Home > Consumer Reviews > Linksys KVM2KIT ProConnect Integrated KVM 2-Port Switch

I have used many KVMs in server rooms. These industrial-strength boxes are big and expensive because they're designed to allow you to control large number of servers.

Another feature of server-oriented KVMs is that they give an audible "chirp" when you switch to a new machine. That's helpful in noisy server rooms when you are switching between servers that have desktops that look mostly alike.

But when I wanted a KVM to switch between 2 PCs at home, I wanted something small, inexpensive, and quiet (I most definitely don't want a loud "chirp!" waking up my kids at night).

This Linksys is just about perfect. Because it has cables molded in, it is very compact. It switches silently (no chirp), and the video signal is clear and free of jitter or noise even at high res (1280x1024) with high refresh rates.

Another customer said that he had some compatibility problems, but I haven't had any. I use a Microsoft optical USB mouse with a PS2 converter (it's a little adapter plug that came with the mouse) and I have used the KVM with a normal Dell keyboard, and with my current ultra-ergonomic Kinesis Classic keyboard.

I would have given this unit 5 stars, except that I think the cables would benefit from being just a bit longer. As it is, the unit works well, has excellent compatibility, and is an incredible value.

I am a computer engineer and needed a good quality KVM
switch to connect two computers to one monitor. This small
switch comes with built in cables and is well built.
I connected both a windows box and unix workstation to
the same monitor with no problems. The average user shouldn't
have any problems either since this product is not operating
system dependent. This is a wonderful product that I would
highly recommend.

Perfect! Well, I was worried about monitor distortion as others have mentioned. Got it anyway and one PC was perfect, the other PC (that had a temporary crappy old PCI video card) actually DID have distortion. NOT the fault of the KVM switch. For kicks, I installed a different video DRIVER for that card, and for some reason it FIXED the problem. Then I put an AGP card back into the 2nd system, and it also worked perfectly.

Factors that affect Video Signal: VGA cable too long; Cable extensions, weak video CARD signal (possibly from unreliable POWER supply in the computer), Video cables too close to other cables (power cords and such). If you experience distortion, it would probably happen with ANY KVM switch you buy. After all, you ARE extending your video cable. Worked great with CORDLESS KEYBOARD AND MOUSE.
WHAT WOULD MAKE IT BETTER: Heavier gauge shielded video cables, Ferrite bead at the end of each cable... Of course this would also make it and more expensive and bigger.
This is a good value.

This has worked perfectly, but the only problem is that there isnt room for a usb to ps2 adapter.

I tried two of these thinking the first was defective, but was unable to switch between PCs with the replacement also. If I booted only one PC it worked, if I booted both, only the PC that booted first worked regardless of which side of the switch it was connected to. I was very disappointed.