Cables To Go 30505 2-Port USB 2.0 Manual Switch (Blue)
by Cables To Go
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Category: CE
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: Cables To GoAudio: English (Original Language)
Model: 30505
Color: Blue
Product features:
- USB 2.0 interface provides data transfer rate up to 480 Mbps
- Lets you share USB devices between two PCs or Macs
- Two USB Type-B connectors, one USB Type-A connector
- Hot key functionality lets you use a keyboard to switch between computers
- Plug-and-play functionality makes installation a breeze
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Cables To Go 30505 2-Port USB 2.0 Manual Switch (Blue)
Customer Review: Not quite a KVM substitute
Summary: 4 Stars
I purchased this switch so that I could use my tray-mounted keyboard and trackball with my desktop computer and also my employer-provided laptop. Basically, I wanted to share these two USB devices between the two computers, and have a convenient way of switching between the two. Since I did not need to share video, I decided not to select a KVM switch, and figured that the "general-purpose" nature of this switch would come in handy. I have given this product 4 stars based on it's intended use (such as sharing a printer), not my application, for which it is not well suited.
Unfortunately, this switch is not ideal in the method that I use it. I have my USB keyboard and trackball connected to a small, bus-powered hub, which is then plugged into the switched port of the switch. The host ports are then connected to my desktop computer and my notebook computer. When either computer is turned on, it immediately attaches to the keyboard and mouse, with no problems at all. In fact, as a replacement for manually unplugging and plugging the USB cables when I need one system or another, this switch works fine. With both systems on, I can use the button on the switch to select one computer or another, and the keyboard and mouse switch over and work just fine.
However, there are two problems with the switch, as a KVM replacement. First, it takes several seconds for the switch to complete the changeover once the button is pressed. This makes it painful to switch back and forth between systems. I can easily see that impacting the way someone would work with two systems, and should be taken in to consideration.
The second problem is really a lack of understanding of how the "hot-key" switching works with this device. I had assumed that this would work like a KVM, where the scroll-lock hot key on the attached USB keyboard would let me select one system or the other. This is not the case. It turns out that you need to use the scroll-lock key on a keyboard of the computer that is not currently switched to the peripheral, a keyboard that is NOT connected through the switch. In other words, if my desktop computer is selected (so that my shared keyboard works with it), I can double click scroll-lock on my laptop keyboard, and this causes the switch to connect the shared keyboard to the laptop. Not very useful if your hands are on the shared keyboard, but it would probably work well for a shared printer selected from one computer or the other.
For a more technical description, I believe it works by emulating a keyboard to the non-selected computer. Then when another keyboard issues a scroll-lock state, all keyboards are notified so they can light their LED. The switch looks for two clicks of the scroll-lock key, then swtiches to the port that casued the event.
For now, I will continue to use the switch for my keyboard, since I don't need to switch back and forth between my work and home computers very much. However, I will probably look for an inexpensive KVM, and just leave the video portion disconnected, as I think that would be a better overall solution. This switch will then find a home sharing my printer between the two computers, a function for which it is better suited (and earns the 4 star rating that I have given it).
Description of Cables To Go 30505 2-Port USB 2.0 Manual Switch (Blue)
MODEL- 30505 VENDOR - Cables To Go FEATURES - 2-PORT USB 2.0 MANUAL SWITCH Our 2-Port USB 2.0 Manual Switch lets you conveniently share USB devices between two PCs or Macs. Easily extend the number of USB devices shared by using a USB hub to daisy-chain up to 127 devices. Quickly switch between the two computers with the use of hot-keys. Plug-and-play functionality makes installation a breeze.* Compliant with USB 2.0 specification providing data transfer rate up to 480Mbps* Two USB Type-B connectors One USB Type-A connector* Share one USB device between two computers* Expand the number of devices shared using a hub to daisy-chain up to 127 devices* Hot key functionality enables use of a keyboard to switch between computers* The LED port status indicator lets you see which computer is selected* Supports MS Windows 98SE ME 2000 XP Mac OS 9.0 or higherDigital Cameras & Photo Categories
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