Home > Consumer Reviews > Starview 2-Port KVM Switch Kit with Cables (PC/Mac)

I've been trying several other products in this space and after several recommendations ended up giving this solution a last shot. For once I ended up with a working solution right from the start.

Setup:

Dell Inspiron 8500
Generic P4 Server
Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro (usb)
Microsoft USB Intellimouse Optical - wireless (usb)

I had major issues with a D-Link and Belkin solution before - in both cases the keyboard was stuttering and the mouse not consistently handling clicks.

No issues here with either with the keyboard or mouse. Even the USB ports on the keyboard work...

The only minor downside is that the sync between machines is a little slow - it can take a few seconds for the laptop especially to get mouse/keyboard active although the screen switch is instant.

I bought a Starview 2-Port KVM Switch Kit with Cables (PC/Mac) and everything works great. When switching to the imac mini there is about a 0.5 second delay and when switching to windows there is a 2 second delay, can't complain. Also all 5 buttons and the scrollwheel work on the Starview. I would recommend anyone if you don't mind pressing a button on the unit to switch.

I originally had a IOGEAR GCS632U and had nothing but problems. Couldn't get it to work with my Windows XP. See the GCS632U page for my review on it.

I wish I would have bought the Starview to begin with. 5/5!

For about a year and a half I struggled with a Belkin KVM switch to allow me to have instant access to my Mac Mini and Dell computers. It was extremely buggy: it would often switch on its own from one computer to the other; monitor quality using one computer was very good, and on the other it had a greenish tint; sometimes the switch would not allow me access at all to one or the other computers. Another problem with the Belkin was that wires came out of both ends of it making it difficult to position physically. Belkin tech support was helpful, but after hearing about the Starview switch, I had to give it a try.

As other reviewers have noted, you simply plug everything in, and it works! What could be better. I've been using it now for about a month and have had no problem. I have a very large 24" wide-screen Dell monitor, and both the Mac and PC look beautiful on it. I am also using a wireless keyboard and mouse with no problem. The USB printer I hooked up to the KVM switch also works flawlessly on both machines. All the wires come out the back, so if you want to position this on your desk, you can do so in a way that the wires don't show.

Its only minor downside is its appearance - it's a very utilitarian metal box. But I hide mine just within reach under my desk, so no one sees it anyway.

In a nutshell, if you need a KVM switch, this is the one!

Great product. Blows away the Belkin KVM I was using. Two computers on one monitor, keyboard, mouse and printer - no problems.

This KVM is made of metal and feels solid and well-built. It comes with an AC power adapter,
but it works fine for me without the adapter.

Overall I give this product thumbs-up, it has been working fine with no glitches or odd behavior at all.

To switch between computers you have to press the button on the unit, there is no keyboard
shortcut that will toggle between computers, a feature that some other KVM's have.

Comes with a pair of bonded KVM cables which are kind of stiff and heavy, as cables go.
A VGA-male to VGA-female cable is bonded to a USB-A to USB-B cable.

Another plus is that this KVM is covered by a 3-year warranty direct thru Startech.