Typically, USB-C KVM switches offer two USB-A ports to connect a pair of keyboard and mouse. But what if you would also like to share other devices like a printer, scanner, or USB flash drive? In the past, KVM switches were only used in workplaces to increase efficiency, but they have also found their way aboard home stations. The market is medium-sized, with several local and international power electronics companies producing these. The switcher also thrives when it comes to audio capabilities, offering analog audio de-embedding features as well as support for DANTE/AES67 network connection to send DANTE/AES67 audio stream directly to a dedicated audio system. Featuring exclusive function by BEZEL Xsoftware, the US3342 allows two laptops to share files and data across two different platforms - Window and Mac, by dragging the mouse from one screen to another. The BEZEL X software makes it easier to control and transfer files in a fingertip. The switch can deliver 4K video at 60Hz, which is impressive for such a small device. You’ll get two USB-C inputs and two USB-out ports on the same side. The HDMI out port is on the other side, so you’ll have trouble choosing a wireless side to face you when you put the switch in your workstation. The device is compatible with most manufacturers. There is no remote, though; a single button lies on the device for switching.

A software KVM can offer distinct benefits over a hardware solution. You can avoid the tangled web of cables, as well as switch between or among PCs through hotkeys or an app, rather than pressing a physical button (although some hardware KVMs offer hotkey-based switching, as well). It doesn’t matter what you’re buying; the first question should always be why. You need to know precisely your requirements before you wander into a store, or all the tech will fog your judgment, and you’ll waste your money. The switch does not use a power adaptor. Instead, it gets power from the USB bus. Of course, that means that one of your computers or the monitor power supply will end up charging the other. For some, it is still a better power consumption profile than powering the switch and your laptops separately. Are you buying the switch for your home setup or an office? What kind of work do you do on your computers? Are you a gamer? How far will the KVM switch be from your computer and peripherals? It would be best if you considered all these factors before you buy.

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There are a few ways to reduce the number, though, and if you’re working with multiple PCs but using the same peripherals, a KVM switch will work wonders for your setup’s aesthetics and efficiency. USB Ports for Peripherals: Four (reserve two for keyboard and monitor; the others for items like a USB headset) Working on a dual-monitor setup is common to many workflows that require multitasking. Because a KVM switch is essentially a multitasking tool, your KVM switch must support more than no displays. The Cable Matters Dual 4K USB-C KVM Switch does this by including two video output ports.

If you’ve only got a laptop and a PC to switch between, you can buy something portable and efficient, with extra features such as charging or wireless remotes. If switching between many computers, you should look for KVM switches with excellent protection and synchronization capabilities. The switch has one HDMI port and supports 4K@60Hz video. Further, each input port has an EDID emulator that informs the host about the display settings, allowing it to tweak the video signals to give you ideal picture quality. USB switches are another KVM alternative, of sorts. They look just like KVMs, and will likely show up in the search results if you're hunting for a KVM from a retailer. But they have one critical difference: no video support. They will only allow for switching of a keyboard and mouse. That means you can switch between computers with a keyboard and mouse, but a standard, inexpensive USB switch will not pass through a video signal. If your monitor has dual video inputs (most do), and you can attach a system to each, that arrangement can work as a KVM surrogate along with a USB switch, but you'll have to switch the display input via the monitor OSD and the peripherals via the USB switch separately. That's a much less elegant solution than a "true" KVM. This KVM from IOGear has the same core features as the previous one: wired remote, two USB ports, and permanently attached input cables. Beyond that, the standout feature is superior video and sound quality, hence the higher price. For video, it provides support for up to 4,096 by 2,160 at 60Hz, whereas the previous IOGear KVM supports 1,920 by 1,080 at 60Hz. This KVM switch from Cable Matters offers several benefits over its competitor when it comes to the sheer video output. This makes it one of the best KVM switches on the market. But it is not without its flaws. So, the use cases for this device become limited, and one must be mindful of a few things before buying this device.

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The TESmart USB-C KVM switch supports up to three inputs at once. All the other devices on our list support two. Video Output KVM switches with only a few PC connections usually do not have a dedicated power supply; they take power from the monitor’s power supply or through the USB bus. Bigger or higher-rated KVM switches usually have dedicated power supplies, especially if they can charge connecting devices. The absence of a dedicated power supply seems attractive, but we only recommend smaller KVM devices, like the ones switching between two or three computers. KVM switches have long since been a major pain in my life. Expensive, oftentimes unreliable and SO. MANY. CABLES. Computers won’t detect KVM switches. Your system will boot normally, and your laptop/PC will detect all peripherals as if they were directly attached to it. How are USB-C ports helpful on KVM switches?