Startech SV211MICRO 2 Port KVM Switch Review - Page 2 of 2 Posted:  February 09, 2004 Author:  Dud3! Manufacturer:  Startech Source:  ADPMods One thing to note for Windows users: even though the KVM has mouse and keyboard emulation so you can boot a computer without it being the one currently selected, you may have to have the computer you're booting selected so that Windows will properly detect your monitor.  This is not a problem for other operating systems. The video quality has been established, but what about the mouse and keyboard? The mouse was unaffected by the KVM, it didn't even need to be readjusted. The only problem in the mouse area is the fact that you have to either have a PS/2 mouse, or a USB mouse that will work with a PS/2 adapter. I would be unwilling to sacrifice the 800dpi resolution of my USB optical mouse by running it as PS/2 (limited to 200dpi), but for the computer I'm using the KVM on, this is not a problem. It's something to keep in mind for the serious gamers out there. The keyboard is the only real problem with this product. As with every KVM I've used, the repeat rate in Windows slows, and, as far as I know, can't be brought up to the normal speed. This isn't so much a problem with the KVM as it is with Windows, since Linux has no such limitations and you can still make the repeat rate insanely fast. My big compliant with the keyboard is the choice of hotkeys. To switch between computers, you press the left control key twice, then press one or two for the first or second computer respectively. This poses a problem when using the left control key, as I often do, because you can inadvertently trigger the KVM. Sometimes I've found a "1" or "2" in a text box I had open when I switched computers, but I mostly blame this on the keyboard I used to do most of the testing (MicroSoft Natural Keyboard). I prefer the keys used by my old KVM, scroll lock twice, then up or down arrow.  I've personally never used the scroll lock key, so I never accidentally activate the KVM with the old one.  One great thing I noticed immediately about this KVM is that it does not beep! My old one drove me nuts with all of it's chirping.  One more thing of note in the keyboard department is that most of the multimedia keys on my Viewsonic Viewmate Office keyboard ceased to function when hooked up via the KVM.  All play controls (volume and such) did not work, the application shortcut keys did not work, but the action keys (application switch, close, copy/paste...) did work.  The only thing I use is the play controls, so that's a definite detraction from the SV211MICRO. The system that I use this KVM with doesn't have a fancy keyboard or a USB mouse, so it doesn't bother me, but keep in mind that the extra features of your keyboard may not work with this KVM. Negative aspects aside, this KVM is the best I've used, and has a feature that I haven't seen before.  By pressing control twice, then F1, you trigger auto-scanning.  This will switch between computers every three seconds by default.  You can change the scan interval by pressing control twice, then F3 in the following increments. • 3 seconds • 8 seconds • 15 seconds • 40 seconds Although the manual specifies the longest interval to be thirty seconds, I found that it was actually about forty seconds. What would you use this for? Say you were installing operating systems on two computers and you wanted to keep checking the progress, simply set the auto-scan time, then press control, control, F1 and it will switch back and forth indefinitely until you stop it. Note that the time will go back to default when the KVM loses power (which may never happen if your computer has power management enabled). If you're concerned with desk space or wire mess, don't worry, it may actually increase space and decrease visible wire mess. In my case, it allowed me to have my computer closer to the wall, and tidied up the visible wiring.  I just let the bulky monitor cable, mouse and keyboard wires, and the KVM drop behind my desk out of site.  KVM?  What KVM? I just have a magic keyboard. The below left image shows the final installation, and the below right image gives another reference to the Startech SV211MICRO’s small size by placing it next to an AMD Socket A processor. Overall, this is a great KVM once you get past the less than ideal key mappings, and I recommend it as long as you don't have a USB only mouse or keyboard.  You certainly won't be disappointed with the quality or convenience of the Startech SV211MICRO! Available from ADPMods for $48.95 (Canadian) which when converted to US dollars is currently about $37 and in the same ballpark as other US retailers as found on PriceGrabber. Final Rating (4 out of 5 stars): Pros: • Small • Thin, flexible cables • High quality gold plated connectors • Fast and easy to set up • One year warranty • Silent (no beeping) Cons: • Poor key choice • PS/2 or USB with PS/2 adapter/protocol only • Multimedia keys may not work on some keyboards Special Thanks to ADPMods for providing the Startech SV211MICRO 2 Port KVM Switch to BigBruin.Com for review! Please drop by the BigBruin.Com forum and feel free to discuss this review. Page 1 | Page 2 | Forum | Review Index