Tripp Lite B006-VU4-R 4-Port Desktop KVM Switch (USB)

With laptops and computers moving to USB keyboard and mouse, older KVM with PS2 interfaces are inconvenient. This lets you plug in your USB mouse and keyboard, and has a single USB cable per target computer (up to 4). It works well. I have been using for work for several months with 4 targets and the switching can be done by direct selection of a button. I do not have any problem booting when the device is not selected. Great if you need to support several laptops.

The unit feels sturdy and is very well built. Worked flawlessly after installation. You will need to purchase cables as this unit doesn't come with them.

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I've used KVMs for more than a decade, and overall they seem to have become less dependable with each new model and operating system. USB-compatible KVMs seem to be significantly different from the PS2 variety in that the KVM itself is sometimes visible to the OS. I previously had a 4-port Trendnet USB KVM that was a pain in the behind... if you wanted to use the hot-key commands you had to load its drivers on each computer (forget about compatibility with Linux KDE4). So each hot-hey had to be received by the computer and interpreted by the driver; the computer would then send a command to the KVM to switch. You can guess how often that actually worked, especially when a computer came out of hibernation (which often required unplugging and replugging the KVM before the keyboard and mouse would be recognized again. THIS KVM (the Trip-Lite) admittedly costs more than the Trendnet, but it never requires replugging, and it intercepts and interprets the hotkeys itself. No drivers required, all OS compatible. That said, it does sometimes want to have the keyboard replugged into the KVM for the hot-keys to work, but that may be my keyboard's fault (it's an old Northgate with a PS2/USB converter)... however, the keyboard continues to do its job without replugging. The Trip-Lite comes with its own power supply, so it doesn't forget where it is if all the attached computers are off or hibernating. The Trip-Lite also has a desk-compatible form factor with buttons on the front and connectors on the back, so you can just reach over and button-select the desired computer (the Trendnet was strictly an under-the-desk item with connectors on 4 sides. Finally, the Trip-Lite is very solidly made with a steel cabinet... I could probably drive over it and do nothing more than scratch it.

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I've tried several KVMs over the years (work in IT), and Tripp-Lite is consistently best-in-class. If you have a set of test machines and want to reduce desk clutter, this is the way to go. Unlike other, usually cheaper models ("you get what you pay for") the Tripp-Lites I've used have been consistently solid. I was recently given a TrendNet which would change focus (shift to another PC) every time you hit Ctrl+Alt+Del, or Ctrl+Alt+Inst --not a good thing!! Other models are also prone to "losing" the USB keyboard/mouse connections with the KVM while booting up, unless the KVM's focus is on that specific PC, meaning you have to hard-reset the PC to get your peripherals back! No such issue with this unit, highly recommended.

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This Tripp Lite provided just what I needed supporting 4 computers with one monitor using the USB interface. I was concerned with reviews about resolution and reboots, but I haven't had those problems. I did see the resolution improve by using a P500-006 video cable from Tripp Lite instead of one without noise control. And so far I have not had to reboot a computer to see the keyboard and mouse. (There can be 20 seconds of delay while you move the mouse if the computer has entered a screensaver or low-power state.) I have no hesitation in recommending this product.

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