Dual Monitor KVM suggestions

[_Bryan]

Does anyboby use a dual monitor KVM or have reccomendations for one?

It seems lately that I am having to use multiple computers for some programming for a project and the multiple mice and keyboards are driving me crazy.  But now that I think of it my monitors have multiple inputs, so I guess I could use just a keyboard/mouse switch if I had to (and they make them).  I do not want to loose the dual screens for each computer and most reviews seem sketchy.

Bryan

[pallen]

Looks like Star Tech might have something that would work. http://ca.startech.com/Server-Management/KVM-Switches/2-Port-DVI-VGA-Dual-Monitor-KVM-Switch-USB-wit... If you do go with Star Tech, be sure to get yourself an OEM account.

[Hooovahh]

I usually just setup remote desktop and remote into the other PC.  You can set it up to span multiple monitors or fit full screen on just one.

[_Bryan]

Thanks for the answers, I will look into them.

[Intaris]

If you're going the remote desktop route, make sure to read this note very carefully.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/remote-desktop-connection-faq#1TC=windows-7

Only Win 7 Ultimate and Enterprise support this.  For Windows 8, you need Win 8 pro apprently.

But regarding a desktop KVM, I have been using one of these

http://eng.aten.eu/products/KVM/Desktop-KVM-Switches/4-Port-USB-DVI-Dual-Link-KVM-Switch-with-Audio-...

for years without any issues whatsoever.  I'd buy it again if I needed another one.

[_Bryan]

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@Intaris wrote:

If you're going the remote desktop route, make sure to read this note very carefully.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/remote-desktop-connection-faq#1TC=windows-7

Only Win 7 Ultimate and Enterprise support this.  For Windows 8, you need Win 8 pro apprently.

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I had to find that out the hard way before.  Win 7 Pro also supports remote desktop.

[Intaris]

Yeah, win7 pro supports remote desktop, but not the multimonitor option.  Only Win 7 enterprise and ultimate do that.

[Hooovahh]

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@Intaris wrote:

Yeah, win7 pro supports remote desktop, but not the multimonitor option.  Only Win 7 enterprise and ultimate do that.

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Really?  I remember some kind of command line option of /span mentioned here.

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/kirillosenkov/archive/2009/04/10/remote-desktop-span-across-multiple-monitor...

Does that command line switch not work in pro?

The more I hear about the limitations the more I feel like a 3rd party remote software should be used.  There are several free ones.

[_Bryan]

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@Intaris wrote:

Yeah, win7 pro supports remote desktop, but not the multimonitor option.  Only Win 7 enterprise and ultimate do that.

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You mean I should have read all the way down to the bottom?  Oops. 

I only have Pro here at work, and so far it seems to be working OK.  I kind of remember playing with the command line span a while back, but I forgot all about it.

Thanks

[Intaris]

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@Hooovahh wrote:

Really?  I remember some kind of command line option of /span mentioned here.

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/kirillosenkov/archive/2009/04/10/remote-desktop-span-across-multiple-monitor...

Does that command line switch not work in pro?

The more I hear about the limitations the more I feel like a 3rd party remote software should be used.  There are several free ones.

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But "proper" multimonitor support does not span one desktop across multiple monitory (the LV Getting started window always appears "between" my 2 monitors).

See here for the differences:

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/rds/archive/2009/07/01/using-multiple-monitors-in-remote-desktop-session.asp...

True multimonitor support where the desktop is spanned over X different monitors (each of which with perhaps different resolutions and orientations) with a maximised window filling ONLY the monitor in which it is maximised is limited to Win 7 Enterprise and Ultimate.  This /multimon option is significantly better than /span and (despite MS originally stating the opposite) is NOT supported in Win 7 pro.