Linksys SVIEW04 ProConnnect 4-station CPU KVM Switch

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing video quality from an otherwise great product
Review: Choosing a KVM can be very difficult. Every aspect of your computer interaction goes through this one device, and the slightest issues with the device can become major irritants. Having to live with a troublesome Belkin KVM at work, I know all too well what trouble these devices can be.

I bought the SVIEW04 to replace an older Linksys PS2KVM2 which I've used at home for the last several years. With the addition a new Mac Mini to join my current Windows and Linux PCs, I needed to upgrade to a larger KVM. I had been extremely happy with the PS2KVM2 (perfect image quality, instant switching, no mouse/keyboard problems or spurious character and mouse clicks when switching), so I stuck with the Linksys brand for this new one.

I am mostly pleased. It continues to emulate the mouse and keyboard perfectly (something I can't say about the Belkin KVM I use at work). With the addition of a PS2->USB adaptor it also works great with the Macintosh. Linux presented no difficulties either (the Belkin PS/2 KVM I've used has never played politely with Linux due to shoddy mouse emulation). The keyboard shortcuts are unintrusive, even for a programmer making heavy use of emacs and its carnival of bizarre keyboard shortcuts. Even better, dip switches allow some limited control over the keyboard switching (selection of alternate shortcuts, enable/disable 'quick' switching via the control keys).

My only complaint about this KVM is the video quality. I hooked it up using the same cabling which gave me a perfect image with my old KVM, but the output from the SVIEW04 is not as good. It causes a slight ghosting effect which makes objects look faintly embossed. This is particularly distracting for text on other backgrounds other than white. Note that I run my display at 1600x1200, and people running at lower resolutions will find the effect much less noticable. It is disappointing that the signal quality of newer Linksys KVMs seems to have diminished.

Aside from the video quality issue, this is a great product. I'm giving it 3 stars due to the video quality, otherwise it would receive a full 5 stars.

Rating:
Summary: Low tech hardware savings plan
Review: Linksys provides one of the best, versatile, and easy to use console switches on the market. I've used others that cost less, but broke only weeks later. The first one I got 3 years ago is still working.
This is an easy way to share a monitor, keyboard, and mouse with multiple CPUs. The device allows either keyboard enabled or hardware buttons to switch between systems. New systems can be added without creating new problems. Just plug and play.
Worth the price.