Home > Consumer Reviews > TRENDnet TK-207K Version v1.2R 2-Port USB KVM Switch Kit Includes 2x KVM Cables

I initially dismissed this product because it looked cheap, and seemed to be priced accordingly. But after reading some of the reviews, I decided to buy it and risk a whopping 24 bucks. It was a great buy.

What it does - It switches your VGA monitor between two computers, along with your USB keyboard and USB mouse. It has two buttons on the device to control the switching. It has two USB ports that go to your keyboard and your mouse. It has three VGA ports. One goes to your monitor (you use the cable you already have). Two go to your two computers. Interestingly, the KVM-to-computer cable, a special cable that is included (two of them), also carries the USB signal. The cable splits at the computer end and you connect the VGA connector and the USB connector to their respective ports on your computers.

What it does not - It does not switch audio. It is not designed to switch additional USB devices, although it may work for some devices that do not need high bus-power, if your keyboard acts as a unpowered hub. The device itself is powered by the computer's USB bus and it does not have a separate power supply.

This is exactly what I needed. KVM stands for keyboard, video, and mouse. That's all I wanted to switch between two computers (a Mac and a Linux PC laptop). I considered other KVM devices, and they had more features such as audio switching and special software, but they cost much more than this simple device. The package comes with software for switching, but it is for Windows only. The docs say it has a hot key, the scroll lock key hit twice in succession, that controls the switch. However, it did not work for me, probably because of my Mac keyboard which does not have a dedicated scroll lock key. However, the device is sitting next to my keyboard, and I just hit the appropriate button (1 or 2) to switch. It is quite small. The switching is nearly instant. What could be more simple than that?

A few things I have tried... It works fine at 1600x1200, 75 Hz. My normally used Mac resolution is 1280x960 at 75 Hz. My Linux laptop is old and can only externally output 1024x764 at 60 Hz, which also works fine. I do not see any degrading of picture quality going through this KVM. My monitor is 19-inch CRT.

In summary, the Trendnet TK207K 2-Port USB KVM Switch works great at a great price. If a simple two-way KVM for VGA/USB is what you need, I recommend this one.

I currently have two of these KVM switches (one at home and one at work) for switching between a desktop running WinXP and my laptop (Fujitsu Lifebook T4210). It seems to work just fine, both using the keyboard hotkey (press scroll-lock twice) and the button on the KVM switch. My desktop computers are always on so no problems have come up with regards to power. My mice are the standard three button optical mice with the scroll wheel. There are only a few things I can complain about, 1. no extra USB port to serve as a printer hub (which is really only an inconvenience if you don't have a network printer). 2. the effective footprint of the switch, with all the cables sticking out is close to 10 inches by 7 inches. They should have made it wall mountable so that it can be set aside more nicely.

I use this to control my laptop and desktop pc. I am constantly having to crawl under my desk to press the buttons to switch computers as the hot buttons do not work if only one computer is on. It will remember the last computer used. If you start up the other, you will need to press the button on the unit. It will not automatically switch to the one that is powered or powering up.

I bought this product due to the USB functionality and the sweet spot price. The KVM switch does exactly how it is advertised and how I wanted it-- it switches between my PC and my mac mini with ease.

PROs:
Fast switching with the on-box buttons
No quality issues with the monitor/resolution
Keyboard/mouse switch is fine
Sweet price

CONs:
The switching on mac is a little annoying-- the software is WINDOWS ONLY (i didnt install software on XP anyway, since its useless having the software on one comp and not the other)-- who wants to write software for WINDOWS? - double scroll lock hotkey does not work with mac (I haven't tried with linux), so I have to use the box to switch

I totally recommend this product -- despite the annoyance with the mac, it's a sweet deal

I purchased this so my husband could work on his work laptop using his home desktop keyboard, mouse & larger screen. It set up easily. The display switches quickly. The only complaint is the delay in the computer finding the mouse & keyboard. It's long enough to sometimes make you think it's not working, but giving it a minute will usually result in it working. I bought an Iogear Extreme for my own use back when it was one of the few USB KVM's available. It has to plug into an outlet rather than getting it's power from the computer. It never has delays when switching & that may be why. It cost 3x as much though. I switch so frequently, that the delay would bother me. My husband uses one computer or the other, so it doesn't bother him.