Intro:

    I live in a one-bedroom apartment. My bedroom is my sleeping quarters / my study / my library / computer room. As you can imagine it’s a little cramped. I really don’t have room for another monitor keyboard or mouse. Solution? Get a KVM (Keyboard Video Mouse). This is a device that allows you to use one keyboard, monitor and mouse to control multiple computers! I got just such a creature from SVC. The model I received was Vastech brand KVM and it is a two port (meaning you can hook up only two computers to it), and not powered (which means you will need no outside power source to run this version).

 

(1) Out of the box

Specifications:

    Below you will find just about everything you would want to know about this unit.

 

Model KVM201PS Number of PC Ports 2 PC Selection Method:   Hot Keys Yes Push Buttons: Yes Auto Scan Yes Max Resolution 1920x1440 Console Connector   Keyboard (PS/2) 1 Mini DIN6 Female VGA Monitor 1 HDB15 Female Mouse (PS2) 1 Mini DIN6 Female PC Ports Connector:   Keyboard (PS2) 2 mini DIN6 Female Mouse (PS2) 2 mini DIN6 Female VGA monitor 2 HDB15 Male LED’s Active, Scan Dimension 5.7 x 4.0 x 1.7 inches Weight  (pounds) 2.0 Power Not required Temperature (operating) 32 – 131 F Humidity (non condensing) 10% - 95% FCC Class A

What you get:

    First off, it was packaged adequately. I’m not one of those people that take a picture of the box it was shipped in, so use your imagination. Hehe. It comes with everything you need; the KVM itself, two KVM cable sets and instructions. The instructions are short and sweet, just the way they should be. They tell you exactly what you need to know and in multiple languages to boot. :) I caught that box remark Greg! ~David
 

(2) Size comparison	(3) Back of the KVM

Setup:

    This was a breeze! Can you say color coded…I knew you could do it. The cables easily plug into the back of the KVM where it is clearly labeled computer one, computer two and monitor (V), keyboard (K) and mouse (M). I’m not going to tell you how to plug cables in! That should be common sense already. The cables are 6 feet in length, so that should do for most applications.
 

Operation:
 

    There are two methods of switching between computers. There is the manual way and the hot-key way. The manual way consists of pushing a button located on the front of the KVM…how difficult. The hot-key way is to hit: scroll lock, scroll lock, the computer number and then enter.
 

(4) Computer 1	(5) Computer 2

Testing:

    Testing is simple. I simple hooked it all up and use it for a couple weeks. :)

 

The low down:

  Positive:
 

    If you do computer repair or just need a KVM for testing purposes, then I would say this is the KVM for you. I mean this is the cheapest KVM I have seen yet! It functioned as it should have, and gave me no problems. It’s very small in size, and it would fit most anywhere.


  Negative:

    On the other hand, if you are a gamer or into graphics design, then this is NOT the KVM for you. My major gripe is that it was too dark. I work with KVM’s all day long at work, so I have been around them a time or two. I had my Sony Trinitron’s brightness peaked out and it was still too dark for me! This is fine for office, but if you are in a dungeon in Doom 3 you are just not going to be able to see jack! Also, coming into this testing I knew that this was a PS2 only KVM. I have a Microsoft optical USB/PS2 mouse. Sooo I simply plugged in the USB to PS2 converter and hooked it up to the KVM…nothing. “Well, maybe I need to cycle the power on my PC.” Still nothing. It appears as if this device doesn’t support my mouse. No way am I going back to…to…my old ball mouse!!! Although, my standard PS2 mouse worked great with this…hehe.


Summary:

    So, if you are going to be installing an OS, or using Office on your PC, then you might consider giving this KVM a try. Once I get into my house this is going straight to my test rigs! Thanks to all that made this happen.
 

“If only it could swap between two girlfriends...”

Case closed:

    I'd like to thank SVC for making this review possible. The KVM is a bit hard to find on their site. The search works great, but to save you some time, here is the link directly to it. Make sure you go look around at all the other great stuff they have over there. Questions or comments should be directed to me. I love feedback! Or, if you wish, take them up in the forums. Lastly, for those of you that like to see what makes things tick, look below.

 

(6) There it be!

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