Best Home KVM Switch

March 8, 2020 9:56 PM

Please recommend a quality 2-port KVM switch to use in my home office! Details and requirements inside.

I only need to switch between two devices; a Surface Pro and my desktop rig. I have two Dell monitors I connect using daisy-chained DisplayPorts. Corsair gaming keyboard and mouse.

Moving all the cables around to switch between the two devices is getting a little old, so it's time to invest in a KVM switch. Here's what it needs to have:

Required: DisplayPort 1.2 compatible, EDID Emulation, hot-key switchable.
Desired: DDM-class USB. Under $300.

Essentially I need as smooth a transition as possible without re-detecting devices, re-configuration lag, and re-arranging windows.

Would also be nice if it was just the switch and no extra cables; I have a bucketful with everything I need in it. Hard-wired outputs are the next best option but would need to be at least 6 ft long.

It seems pretty ubiquitous but if you're aware of something lacking audio switching in exchange for a slightly smaller price tag, I'm all for it; I don't need it.

Thanks in advance for recommendations!

posted by SquidLips to Technology (6 answers total)

Have you considered something like Synergy instead?

You install Synergy on both computers, and then use one keyboard/mouse to run them both.
posted by Wild_Eep at 9:17 AM on March 9, 2020

Best answer: I have a ConnectPro KVM and it is the most solid KVM I have ever used. Yes on EDID, DDM, and hotkeys.

Their DisplayPort KVM is new and they were backordered for a while, so check before ordering.
posted by grouse at 10:46 AM on March 9, 2020

Response by poster: Synergy isn't what I'm looking for; I don't want / need to see both machines on both screens at once. I want both screens to show one device, then push a button and have the screens (and peripherals) to simply switch to the other device. Using Synergy might work if I only wanted one screen for each device but that's a no-go for me (as would be installing such software on my Surface, which is a work laptop so they frown on outside software).

The ConnectPro referenced looks perfect, and is even available without cables, if not a little pricier than I had hoped. Sadly, however, they are indeed back-ordered by "at least 5 weeks due to coronavirus issues with the parts supplier". *sigh* Stupid virus. Additional recommendations that I can get my hands on before summer are welcome!
posted by SquidLips at 3:19 PM on March 9, 2020

Can you use one of the HDMI models and DisplayPort-to-HDMI converters?
posted by grouse at 7:04 AM on March 10, 2020

Response by poster: I could go the HDMI route but that would require the two additional adapters, more cords (since DP to HDMI adapters require a USB power source), and just more mess on my desk, not to mention the more junk in the middle the less likely it is to work the way I want it. I could reduce that somewhat since my desktop has dual DVI outputs which are a simple modular in-line conversion to HDMI, but it's still double the cords I'd like to deal with.

I will likely just endure the cord switching until the ConnectPro becomes available in a couple months. Appreciate the input!
posted by SquidLips at 8:48 AM on March 10, 2020 [1 favorite]

ConnectPro also has DVI models. (I understand that still might be sub-ideal for you, just wanted to make sure you knew.)
posted by grouse at 1:20 PM on March 10, 2020