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Normally,
you find us reviewing the latest and greatest
motherboards, video cards and hard drives.
However, today we?ll look at a product that has
made quite an impression on this tester, the Linksys PS2KVMSK 2-Port
Compact KVM (Keyboard, Video and Mouse) Switch.
The
PS2KVMSK is one handy device that?s a breeze to
set up and has made life in the testing world a
little easier.
The PS2KVMSK is a simple 2-Port
Compact KVM Switch (PS/2) that doesn?t
require any additional power adapter or software to
run. You
just connect a keyboard and mouse, hook up the two
computers and you?re ready to go.
And the best part is for just over 50 bucks
you get everything in one simple kit.
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| Specifications
/ Features Of The Linksys KVM Switch |
| A
whole lot of simplicity in a little
package |
|
-
Ports:
-
Keyboard:
-
1
PS/2 female - Console
-
PS/2
female - CPU
-
Mouse:
-
PS/2
female - Console
-
PS/2
female - CPU
-
Video:
-
HDB-15
female - Console
-
HDB-15
male - CPU Ports
-
LED
Indicators:
-
2-Port
Switch: PC1, PC2
-
4-Port
Switch: PC1, PC2, PC3, PC4
-
Resolution
Max: 1920 x 1440 at 85Hz, DDC2B
|
| Installation
/ Setup |
| Nearly
idiot proof |
|
Features of the
PS2KVMSK
- Control
Multiple Computers from a Single Keyboard,
Monitor, and Mouse
- Switch
Instantly Between PCs
- Save
Hundreds of Dollars in Equipment and Energy
Costs
- Serves
as a Quick Docking Station for Notebook
Computers
- Supports
an Incredible 1920 x 1440 Maximum Screen
Resolution
- Full
Plug & Play Monitor Support
- Caps
Lock, Num. Lock, and Scroll Lock Settings Are
Automatically Recalled by each PC
- Runs
with Most PS/2 and Windows 95 Keyboards
- Compatible
with Virtually All Major PS/2 Mice
- No
Software Required
- Free
Technical Support
- Comes
with 2 cables for hookup
The
Good Stuff
What
can we say about a simple KVM switch, you ask?
Well, the fact that after 10 minutes out of
the box, we were ready to go.
No hassles... nothing.
And don?t forget to say good-bye to those
clunky switch knobs. The PS2KVMSK comes with a
smooth and quiet push-button that allows you to
easily toggle between two computers.
But it doesn?t stop there!
The brilliant designers over at Linksys added
one more option that really makes this a standout
KVM. You
say you don?t want to push no stinking buttons?
Don?t fret.
If you?d like, you can simply hit the CTRL
key twice and you?re on the other computer.
Now that was easy, wasn?t it?
The
Bad Stuff
Obviously,
we feel this is a great KVM switch, but we do need
to look at its shortcomings. I can only come
up with one. It?s
clear that the folks at Linksys were shooting for a
small, convenient device that didn?t take up a
whole lot of room, and it doesn?t.
But once you hook up your cables, with the
ports located on opposing sides of the unit, the
space taken up jumps from a measly
4? X 3?, to something more like 7? X 7?.
They probably could have designed all of the
hook-ups off of the back end and still managed a
respectable footprint.
Regardless,
we?ve been using this unit for about 8 months now
and the hot-key feature has never failed.
So if space is at a premium, you could
probably hook everything up and drop it out of site
and save the desk space for something else.
Cable hook-ups aside, this
is a great choice if you?re in the market for a
KVM switch or a device that will allow you the
flexibility of controlling 2 PCs from one command
center.. The Linksys PS2KVMSK 2-Port Compact KVM Switch is simple in design, rich in features,
and carries a nice price tag.
So if you are looking to hook up a second
box, but don?t want to shell out the cash for a
new monitor, keyboard and mouse, give this baby a
try. We?re glad we did.
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