IOGEAR intros Dual-Link DVI KVMP switch alongside two others
Eager to get busy with multiple workstations on a single monitor, are you? If so, IOGEAR's providing three more ways to get you there, starting with the 2-port GCS1802 and 4-port GCS1804. The $199.95 / $299.95 KVMP (Keyboard, Video, Mouse, Peripheral) switches each enable USB 2.0 peripherals to be shared, and you'll also find support for 2.1 audio. The real winner, however, is the 4-port GCS1204, which handles dual-link DVI with nary a grumble. Granted, that one will set you back a stiff $449.95, but at least it -- along with those other two -- is available right now.
Filed under: Peripherals
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
DarkLightConnection Unbanned @ Apr 29th 2008 11:24PM
For $450 I'd rather get one of those cheap PCs to use as a high-performance VNC client :-)
Remember kids, VNC doesn't have to be a "local" thing... You can extend it to wireless devices, or if you have a smartphone and a fancy pants data plan, you can access your computer from basically anywhere :-)
(Before you start blaming: Yes, I know I'm kinda comparing apples to oranges, and there are situations where you really need this... I'm a KVM switch user myself)
DarkLightConnection Unbanned @ Apr 29th 2008 11:45PM
Dude, speak for yourself and learn to interpret the ":-)" symbols.
And you can thank the flying spaghetti monster that I didn't just post that five-letter word in caps with a ! at the end
andres @ Apr 30th 2008 12:04AM
may his noodly appendage watch over you with beer and strippers
Stuart @ Apr 30th 2008 7:29AM
Wow...none of the information in this post seems accurate. None of the model numbers listed in this blog entry are on the IOGEAR web site. The only new KVMP product shown is a 2 port with model number GCS1782. The last press releases from IOGEAR on new KVMPs was in January at Macworld. Are we missing something? What you describe about the GCS1802 seems great - but doesn't seem to exist. Please clarify....
Alex @ Apr 30th 2008 11:51AM
I've always wondered why KVM switches are so darn expensive. I can understand $100-$200 but $450 for switching USB, Dual-link DVI, and Audio. The only explanation I can fathom is that it requires very high throughput to do the DVI, but then why $200-$300 for the single-link DVI? Most monitors are able to switch DVI inputs and they cost about the same. Anyone know why this stuff is so $$$?
k-y @ Apr 30th 2008 1:35PM
This stuff is so expensive because it's a niche product. KVMs are not used by that many people so hence the cost is kept high. It's worth noting that the GCS1782 is "better" than these offerings because of its lower street price (under $200) and supports 7.1 audio as well as dual-link DVI.
Can't really tell what's newer or better other than the 4-port version of this new 18xx line.