IOGEAR 2-Port USB VGA Miniview Micro Cabled KVM Switch - 2048 x 1536 - Hot Keys Switch - w/Audio - Plug n Play - PC, MAC, SUN - GCS632U

I spent many hours researching KVM switches to find one that satisfactorily switched between older PCs using Windows XP Home and a new PC running Windows 7 (64 bit). Essentially every one worked well with the older PC, but needed to have the monitor reset when switched to the Windows 7 PC. This unit advertised it would do this flawlessly. It actually does. All the equipment needed to connect the PCs to a single monitor are included in the package. Setup is relatively easy with picture directions, as well as written ones to guide you to make sure all connections are correct. There is sufficient cord length from the unit to have PCs about 6 ft away. One word of caution - connections between the unit, PCs and monitor are made through VGA connections, not DVI. During installation, I was unable to get the system to work properly. I was using the new keyboard, optical mouse connected to the unit through the USB connections. A phone call to the IOGEAR help line connected me to a most helpful tech representative. After making sure all the connections were properly done, the problem turned out to be user error by my failure to note the difference between the new keyboard and the old one. Once my training was updated, everything worked beautifully. There is no problem when going back and forth to the Windows 7 unit with the 20 inch widescreen monitor - no change in the settings. The only issue with the old Windows XP Home PC and the switch is the resolution of the PC is limited by the graphics card and not the switch. Still the slightly stretched view is perfectly satisfactory for any of our use of that machine. For sound reproduction from either of he PCs, I used only the connection provided with the switch and the sound through the monitor speakers is extremely satisfactory for my usage. From my experience, I can heartily recommend this inexpensive method to maintain quick access to data and files on an old Windows computer, while working with your new updated Windows 7 machine.

I DO highly recommend this item, but with caveats, know that there will be a delay with USB over the older PS/2 Mouse/Keyboard iogear which would toggle instantly. Pros: --Does what it is suppose to --pulls power from the USB cables plugged into the machines(so no need for additional power) --double tap of Scroll Lock to toggle --Able to use USB Hub with this, so you can toggle many usb devices at once --Do not need to use VGA video toggling if working with laptop or working on a pc/server you dont need a monitor attached to. --I only used the USB toggle portion of this device, and that ability is great to have(Have old PS/2 version and used it fully for keyboard/video/mouse(where the name KVM comes from) toggle, and it is great for that, but the ability to be able to choose what you want to have connected and toggled is really adaptable and useful for odd configurations you might need to fit into your setup.) Cons: --My Logitech K350 wireless Keyboard doesnt have a physical Scroll lock key and made me need a 2nd old 104-style usb keyboard plugged in just for allowing toggle. (I found that it DOES have the key, but I dont have the KVM setup right now, nor have time to play with it to test it (FN+Pause/break, for those who are curious...), more on this below in Add. Thoughts) Other thoughts: I had the old IOGear mouse/keyboard version of this and have used it for years, and it is great I only bought this USB version for when my laptop keyboard died, and I was waiting for a cheap replacement to get sent from China (worked out well for me) A KVM like this is really nice to have just laying around for when you need to work on a second computer, which is why I bought it. Even having to use the 2nd keyboard just sitting on the far side of my desk to toggle PC i was controlling, it was a god-send for when I needed a KVM like this, to allow me to use my keyboard on my laptop and my desktop at the same time. (the delay of switching to windows was ~10 seconds for me, but Linux recognized it instantly it and used it smoothly.) I was under a lot of time/pressure constraints when I need this, so I didnt have time to fix things that werent 100% perfect, but I bet my issues were because of the VERY convoluted setup I needed (wireless keyboard/mouse, USB mass storage, USB HUB with both of those plugged into it, and then audio no used at all from KVM,) (The semester ending, and deadlines for projects made this the very best solution I could hope for when I needed it.) I used this for input toggle only, not output (laptop had working monitor) And VGA really isnt that useful on a modern PC/monitor, BUT, its a great legacy input, so I plan on setting this up as an alternate input for my PC when I need to help someone with their PC. Without even looking I know there are DVI KVMs, and probably HDMI/USB3/DisplayPort ones coming or out already, and those might better fit your need. And those solutions might fit your need better. But this device fit perfectly for what I needed, and might fit your needs. If you ONLY need USB toggle, and NEVER need audio or video, then a USB push toggle device can be had for ~10$ and is nice to have also. (Using both together to allow you to toggle USB mass storage separately from the keyboard/mouse (and if you want audio/video) is what I ended up using and it saved me hours and hours of plugging in and unplugging cables into/out of laptop/PC, and that alone was worth 2x the price I paid for this the USB switch combined) </Rambling response to try and help explain all the possible Point of Views that this needs to be approached from.>

This worked out perfect for me. I used this KVM switch to hookup two Old Macs. A Sawtooth G4 and a Quicksilver G4 to an old Sharp LCD monitor. Everything hooked up easily; the Sawtooth Video card has an ADC and VGA connector. The Quicksilver Has an ADC and DVI connector; I used the DVI to VGA adapter that came with that Video card to attach it to the KVMs video connector. The Sharp plugged right into the KVM switch. Plugged the USB for both Macs for the mouse and the Keyboard in, turned everything on and after three tries at the keystroke timing to invoke the Hot Keys mode I hit the T key and it was programmed to switch. To our surprise it keeps the Hot Key setting even after you shut down so we only had to do it once. Didnt need to call tech support at all. Note about the Mac keystroke timing to invoke the Hotkey Mode. Do it quick: Press Clear key/Press Minus key/Release Minus key/ Release Clear key thats all it took. The first two tries were spent trying to follow the instructions using a watch for timing. I did it on the third try without looking at the seconds on a watch. The IOGear 2-Port MiniView Micro USB PLUS KVM Switch was easy to set up. Works perfectly with Macs even old ones. Performs exactly as advertised.

