. If you have plenty of space and a tolerance for loud and annoying electronics, then the Belkin 4-Port KVM is for you.This thing is like a kid in a movie theater: Noisy. Another helpful thing the tech said was that they have another model where the sound can be disabled by jumping through some hoops, but this KVM costs $70 more than the one I just bought.Aside from the top and bottom of the unit, cables stick out from all sides of this thing and it looks like a giant unwieldy spider ready to ensnare anything that comes within its reach. I contacted their technical support on how to disable this nonsense and was told that it can't be disabled and that some people actually like this audio confirmation. My thinking is, if some people like it why does everyone have to live with it. I guess the alternative would be to have all of the cables stick out one side but then it would be unbalanced. I'm returning this thing immediately due to the noisy operation, partially because I hate the noise and partially because I hate supporting bad design.
I recently purchased this KVM to replace a 2 port device with integrated (non detachable) cables where one of the video signals had broken causing color issues. It would be much better if the cables all exited from the rear. After spending the time to connect 3 machines I discovered that the mouse wouldn't work with any of the computers, yet the mouse connected directly would work with all 3 computers. A quick call to Belkin and I was told this is an OLD product that doesn't support mice with USB --> PS/2 converters (which is >90% of mice sold in the last 18 months).The mechanical design is not ideal with connectors on all four sides - this creates placement issues and leads to it consuming a large portion of your desk area. In addition there is an annoying (and uncontrollable) beep every time a switch is made - this should really be configurable as some people love this - others have a problem with it and have resorted to opening the device to defeat the speaker.I wouldn't have been so frustrated had the product identified it ONLY works with old defunct mice / keyboards. Sorry Belkin but I will be returning this device and looking for an up to date alternate from one of your competitors.
Good quality cables are included, and fasten tightly for reliable service. I don't need it with my Dell servers, but if I ever extend the cables its nice to know I can kick in some extra juice if need be. And channels may also be switched from the keyboard by pressing Scroll Lock twice in quick succession, followed by the up or down arrow key. My other KVM systems, at another location, are commercial grade, with OSD. The top of the cable interface unit has a selector button for manual switching, a very nice debugging feature and convenient when working away from the keyboard. In addition, the unit chirps (beeps) each time it switches channels. This is certainly an excellent, basic consumer KVM system. Kinda.:) Plus the cable sets are not joined, though not a big deal.
I've deployed this KVM as follows: 4 dell computers and a Microsoft Digital Media Pro USB/PS2 compatible keyboard (model 1031) and Microsoft USB/PS2 compatible Optical Mouse (using the USB-PS2 (DIN) converter plugs supplied with those devices). Taking away from a 5-star rating is the lack of audio switching with this unit, but with 2 MP3 players and 3 multimedia laptops do I really care. All of the keyboard's funky multimedia knobs and buttons work fine.A good, solid KVM that won't drive you nuts, at a price so cheap I was scared to buy it. These nice features make using this KVM system a transparent activity, as it should be. Detachable cables mean that breaking a cable pin doesn't lunch your entire KVM system as with other consumer KVM systems that are sealed in epoxy. I wondered if I could live without it, but I needed a KVM solution ASAP so raided the CompUSA.
The unit lets you know that it has received your Scroll Lock sequence and is now ready for your arrow key selection by emitting a chirp(beep). BTW, this unit can be powered if your particular installation requires it, using an optional brick. This was to be a temporary solution, but worked out so well that I have no plans to replace it. Thanks Belkin.
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