KVM Switch HDMI 2 Port Box,ABLEWE USB and HDMI Switch for 2 Computers Share Keyboard Mouse Printer and one HD Monitor,Support UHD 4K@60Hz,with 2 USB Cable and 2 HDMI Cable

My SetupTwo laptops each with a full-size HDMI portLogitech wireless mouseSteelseries USB keyboard27" Samsung 4K monitor (shared by KVM)24" Dell 1080P monitor (dedicated--not shared by KVM)The Dell monitor has two USB ports. So, I plugged the two cables from the Steelseries USB keyboard into it. Then, I ran the USB cable from the monitor to the KVM USB keyboard port. I plugged the small Logitech wireless mouse transmitter into the KVM USB mouse port. Finally, I ran the HDMI and USB cables for PC1 and PC2 to the two laptops.QuestionWhy not buy a KVM that supports two monitors to two computers?I didn't want to spend that much.My second laptop doesn't support two monitors without additional hardwareFirst ImpressionsThe KVM does not take up much desk space. I like that the light in the button changes color depending on which PC I have active--green for one and blue for two. You must use the button to switch between PCs--it doesn't have any other method for switching. I knew this when I purchased it. If you want a KVM with a keyboard shortcut, you'll have to pay a little more to get it.The Ablewe Two Port HDMI KVM Switch does not have any cable management or mounting capabilities--it's designed to reside on your desk. You could probably stick some double-sided tape on it (or use super glue) to mount it on another surface. I have not noticed any heat build-up on the KVM I purchased. So, it's probably safe to use a DIY mounting mechanism (obviously, you do so at your own risk). I don't mind the minimal desk space it takes.When switching from PC1 to PC2 (or PC2 to PC1) it takes about 3 - 5 seconds for it to complete the switch. Not a deal breaker for me--especially at this price point.It does have one annoyance, however (on Windows at least). All the applications on the shared monitor (the 27" Samsung) for PC1 (which does support dual-monitors) move to the Dell (dedicated to PC1) monitor. Based on my previous experience with KVM switches, I knew this might happen. I don't know of any consumer-grade (less than $500) KVMs that would maintain an "active" monitor signal to the inactive PC and prevent this annoyance.QuestionDoes the KVM still work if you power off one of the two computers?Yes. It does.Verdict5/5 - If you need an inexpensive 2-port HDMI KVM, buy it!

I now have two of these, and they really are junk. This KVM is far too quirky for any casual user. Almost amusingly, as a prelude to the chaos to come, I received this message before I received either of the KVMs:Nov 8, 2022 5:08 PMHi: Thank you for shopping with us. Amazon seller ABLEWE has encountered an unexpected problem with completing your order. --- Message from seller ABLEWE: Dear Sir/Madam, Thanks for choosing ABLEWE KVM Switch. Here we send you some use tips: If you connect mouse/keyboard and monitor at the same time. Please confirm that you have plug both usb cable and hdmi cable from kvm to each laptop. Because the signals transmitted by the Four ports are different. In the case of any problem, please feel free to contact us. Our customer service will be available to solve your problem within 24 hours. Again, thanks for buying. Sincerely, Alice ---There is no customer support as far as I can tell. I did respond to ABLEWE after receiving an email from them about reporting issues. I responded to this message and received only messages that I had “already completed the survey”. I had never even received a survey or any message besides the “ unexpected problem with completing your order” message.So there is exactly ZERO customer support.I bought this to use this primarily with two Apple Mac mini's and sometimes a Samsung Galaxy Windows Notebook. There is nothing wrong with the Mac Minis until they are connected to the KVM. With the ABLEWE KVM both minis struggle to boot with keyboard, mouse and video issues. The Samsung Galaxy Windows notebook behaves oddly as well.The Macs often go into a mode where they detect that they need to update macOS and indeed do proceed with a reinstall which isn’t really a reinstall but something relating to fixing an error… likely in keyboard or mouse configuration. When the KVM does not sense the keyboard properly the Macs often suggest entering a password to unencrypt the disc, which turns off FileVault. Now I simply keep rebooting until they work.My reason for buying the second KVM was that they are cheap and I was hoping that it might be better but it exhibits the exact same issues as well. I have way too much work to get done to screw with these at this time but when I come up for air I will be doing a lot more research before buying.I've used IOGear KVMs for decades, but they invariably need to be replaced with every major macOS update due to sensing video resolution so I didn’t try them again and instead tried the ABLEWE KVM, which is anything but Able.I’ve been playing around with workarounds such as having the Macs never shut off, but stay in sleep mode while the KVM maintains the state with all connected to a UPS. The key to keeping this working is keeping it always on so that the KVM doesn’t lose its cached state. I need to get lots of work done so I'm essentially avoiding shutting anything down. Rebooting can take hours to get it working again.So I’ve bought myself some time to properly research a better KVM. Although I do have this working it is amazingly quirky. I’ve found ways to leave certain components on all of the time to cache settings in the powered KVM, all on a UPS, keeping computers on but in sleep mode. So although these are real junk I’m staying with them for now as I research a bit to get a quality KVM.

The switch itself is very simple. Unlike other switches, the cables are not built into it, so you aren't forced to work with a 6 ft or 2 m set of cables dangling off of it. You can use cables with an appropriate length.The button for switching devices is ringed with a light that changes from blue to green to indicate the output.One other positive is that the device passes on the identity of the keyboard and mouse as opposed to other switches that only indicate that it's a keyboard and mouse, which is important if you have software configured for a specific device. For example, Logitech devices can be configured in software to map the buttons to different features. This KVM switch allows for that because the compute can see what the device is.One area of improvement is that the KVM inputs are all on the front of the switch. I use a wireless keyboard and mouse, but the monitor cable has to run be routed around to plug into the front. Not the greatest design, especially if you have a wired keyboard and mouse. A better design would be to place the inputs on the side, or have everything on the back. The switch needs to be accessible and having wires running front and back makes placement difficult as well as keeping it settled on the desktop. It's a fairly compact switch, so design decisions like what I'm proposing could change the form factor a lot, and not necessarily in good ways.Aside from the cable routing issue, the switch is great and works very well.