I recently upgraded to a new PC, but having barely used the available space on my old tower, I like the ability to easily switch between the two machines with a quick tap at the keyboard. Previously I have used an IOGEAR KVM switch with excellent results, but the new PC had all USB keyboard and mouse, and the old KVM was PS2. Not only did the new switch update me to USB input, it actually freed up slots as it only needs one USB port on each PC. I did have to play around with the hotkey setting to get the switch to work correctly, but after restarting the two PCs, it worked fine. If you are looking to run 2 PCs from one monitor/keyboard/mouse, I definitely recommend this KVM switch. Compared to more complex devices capable of connecting more PCs to a single monitor and input devices, it is an excellent value, with everything you need in one box, no separate cables to buy, and pretty quick and easy to set up.

Easy to set up, easy to operate. The multi-media keys work on my setup, however, music on one machine does not switch when going between machines, you get the sound on the current machine. I had one problem during installation. I had to unplug the USB on one PC & re-plug in order for Windows to recognize the mouse. I originally had a PS/2 mouse on that PC. Update to review: I upgraded the original Dell keyboard to a plain Unicomp keyboard. The IOgear KVM switch does not work with the new Unicomp keyboard, doesnt recognize it at all. Id rate this one or two stars, not four as I originally reviewed.

I had another KVM switch from TrendNet and returned 2 of them... thinking the first one was defective. I called IoGear to check that this would work with my Logitech Wireless Mouse/Keyboard combo and bought it since they said it would work. I was having video problems with the other switch, but they are not present with the IoGear switch. Works like a charm. I have two Dell laptops connected through the switch, and once I put the Logitech dongle into the right (keyboard, not mouse) port on the KVM, the keyboard-based switching works. Theres a slight delay while the computer thats being activated catches up with the connection to the mouse/keyboard, but really not a deal compared to the convenience. SO... short form -- dont buy TrendNet... buy this one - AND it costs less!

Working well for me with wired keyboard and wireless mouse, Im not using audio. Video looks good - i dont think i can see a difference with the KVM installed. The keyboard and mouse have to be plugged into the KVM correctly, according to the written instructions and the symbols on the KVM itself. I rushed through that step (thinking USB is Universal) and got them backwards, and the KVM wouldnt switch. IOGEAR phone support helped in minutes. He didnt ask me if i had RTFM, as he was well within his rights to do, and was helpful. He might get a lot of this question every day. The video switch takes about 3 seconds to one computer, and 4 seconds to the other. I think this is the computer speed and how quickly it detects that there is a new screen attached. It would be nice if the KVM switch could keep the the unused side warm so that the switch-over would be faster. This would probably require support in the computer itself (each computer). Amazons price and shipping were excellent. A+++ Would buy again.

This is a great product did exactly what I expected and needed. Very simple to hook up 2 pc towers to 1 monitor, 1 keyboard, 1 mouse and 1 surround sound speakers. No problems and easy to install. Been many months since I have purchased it and no problems

I have been using the GCS632U with two Dell computers for more than two months. The device works as advertised including crystal clear and noise free audio. One minor issue is sometimes upon powering-on the “B” computer with the “A” computer already running the “B” computer does not find the mouse. The problem is easily resolved by pressing “Scroll Lock” twice to switch to the “A” computer then pressing “Scroll Lock” twice to switch back to the “B” computer – it always finds the mouse. Note that the problem only occurs on Power-on and never occurs when switching to a computer that is in the “Sleep State”. I would recommend this product to a friend.

Fast and easy to use. So far this has been a very nice KVM switch. I only use it for the USB though and havent tried the VGA or sound options. The fact that both the mouse and keyboard are combined into a single USB input for each receiving computer is very nice. It frees up a extra USB port that would otherwise be taken. The speed at which it switches from one computer to the other is nothing to complain about, it is very fast. This is especially key if you flip back and forth regularly to respond to chats or anything else that requires fairly fast replies. It isnt big and bulky and doesnt look terrible on the desk. I do have the wires behind my desk because I dont want them laying on top and that causes the switch itself to elevate in the front. But, it still stays on the desk. My keyboard has a USB input where, before the switch, I would plug my mouse in and then attach only the keyboard to the computer. I attempted this same configuration with the switch at the start but didnt have any luck. It appears that the mouse and keyboard need to be plugged in separately to their respective inputs. Also, I have this attached to a Mac and a PC with a Windows based keyboard. The ScrLk key to switch was fine until I noticed it was dimming the display on the MacBook. I consulted the manual and read that you can switch the input to [ctrl][ctrl] for a Mac. Unfortunately, the instructions were incorrect. I was able to find instructions on how to correctly change this though. Instead of holding NumLk and then pressing and holding - for a second and then releasing the two and tapping t, you should, while holding NumLk, tap - once quickly, release both, and tap t. Overall this is a great solution and definitely worth the money.