Recommendations for high-end KVM/dock for work + personal

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Recommendations for high-end KVM/dock for work + personal

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Junta

270 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#3106319 20-Jul-2023 16:04

amanzi:

New KVM docking stations from Anker:

https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Docking-Station-Laptops-DisplayPort/dp/B0C5347FML
https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Docking-Station-Laptops-DisplayPort/dp/B0C532J5JW
Found via this article: https://www.iclarified.com/91096/anker-debuts-new-usbc-docking-station-with-kvm-switch

Seems to tick all the original requirements.

Good spot! That's perfect. Shame its $545 NZD ... suppose it depends how badly I want one 😅

amanzi

Amanzi
1292 posts

Uber Geek

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#3106324 20-Jul-2023 16:16

Well you did ask for a "high-end" recommendation... :-)

Ruphus

465 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3107555 24-Jul-2023 13:10

I'm in the middle of testing a solution for my setup at the moment. My setup is a single Samsung CRG9 (5120x1440@120hz) with a gaming PC and work laptop connected to a dock. I wanted a KVM that supports the resolution at the 120Hz refresh rate. Unfortunately, there isn't a lot of options for a high end KVM.

You haven't mentioned what resolutions your monitors support as that can determine the cost of the KVM. For me, I'm looking at KVMs that support DP1.4 (aka 8K KVMs) as DP1.4 supports higher resolutions and refresh rates (>60Hz). This limits which KVMs are available and more importantly, what can be sourced locally.

Higher end DP1.4 KVMs are limited to Rextron or LevelOneTech with dual monitor support.

I've been testing this out for the last week but this only supports a single monitor without USB inputs. I'm using a multi-device keyboard and mouse (Logitech MX Keys and Mouse) so can change devices when needed. One thing that I did have to do is to upgrade and shorten my DisplayPort cables. I grabbed a couple of 1m 8K DP cables along with an 8K USB C to DP cable. Before that, I was not able to get a signal from my work laptop.

I occasionally have signal issues with my work laptop and the monitor flickers from time to time.

sdemler

12 posts

Geek

#3113735 9-Aug-2023 14:41

I was also looking for a similar setup and explored a number of options. The conclusion I came to was that there appears to be significant manufacturing difficulty is really in switching the monitors and the amount of information moving around puts this in the too hard basket particularly when you get to the high bandwidths of Thunderbolt, HDMI 2.1 and DP2 levels.

I've given up looking for an all in one KVM solution now and as long as you are comfortable with the auto-switch or command driven macros to switch monitor inputs then a bog standard usb KVM switcher for everything else does the job. One thing that is worthwhile being aware of particularly if you want to switch usb audio type inputs is the amount of electrical noise.

everettpsycho

614 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3113912 9-Aug-2023 19:17

I have this exact set up you've ended up with, I use a Dell wd15 for laptops and then a ugreen USB switcher for the dell and desktop PCs to connect to. Both the dock and desktop are directly wired in to the monitors and I just switch inputs as and when required.

One thing I also have is an old dell monitor in my set up wired in to the ugreen switch so it's a half decent USB powered hub running the more power hungry peripherals like the audui interface instead of the small switch that has hardly any power, the switch is purely data to cut the dells ports between devices

Is it perfect, nope, but for about $30 on AliExpress it does all I need and can switch between the systems quick and easy with a few button presses.

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