Best KVM Switches to Control Several Systems

For many users, it is very important that their KVM devices could manage a large number of connected computers or laptops. Controlling many targeted systems is what KVM switches are most often used for in industrial and commercial applications as you can hardly find a person who has more than two or three PCs or laptops at home. On the other hand, if you are looking for an optimal version of a KVM switch for a small server room, we suggest taking a look at the TRENDnet TK-803R model. As a rack mount type of switch, the TK-803R’s design makes it easy to place the device together with the rest of the equipment in the cabinet. With this switch, you can control up to 8 connected systems. For the convenience of switching between the computers, there are combinations of hotkeys available, thus you will not have to reach for the switch each time you choose another current system. However, the push button switching is also supported. The hot plugging feature and Plug&Play technology support definitely come in handy when working with several target workstations and pieces of equipment. The list of input USB devices supported includes Microsoft IntelliMouse, IntelliMouse Explorer as well as Logitech NetMouse and other optical mouse models. When outputting the video to console display connected via the VGA port this control and switching hardware provides the maximum video resolution of up to 2048 x 1536 pixels, which exceeds the Full HD resolution and has a 4:3 aspect ratio. Add the TRENDnet TK-803R’s compatibility with Windows, MacOS and Linux operating systems and you’ll have a concept of the functionality of this KVM device.

Manufactured in a compact KVM design for a desktop use this model by StarTech is encased in a sturdy metal chassis, which makes it suitable for any environment. The SV231DDVDUA is a switch that comes with two ports for computers connecting. While this model allows you to control only two target systems it provides a comprehensive control and many multimedia features competitors don’t have. To begin with, this device is a dual monitor KVM Switch that enables switching between two systems, with that each can be equipped with both analog VGA and digital DVI display interfaces. With this StarTech model, you can control two dual-display systems as it supports a dual display configuration on the host side for you to select between your DVI-D and VGA displays with up to 1920 x 1200 pixels maximum resolution. On top of the advanced video connectivity, the SV231DDVDUA offers extended audio features: for each system you hook up you are provided with audio in (mic in) and line/headphones audio out. This design enables a full interaction with connected PCs or notebooks via the multimedia channels and widens the range of the switch application scenarios.

As for USB devices connectivity, this StarTech switch delivers a great versatility featuring an integrated two-port USB hub that conveniently allows connected USB 2.0 peripheral hardware to be shared between connected PCs, laptops or workstations. If needed, you can connect up to four input devices on the console side with two mice and two keyboards to share between the connected computers. On the other hand, the hub feature eliminates the necessity of purchasing duplicate peripherals and allows you to cut down maintenance expenses.

TRENDnet designed a very compact solution for controlling two PCs or workstations with one set of keyboard, monitor, and mouse. This model has a plastic rounded-edges case with all the connection ports arranged along its perimeter. On the left side, the front face accommodates two USB ports for connecting a console keyboard and a mouse and 3.5 mm audio in and out to the right. On the left face, there are two audio ports, one for each system. Owing to such ports configuration you can control one PC while listening to the audio played back on the other connected system. Finally, on the rear face, this TRENDnet KVM switch has two VGA ports for plugging in the cables connecting the device to target systems. With that, the two connection cables that come in the model package split into VGA and USB connectors each on the connected PC side. Using the available USB ports you can connect various optical mice, Microsoft Intellimouse, Logitech Net Mouse, and many similar pointing devices to the switch to control the target systems. With this TRENDnet device, you can get the full use of advanced control features of such peripherals, which are aimed primarily at using under Windows, as the digital switch is designed to control the PCs and workstations based on Windows OS (from MS Windows 98 to XP and 2003 Server), as well as Linux-powered systems.

The VGA ports of the switch support the video out to the connected monitors at up to 2048 x 1536 pixels resolution. It is important to note that the bundled KVM cables also provide power to the switch (from the USB ports of the systems connected) so it dispenses with a power adapter, unlike many competing solutions.

With all its compactness and small weight, the GCS24U model is quite feature-packed. This KVM switch by Iogear is made as an out-of-box solution with molded-in control cables and a 6-feet remote control cable. Designed for controlling up to four PCs or workstations with a single set containing one USB keyboard, one USB mouse and a VGA display this switch offers a molded-in bundle of two USB and one VGA connector for each of the four connected systems. Thus, you will have all the needed cables at hand and already plugged on the switch side when using the device, which will save you effort and time. To switch between the systems you can use the four buttons on the device front panel or the remote button switch, which you can conveniently put on your table so you won’t have to reach for the device itself.

On the console side, the switch makes use of the DDC2B version of the Display Data Channel Standard to read the extended display identification data of the display connected and to automatically adjust the resolution to be in line with the monitor capabilities. The maximum console display resolution supported by the GCS24U is a decent 2048 x 1536 pixels, which allows you to use high-resolution QXGA displays with this switching device.

The GCS24U does not require a dedicated power adapter as it draws power from USB ports of the connected machines. Another benefit of this 4-port USB switch by Iogear is its plug-and-play architecture enabling you to hot-swap the peripherals and targeted systems. At that, you get a full support for Mac keyboards and mice with programmable buttons as peripheral control devices.

This multi-port ieGeek switch makes it possible to control up to four PCs from a set of one USB keyboard and mouse connected! The ieGeek KVM switch is a great and simple-to-use solution for controlling workstations, test benches, desktop PCs or other connected systems when switching between multiple systems is needed. With its Plug and Plug architecture, the device offers great flexibility as for using the three USB ports on the host side for connecting various peripherals and disconnecting them on the fly when you need to replace them with other USB-enabled devices. The manufacturer has got you covered in case you need to use all the available system connections out of the box as the supply package of this switch includes four KVM cables. As the KVM connection cables supplied are 5-feet long you also get enough room when laying cables and managing the connections.

On the video side of things, this ieGeek provides the support for up to 1920 x 1440 pixels video resolution, therefore you can connect a widescreen LCD display with a VGA input to this keyboard-video-mouse switch device. One little aspect that makes this multi-connection device a bit inconvenient is the absence of the remote switching feature, which is implemented in remote control KVM switches. Another downside is that switching between target systems on this model is performed by using a single push-button on the top. With that, you can switch to the system you want to work with at the moment only by pushing the button consecutively until you select the system needed, as no instant switching is provided. For the indication of the currently selected system, there are 4 LEDs on the switch case.