If you have continually upgraded your PC over the years, you probably have a stash of spare parts laying around. If you are lucky, it's enough to build another complete PC. Or maybe you just want to run a dedicated server on your local network (LAN). However, space and money constraints may leave you with a monitorless PC. What can you do? A keyboard-video-mouse (KVM) switch may meet your needs.

Since my latest round of upgrading left me enough to build that third PC but I didn't have enough room for another monitor, I decided to purchase a KVM switch. I've had a little experience with KVM switches because I recently got a Belkin OmniView SE at work. Unfortunately, the OmniView is very expensive and doesn't come with cables. A cost effective solution was Linksys's PS2KVMSK.

Features

-- Control Multiple Computers from a Single Keyboard, Monitor, and Mouse

-- Switch Instantly Between PCs

-- Supports 1920 x 1440 Maximum Screen Resolution

-- Serves as a Quick Docking Station for Notebook Computers

-- Full Plug & Play Monitor Support

-- Caps, Num, and Scroll Lock Settings Are Automatically Recalled by each PC

-- Runs with Most PS/2 and Windows 95 Keyboards

-- Compatible with Virtually All Major PS/2 Mice

-- No Software Required

-- Free Technical Support

-- Comes with 2 cables for hookup

-- One Year Warranty

-- $65 Street Price

Construction

The PS2KVM is a very compact unit measuring approximately 4 1/2"L x 3 1/2"W x 1"H and is well constructed.

Three of the sides contain the connectors for the two PC's and the Keyboard-Video-Mouse. Thw fourth side contains the button for switching between PC's. The cables that come with the unit are excellent - heavy duty and group in threes to reduce cable clutter. As the features above indicated, no software is required to operate the switch.

Evaluation

I really wanted to love this switch. However, the best thing that I can say about it is...it works as advertised. Whoa, so what's the problem? Well, the switch has two major problems. The first isn't really Linksys' problem; it's apparent on other manufacturer's switches as well. The switch doesn't support 4th mouse buttons or scroll wheels*. Once the mouse is connected to the switch, those functions are disabled. The Belkin literature (for the OmniView mentioned above) even goes as far to say you should use generic 2-button mouse drivers! While it's not the end of the world, it's pretty frustrating to lose those features.

The other problem, however, renders the switch useless for me. Instead of having to reach for the button on the switch to change PC's, they have built in a keyboard shortcut. Sounds like a great feature right? It would be except that they have made the keyboard shortcut CTRL+CTRL. If you hit the CTRL key twice quickly, you will change PC's. The CTRL key?? Why would they choose a key that is used often? I use the CTRL key for firing during games. Imagine what happens when you fire rapidly. Yes, you get the strobe effect as you switch back and forth between PC's! Also, if you use the CTRL key for editing (CTRL+C, CTRL+V, etc.), an inadvertant double stroke on the CTRL key will switch PC's. This is unbelievable. Unfortunately, the hotkey can neither be changed nor disabled. In contrast, while it is also unchangeable, the Belkin unit uses the Scroll Lock key. This is a much more logical choice because the Scroll Lock is basically obsolete in today's computing experience.

This is some hope, though, because their 4-port switch uses a a keyboard combination of ALT+CTRL+SHIFT+# (where #=1,2,3 and 4). While it is a little more cumbersome, it prevents accidental switching of PC's. Also, the 4-port version has Auto-Scan, which allows you to automatically cycle between your PC's. That option is not available on the 2-port version.

I recommend getting the switch kit instead of just the switch alone. While it doesn't cost a lot more ($18), the SuperVGA cables are worth the price. They are normally $23 each! I tried standard VGA cables on the Belkin switch and the signal degradation was unacceptable.

Conclusion

Pros

-- Low Price

-- Excellent Cables

Cons

-- No 4th Mouse Button or Scroll Wheel support

-- Poor hotkey choice and implementation

-- No Auto-Scan capability

Because of the hardcoded CTRL+CTRL hotkey, I can't recommend this switch. In somes circumstances, its limited capabilities might meet somebody's requirements. But for everyone else, I'd go with the 4-port switch...even if you have to buy the cables separately.

* I've received reports of some people getting mouse wheel support with this switch...your mileage may vary.

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