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Belkin F1DG102U Flip 2-Port KVM Switch with Audio Support (USB Connection) | List Price: $59.99
Discount Price: $29.00
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Brand: Belkin
Binding: Electronics
Warranty: 3 years warranty
Features: - Shares one monitor, keyboard, and mouse between two computers
- Shares one set of speakers between computers
- Supports PC and Mac notebook and desktop computers
- Features a 2-color LED that indicates which computer Flip is accessing
- Installs in three easy steps with no software required
Works well for me [Posted on 2008-07-27]
It works as advertised for me. I was nervous about compatibility with my wireless keyboard and mouse. They both connect to a single USB receiver. They work fine. There is a few seconds delay when switching, but I'm sure that's due to the time it takes for the computer to reconnect to the USB-based keyboard/mouse. It's not instantaneous, but it's not a nuisance either. Think how long it takes from the time you plug in any USB device until it's usable. That's what's going on here, and I'm not sure how it could respond any faster.
Download the optional software from Belkin's web site, any you get the ability to switch by hitting a hotkey combination on the keyboard. So the wired switch is not required. I also like the ability to switch just the audio or just the video. So, you can, for example, continue to listen to music played by one computer while working with the other. Nice feature.
Works fine if you don't power down [Posted on 2008-08-07]
I got this item to toggle between my personal PC and my work laptop on a docking station. It took some patience to set up - REALLY important to make sure one system is recognized before you plug in the other. Works fine as long as you never shut down both computers at once. If you do, you end up having to unplug the whole thing and start over. It doesn't take long to do, but it is a pain.
What a waste. [Posted on 2008-08-27]
The concept behind this KVM switch was great, but it was carried off horribly. Many times the device would switch video but the keyboard and mouse still controled the other system. Keyboard and mouse failed to detect outside of windows on several systems making this impossible to use for computer repair. When everything does work as advertised there is a 1 or 2 second delay waiting for the USB drivers to re-detect.
Shortsighted Design [Posted on 2008-08-27]
I bought this and nearly ever time I switch computers, either my mouse or my keyboard stops working. The problem is apparently support for "multifunction USB devices" was left out of the product. To clarify: "multifunction USB devices" are things like a mouse with a scroll wheel or a keyboard with volume up/down buttons...the kind of thing that was shipped with every computer in the last 3-4 years.
Even the rare time it did work, the switching process took a strangely long time. I am used to KVMs being "snappy" and being able to snap back and forth between computers. I would be tempted to race this thing against someone standing behind the desk swapping cables manually.
The product was so poor I actually returned to swapping cables manually because it was easier than trying to fix the problem when the KVM failed to switch correctly (which was most of the time).
All in all, it left me with a very dismal impression. It seems like, in an attempt to meet a consumer price point they missed the focus on the needs of the customer.
Don't bother with this device - it stinks! [Posted on 2008-09-28]
Like most people I originally purchased this KVM in hopes that it would allow me to access both of my PCs using the same USB Kybd & Mouse. The real selling point for this particular model was it also switched the audio along with the keyboard and mouse. I really liked that option since it eliminated the need for additional speakers for my 2nd machine. Like others who have reviewed this device - the scenario goes - it worked fine for the first few days - then it started screwing up. It's been nothing but a headache ever since. The mouse doesn't always track correctly - it's jittery and neither the mouse nor the keyboard successfully switch between machines on the first try. I could live with the annoying 6 second switching time if the thing actually worked but since it doesn't - it's just another annoyance I have to deal with. I've had to disconnect and reconnect my machines from the switch numerous times just to get the darn thing to work. I'm absolutely shocked that Belkin would actually put out something of this low quality and reliability. I've always had success with their products in the past which prompted me to purchase this device when I saw it on the store shelf. I guess I'm going to have to rethink Belkin. Save yourself 30 bucks and spend it on something else. As soon as I find another device that does what I need it to do - this piece of crap is going in the trash.
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