A great KVM switchbox - makes it easy to use one keyboard/mouse/monitor with two computers! (Avocent Switchview)

Member Name: aled99

Product:	Avocent Switchview
Date:	26/09/09 (12 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Simple one touch button to switch, supplied cables tidy, reliable.

Disadvantages: Doesn't switch audio, but this keeps it simple.

This KVM switchbox has really simplified the amount of cables, keyboards and mice I have around my computers. I have 2 computers so I can have one on windows xp and one on windows vista. The switchview is obviously independent of operating system, but it can easily cope with a variety of display resolutions. I have used lots of different keyboards / mice with it, and experienced no major problems. (The keyboards / mice have to be ps2 port connections).

I have used this for several years and most of the time I don't even know I am using it. The quality of the display and response times for the keyboard and mouse are identical to without the switchbox.

Installation of the switchview is easy. The power for the swithview is normally taken from the keyboard ps2 socket, but the keyboard is still powered (lights come on etc). There is a socket on the back for power input, I assume it's for switching display only without a keyboard, but not sure as I've never used it. The provided cables are good, as they allow connection for vga, keyboard and a mouse all in one thick cable, so helping tidy up the mess of wires behind my computer.

The switchview has lights on the front to indicate which computer is linked to the controls and whether either computer is switched on. The switchview can be used to control one computer while the other is booting up. A point I'm making if you're wondering if a switchview box would mean the computer without the controls would have a keyboard bios error when booting.

If both connected computers are off and you turn one on it will automatically switch to that computer. I've had no problems with it, after years of use and would easily recommend it to anyone who wants to use one set of display/ mouse/ keyboard with 2 computers.

Overall I'm very impressed with the switchview unit. It's simple one touch button makes switching between computers very easy. There is a cd included, with some instructions and other information, but I only glanced at it once when I first had the switchview, but as the setup was so easy I didn't need any help.

I think there is a mistake with the picture used for the switchview, as it shows the four port model used to control 4 computers with one keyboard/ mouse / display, rather than the 2 port version (like I have) described in the description.

Summary: An excellent KVM box which I find very useful!