Linksys ProConnect KVM Switch - 4 x 1 - 4 x mini-DIN (PS/2) Keyboard, 4 x mini-DIN (PS/2) Mouse, 4 x HD-15 Video - PS2KVM4

I was trying to find a KVM to replace my previous KVM that had two channels go out (over a 5 year period). I figured staying with Linksys would be fine. However, the key strokes to swap computers has to be the poorest design I have ever seen. I'm surprised I don't have to stand on my head as well to switch to another computer. I used to only have to hit CNTL twice to swap computers. Now, I have to hit 4 keys (and sometimes they don't work). And the single key of ENTER to swap is a stupid design as well. How many times does a user use their SHIFT key in normal typing? ALL THE TIME! If I can send this unit back, I will. I'm going to read the online manual next time to see exactly what has to be done to access the features of a KVM box.
 
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I had no problems setting it up in just a few minutes and it hasn't glitched once. I used the StarTech cables. They were a tad more expensive but much more rugged and all 3 cords are attached together so there isn't a mess of individual wires. There are several methods of switching including a hot-key on the box. The keyboard methods are pretty clumbsy (Alt-release, Ctrl-release, Shift-release, then a number from 1 to 4, then Enter). A two-button command would have been nicer. But it has a feature to cycle back and forth just using shift keys (set up: Alt-release, Ctrl-release, Shift-release, 9, Enter), but if you want to make a change on a screen, you have to press spacebar which disables Shift-switching, then to go back to Shift-switching you have to go through the whole setup process again. I know nothing of electronics so I imagine they couldn't think of any way less clumbsy to switch with the keyboard, but it's not pretty. The button on the box works fine. Another feature (Alt-release, Ctrl-release, Shift-release, 0, Enter) does automatic cycling among all four computers, but the delay is only a second or so, which is too fast to actually see anything on the screen. One thing to remember, like the picture shows, the cords attach to three sides of the box, which makes for a lot of wires going out in right directions to each other. It takes up a lot of desk space if it is on top of the desk and is a mess below. It would have been nicer if all the cords could have attached to the same side of the box. But, hey, it works fine and even with adding 4 cable sets it is only $115. One think I especially appreciate is that I can set up the monitor for 4 different screen resolutions and color depths and it remembers each one without having to resize the screen.
 
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This slightly flimsy and cheap feeling plastic box could do with non-slip pads underneath and better alignment of the ports... It draws its power from the monitor (no external power supply) which is both good and bad. Its bad because you really need to power *everything* down if you want to swap things round. Failing to do so will render something not working right... Also I found that my Compaq laptop won't start the mouse driver ("The device cannot start - error 10") if the KVM switch is switched to the laptop during the boot. A call to Linksys' free 24/7 technical support reveals that you get what you pay for... Still - what does one expect from about the cheapest 4-port KVM out there? It all works fine now, and the hot key swap is great as the KVM itself can simply sit under the desk.
 
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Networking > KVM Switches