Review on 🔁 Enhanced IOGEAR 2-Port Dual View KVM Switch with Audio and USB Peripheral Sharing, Complete with Cables, TAA Compliant by Joe Roberts

I wanted to be able to support three different laptops in the same office. This device serves its purpose perfectly. There are several negative reviews about this device, in which I think that if you carefully read the instructions, the owner's problems will be solved. For example, you need to connect all your computers when they are off, then turn on the device, and then turn on the computers. If you skip this, you can plug in a powered-on laptop and then assume the device has failed. *** BEFORE THE PURCHASE. *** 1) Each computer must be connected to two VGA ports in the device. Plan ahead - you may need adapters. In my case, a laptop had a VGA port and an HDMI port, so I needed an HDMI to VGA adapter to make two VGA connections. I have another laptop with only a micro HDMI port - I have a micro HDMI to VGA adapter for it as well as a USB to VGA adapter. USB to VGA adapters are finicky, be sure to research them. For now this is a good option: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004D0QC0A/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01__o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=12) Plan your cables! This device comes with all necessary VGA cables. to connect the device to your computers, but does not come with VGA cables that run from the device to your monitors. The VGA cables that come with this unit have built-in USB, audio, and microphone jacks (it will make sense when you see it in person) - you probably won't want to replace them with other VGA cables you have . Also, keep in mind that you need a power adapter for every monitor, computer, and device. Make sure your system is suitable for this. Consider other cable management accessories you may need such as zip ties, clamps, etc. You will end up with a lot of thick VGA cables. My setup is honestly still a mess, but that doesn't bother me. 3) This device expects "standard" keyboards and mice for specific ports on the device. You can still use non-standard devices with additional USB peripheral ports, but this may change functionality. For example, my SteelSeries keyboard isn't recognized by the device's dedicated keyboard port, so I plug it into a USB peripheral port. From what I've gathered, it still works well as a keyboard - for example, the number pad still works well. However, as a result, I cannot use the KVMP device's "Hot Key" to switch computers with a keyboard command. That's fine with me because I don't mind pressing a physical button on the device, but it might matter to you. I read a review where someone said their gaming mouse just didn't work at all - I'm not sure if that person overlooked the manual that you can use USB peripherals or if they just didn't for she worked. My mouse is advertised as a gaming mouse but doesn't really have any extra bells and whistles - it works fine in a regular mouse port (I'll list my exact devices at the end of this review if you're interested).4 ) Consider your microphone/audio settings . I used to rely on either my computer speakers and microphone or my favorite headphones with a built-in microphone. But with this device you can have an audio/mic switch for each computer, which is nice. A separate microphone and audio input is expected. I suppose you can get a Bluetooth headset and use one of the USB peripherals for the dongle. I decided to just get a headphone mic/audio splitter, but I was thinking about getting a small external speaker and mic. It also assumes that the device can be connected to a separate microphone/audio port on your devices. If you have a device with a mic/audio combo jack like I do, you may need a splitter for that too. 5) Consider other peripherals and available USB ports. to add a webcam to this setting, for example. But there are only 2 USB peripheral ports. I'm planning to get an Anker USB hub to add more options but not sure how it will work (I'll try to remember to update this). Keep in mind that devices like flash drive readers and cell phone chargers don't need to be included in this setup—just the devices you want to switch to your active computer. *** PROS *** - Good build, appreciate the rubber tips, solid construction - "It just works" once you figure out how it's supposed to work. after reading the manual ;-) - I didn't notice any lag or loss of quality, even with all my adapters - Good customer support, I called and got in touch with someone quickly (asked if there was a workaround for the hotkey over USB peripherals; there are none) *** CONS *** - Takes some time to research and plan setup rather than using "plug and play" - Hidden costs may be added for you if you need additional adapters, splitters, new keyboards, etc... to make it work for you. Some features may not work with all keyboards, especially gaming keyboards. Some non-standard keyboards and mice may not work at all. *** LATEST NOTES *** My monitors: ASUS VE278H. No problem with this KVMP switcher. You can buy them from Revain today, but they're a little dated. My keyboard: SteelSeries APEX M500. It is not possible to use hotkeys with this switch, the keyboard must use a USB peripheral port for the keyboard to work. Revain doesn't sell the 500 at the moment, but I expect the 400 will work just as well as what you can buy today. My mouse: Logitech 810-002197. There are no issues with the switch but it is no longer on the market - Logitech 910-002277 is a very close product that you can buy today. They call these mice "gaming," but they're nowhere near as advanced as many gaming mice on the market. Eventually setting this up with laptops like I do will teach you how to work with multiple external monitors that are unfamiliar with them. There are tricks like changing what happens when you close the laptop lid that are useful for learning as other reviewers have pointed out. Much luck! :)