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geekhack Community => Off Topic => Topic started by: tp4tissue on Tue, 26 November 2019, 11:05:23

Title: KVM Switches are so Expensive
Post by: tp4tissue on Tue, 26 November 2019, 11:05:23
You might as well Buy m0ar monitors.
Title: Re: KVM Switches are so Expensive
Post by: _rubik on Tue, 26 November 2019, 11:07:28
It all depends on which KVMs you're after. Older VGA/USB2 models are pretty cheap these days. Multi-input, multi-output with all the modern touches (thunderbolt 3, hdmi, etc etc) will run you a pretty penny.
Title: Re: KVM Switches are so Expensive
Post by: Sintpinty on Tue, 26 November 2019, 11:14:40
You might as well Buy m0ar monitors.


What are KVN switches
Title: Re: KVM Switches are so Expensive
Post by: suicidal_orange on Tue, 26 November 2019, 13:45:29
You might as well Buy m0ar monitors.


What are KVN switches

Keyboard, Video and Mouse - the switch lets you press a hotkey and swap between two computers so you don't have to move. 
Title: Re: KVM Switches are so Expensive
Post by: tp4tissue on Tue, 26 November 2019, 15:07:40
It all depends on which KVMs you're after. Older VGA/USB2 models are pretty cheap these days. Multi-input, multi-output with all the modern touches (thunderbolt 3, hdmi, etc etc) will run you a pretty penny.

The Cheapest KVM switch with HDMI is ~ $200

one can buy 2 monitors , 2 mouse + 2 keyboards for that much.
Title: Re: KVM Switches are so Expensive
Post by: _rubik on Tue, 26 November 2019, 15:11:57
It all depends on which KVMs you're after. Older VGA/USB2 models are pretty cheap these days. Multi-input, multi-output with all the modern touches (thunderbolt 3, hdmi, etc etc) will run you a pretty penny.

The Cheapest KVM switch with HDMI is ~ $200

one can buy 2 monitors , 2 mouse + 2 keyboards for that much.


But are those 2 monitors,  2 mice, and 2 keyboards all peripherals you'd want? Maybe not.
Title: Re: KVM Switches are so Expensive
Post by: tp4tissue on Tue, 26 November 2019, 17:18:40
It all depends on which KVMs you're after. Older VGA/USB2 models are pretty cheap these days. Multi-input, multi-output with all the modern touches (thunderbolt 3, hdmi, etc etc) will run you a pretty penny.

The Cheapest KVM switch with HDMI is ~ $200

one can buy 2 monitors , 2 mouse + 2 keyboards for that much.


But are those 2 monitors,  2 mice, and 2 keyboards all peripherals you'd want? Maybe not.

It's that,  or take it up the butt w/ kvm prices,  out of pride,  it's not something a man should do.
Title: Re: KVM Switches are so Expensive
Post by: suicidal_orange on Tue, 26 November 2019, 17:24:51
Is there no decent remote desktop software that could do the same job?
Title: Re: KVM Switches are so Expensive
Post by: _rubik on Tue, 26 November 2019, 19:04:12
Is there no decent remote desktop software that could do the same job?

With remote desktop software you're introducing a lot network lag. It's often fine when in a text based environment, but generally annoying on anything graphical/higher resolution. That and you're relying on a software based solution instead of wire speed.

KVMs are the optimal solution; that said, a lot of datacenters employ IP KVMs (not really for home use, though).
Title: Re: KVM Switches are so Expensive
Post by: Sintpinty on Tue, 26 November 2019, 20:44:12
You might as well Buy m0ar monitors.


What are KVN switches

Keyboard, Video and Mouse - the switch lets you press a hotkey and swap between two computers so you don't have to move.
ok
Title: Re: KVM Switches are so Expensive
Post by: noisyturtle on Tue, 26 November 2019, 21:52:49
Just steal a coworkers station, who needs a switch?
Title: Re: KVM Switches are so Expensive
Post by: suicidal_orange on Wed, 27 November 2019, 04:15:51
Is there no decent remote desktop software that could do the same job?

With remote desktop software you're introducing a lot network lag. It's often fine when in a text based environment, but generally annoying on anything graphical/higher resolution. That and you're relying on a software based solution instead of wire speed.

KVMs are the optimal solution; that said, a lot of datacenters employ IP KVMs (not really for home use, though).

They worked 15 years ago on 100mbit LAN...  Sure there was input lag and the display was choppy when a chunk refreshed, but in this age of streaming games to the internet I expected big improvements.  Obviously someone has to bother to code it though so if you say it's still crap I wont argue :)


Next idea - multi input monitor (aren't they all?) and separate USB switch.  Yes you hve press two buttons to switch but still much easier than moving.
Title: Re: KVM Switches are so Expensive
Post by: yui on Wed, 27 November 2019, 04:52:49
It all depends on which KVMs you're after. Older VGA/USB2 models are pretty cheap these days. Multi-input, multi-output with all the modern touches (thunderbolt 3, hdmi, etc etc) will run you a pretty penny.

The Cheapest KVM switch with HDMI is ~ $200

one can buy 2 monitors , 2 mouse + 2 keyboards for that much.


But are those 2 monitors,  2 mice, and 2 keyboards all peripherals you'd want? Maybe not.

It's that,  or take it up the butt w/ kvm prices,  out of pride,  it's not something a man should do.

well given your taste in color rendition and i guess since you are here keyboards i would be impressed if you could find either for under 200$, and then a kvm takes less desk space.
There was a time when level1tech's Wendel made a very high end custom DP kvm that would let you use hdr trough, it would be perfect for you.
Title: Re: KVM Switches are so Expensive
Post by: Coreda on Wed, 27 November 2019, 04:58:24
There was a time when level1tech's Wendel made a very high end custom DP kvm that would let you use hdr trough, it would be perfect for you.

This one (https://store.level1techs.com/products/kvm-switch-dual-monitor-model)?
Title: Re: KVM Switches are so Expensive
Post by: _rubik on Wed, 27 November 2019, 12:26:27
There was a time when level1tech's Wendel made a very high end custom DP kvm that would let you use hdr trough, it would be perfect for you.

This one (https://store.level1techs.com/products/kvm-switch-dual-monitor-model)?

I forgot how much of a chonker that thing was! I also can't believe they're still selling/stocking those suckers. I guess there's enough demand. I would love to see an updated thunderbolt3 model.
Title: Re: KVM Switches are so Expensive
Post by: yui on Wed, 27 November 2019, 15:32:43
There was a time when level1tech's Wendel made a very high end custom DP kvm that would let you use hdr trough, it would be perfect for you.

This one (https://store.level1techs.com/products/kvm-switch-dual-monitor-model)?
yeah this one, i did not knew either that they still made it, it was announced as a limited batch thing
Title: Re: KVM Switches are so Expensive
Post by: Ckeeb on Wed, 27 November 2019, 17:11:24
I do a quick search on google immediatly :cool: