Home > Consumer Reviews > IOGEAR GCS932U MiniView Micro DVI-D 2 Port KVM with Audio and Cables

I bought this to use with a Mac Pro (desktop) and a laptop. The product is designed nicely, but appears to havean incompatibility with the Mac Pro - whenever I'd switch away from the Mac it would crash, and the error report upon booting suggested the crash was happening in an Nvidia driver. Apparently when you switch away the computer loses EDID information from the monitor, then crashes. I tried the competing Belkin model (F1DG102D) and, while about $30 more expensive, it works well (though it does use a power adapter, while the Iogear does not). One other quirk with the Iogear is that when booting the DVD drive would pop open. I'm using a Logitech wireless keyboard mouse combo, perhaps the problem is related, but I don't see this with the Belkin.

I purchased this item to switch my USB keyboard, mouse, speaker, and DVI LCD monitor connection between a laptop dock and my desk system. I looked at all of the DVI switches on Amazon and this switch was the best compromise between price, feedback, and features for my needs.

Some notes, especially WRT the comments about other switches:

- The special function keys (one-touch Word, Excel, etc) on my Microsoft keyboard continued to work through this switch

- This switch is supplied with a separate toggle switch (flat 1" diameter illuminated push button) which, when pressed, will toggle the switch. Green LED's on the button switch on/off to show which computer is selected.

- Switching may also be accomplished by double-pressing Scroll Lock on the keyboard. The hot key may also be changed to Ctrl by pressing/holding the pushbutton or by a keyboard hot-key sequence.

- There are several switching modes: switch everything, switch only the KVM functions, switch only the audio, or go into an AutoScan mode where it automatically toggles between the two computers at one of four user-selected intervals.

Works great, but the cables are way too SHORT; as a result it takes a lot of squeezing to get all the components close enough to connect.

IF IT HAD LONGER CABLES, I WOULD NOT HESITATE TO RECOMMEND IT.

I was about to buy the Belkin device, until I saw customer reviews mentioning glitches with the Belkin, and recommending IOGEAR as a better and lower cost alternative.

I have to say, it's plug and play. I'm using it to share my HD monitor with my desktop home system and my work laptop. The coin (quarter) sized control button on the desk has a light that indicates which PC is active. At the push of the button the screen and all control switches from one PC to the other. I have experience NO issues at all, and now my home office desk is much neater (and I'm not constantly typing on the wrong keyboard).

This product is a winner. BTW, I was concerned at first as some other reviewers were, about the cable length. My desktop unit is under my desk and my laptop docking station is on the desk to the side of the monitor. I have cable to spare.

This is a good buy.

After struggling with a Belkin Flip DVI KVM, I bought this one and have had no problems. I'm running at 1920 x 1200 and the screen and keyboard are solid. Be sure to have the computer selected when it boots so it can communicate with the monitor. After that, it works great!