Aten Technologies 4 Port USB Peripheral Sharing Switch

Average customer rating: 3.0

Poor Choice As A Cheap KVM (-V) Solution
does what it says
Excellent for use as a DSL switch between computers
Bare bones USB 1.1, not for keyboard or mouse

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Aten Technologies 4 Port USB Peripheral Sharing Switch

Manufacturer: ATEN TECHNOLOGIES
Product Group: CE
Binding: Electronics
ASIN: B0000510XI

Related Categories:

Audio & Video Accessories

Switches

Switches

Cabinets

Product Description

With the development of the US-401 4 Port USB Switch, ATEN has achieved a USB technological breakthrough - the ability for four PCs to share a single USB device. Access to the USB device is on a one-at-a-time basis; a pushbutton switch located on the top of the unit is all that it takes to select which PC has the active connection.

Customer Reviews:

Poor Choice As A Cheap KVM (-V) Solution.......2006-10-19

This switch only operates if the USB cable connected to port 1 is providing power. This means if you're trying to use the switch to share a peripheral (in my case, a USB hub with my mouse and keyboard connected) between two computers, the computer on port 1 must always be on. If this were redesigned to accept power from any one port (or to use an external power adapter), I might be able to recommend it. As it is, it's a bad choice for anyone who doesn't leave one of their computers on all the time. I'm returning my order.

does what it says.......2006-03-25

Very easy to use device.
I have a laptop and a desktop connected to the same Dell A960 all-in-one printer. The switch is manuall, but that is what i wanted. The important thing is that it allows all of the functions of my all-in-one to work.
Make sure you have USB cables.

Excellent for use as a DSL switch between computers.......2006-01-21

I use this device as a switch for my DSL line between my two computers. There is no degradation in the up and down speeds and the DSL modem uses this switch as a automatic reboot between the two computers. Furthermore, you can use this switch as a safeguard to physically cut off the DSL modem from both computers by switching to one of the unoccupied USB locations. It is a simple, excellent convenience.

Bare bones USB 1.1, not for keyboard or mouse.......2005-11-27

Potential buyers beware!

This switch is for USB 1.1 only. It is not capable for switching keyboard or mouse USB connections, only other peripherials. The way switching works is analogous to unplugging the cable from one computer (losing all peripherials) and connecting to another (and having to go through the discovery process). I did expect a little more from a MSRP $60 product, but at bare minimum it must handle keyboard and mouse. It is going into the great useless USB junk pile...

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Electronics

Electronics