Home > Consumer Reviews > Iogear GSC104U 4-Port USB KVM Switch Kit for PC/Mac

I picked this unit because it seemed likely to work with exotic USB mice and keyboards as well as Linux and Mac.

I use it with a Microsoft Natural Ergo Keyboard and a Logitech Cordless Optical Trackman operating two WinXP computers (desktop and laptop with docking station) and a Linux box. All the extra mouse and keyboard buttons work with this KVM on all three computers.

I've had this device for years now. I purchased it to share a keyboard, monitor and mouse between a newly purchased Mac and my PC. It does exactly that. I plugged in my USB keyboard and mouse, plugged in the monitor, and it works great!

I've used this with Windows, Linux and Mac OS 9/X with a range of USB devices, and never had any problems. IOGear makes good reliable KVMs that come with cable sets (although I did have to purchase 1 longer cable, to reach a 3rd computer). I never experienced any video issues, things looked crsip and clear.

One potential "gotcha" is that this is a true switch. When you switch to the next computer, it "disconnects" the USB devices from the computer you just switched away from, and connects them to the computer you just switched to. This gives you the ability to switch lots of USB devices between machines, but introduces a few seconds of "lag" when you switch, as the computer has to detect the new USB devices.

If you want USB keyboard emulation, so there's not that "switch lag", there's other USB KVMs out there that do USB "sniffing".

Overall, I've been really happy with mine. Years later, it's still going strong.

I have been using this KVM switch for years.
Very well build. No problems under Windows 2000 and Windows XP.
I did try variety of USB devices connected to the HUB such as: Scanners (HP & CardScan), Keyboards (Microsoft and GoldTouch), Hard drives, Cameras (Logitech), and a Cannon Printer. I never had any issues. The only negative is that the switch can not be controlled from the keyboard.

This KVM switch is not really worth the money. Major issues I have with it are:
1. No hot keys to switch between CPUs. You have to toggle the button on the KVM ! (wake up IOGear - almost all KVMs have this functionality)
2. When starting up a computer, you must have it selected on the KVM - otherwise the computer will complain of no keyboard / mouse being found.
3. When switching between CPUs, there is a 3-5 second gap before the mouse and keyboard start to work on the machine. Shouldn't the switching to be much faster ?

The good point about this KVM is that it is USB based and supports 2 additional USB devices - acts like a USB hub.

I am sure there are better models out there.

Bought this product to use with my MS Internet Keyboard which is a PS-2 keyboard (with a usb adapter). No matter how many times I attached the keyboard to the USB of the miniview, it would not detect it as an Internet Keyboard. Only as a HID Keyboard Device. This prevented me from using the shortcut buttons at the top of the keyboard.

Also, when going into games, never of the keyboard keys would work which is strange. I even d/l the latest drivers from MS to get it to work and it still would not respond inside of games. But the keyboard keys work in stuff like Word and Visual Studio.

So in all, it just turned my multi-functional keyboard into a generic usb keyboard which only worked in programs other then games. I would recommend staying away until IOGEAR or MS resolves this bug.