IOGEAR 4x4 USB Sharing Switch Review - Share 4 USB devices with 4 Computers

Buy one on Amazon: lon.tv/nvlsu (compensated affiliate link) - I found this USB switch to be super helpful for my secondary office space upstairs. I can easily switch a keyboard, mouse and webcam between four different devices. See my MiSTer series for more on FPGA's : lon.tv/mister and subscribe! lon.tv/s
VIDEO INDEX:
00:00 - Intro
01:23 - Hardware Overview & Included cables
01:55 - Ports & power
03:13 - Switch Button
03:41 - Hooking It Up
05:43 - Device Switching
06:30 - Webcams
07:20 - My Work Flow
08:36 - Data Throughput
09:52 - Conclusion
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[@dpt17]

Good review Lon. I can vouch for this 100%. I use this exact same device to switch my mouse, keyboard, video cam, and usb headset between my personal PC desktop and my work Mac laptop. It's great.

[@serialtoon]

Bought one! I was previously using a software solution (Windows - Mouse without Borders) and (Windows+macOS - Symless Synergy) and although the solution is ok, i would get annoyed that there were times where the mouse would lag or have random disconnects, especially when i would go Windows + macOS with Synergy. I bit the bullet after watching this video. Thanks!!

[@jasonluong3862]

Iogear makes the best KVM switches. I use this brand exclusively for my KVM switches for years.

[@gudenau]

I do wonder if we will ever get to a point where it would be possible to have shared devices. For HID there would need to be a sort of "claim" to switch depending on context. Mass storage could be shared more like a NAS. This would be quite a complex software and hardware stack I feel...

[@lezzard]

Cable Matters has a slightly better 4x4 USB 3 switch. Power input is on the back (where it should be) and is USB-C instead of micro USB, the power adapter is included, has individual buttons for switching directly to the device you want (instead of having to cycle through all 4) and also has an IR remote control.

[@SCscoutguy]

Lon how is the latency for this device? Would you notice any difference if you run your mouse and keyboard through it as opposed to directly connected to the PC for FPS gaming?

[@lezzard]

I can’t vouch for this particular switch, but the general rule is generic usb switches like this one should be okay and act like a regular hub in terms of latency. Kvms that poll the keyboard for specific hotkeys to trigger the switch are the ones that add noticeable latency. I use a similar 4x4 switch made by Cable Matters to share my keyboard, mouse and USB headset between my PC and PS5. It works perfectly without any measurable latency.

[@pcphoenix123]

Do you know of a kvm switch that does what this device does plus supports a 100hz monitor?

[@purplefuku]

"...which I've been using for a while, but never got around to reviewing..." & "You last purchased this item on November 28, 2019" I think that's almost the entire review right there! I mean, if you buy it yourself AND actually use it day-to-day for over a year... 😂

[@antikommunistischaktion]

What I hate is they put the power input on the front, right in the way of the front USB ports instead of in the back or on the side with a right angle cable included.

[@DivineMisterAdVentures]

ALTERNATIVE (HIGHER) VALUE USE MODE for this switch: I'm in a transient search for a solution to a personal network without any complexity for 3 PC's - this fits but I may decide on something like an AMBER device or whatever else I can find will eliminate the cost and headaches of a full NAS. On one port I want to run an old school RAID, just for multiple drives. That is my "single point of truth" and backup device which is the priority. I plan on powering it down because it's not solid state, and powering it up for use. So that's my usage mode and why I gave up on the NAS as over-the-top, And why I won't have trouble with drives on it - AS LONG AS THERE'S NOT AN ISSUE WITH THE CHAIN!

[@williamwilkinson8289]

? How do you link your 2 Google account to each other?

[@beetwing]

I have tried all kind of solutions, but none really worked for me when it was time to plug keyboard, controllers and mouse that do usb polling at 1000hz or higher resulting in those disconnecting or not responding. Is that one handle this right? USB polling is really important when example it’s time to play on MisTer to reduce input lag which like myself, many are sensitive (well the reason to use Mister over emulation).

[@LonSeidman]

I think for the least amount of lag you’ll want to directly connect - this is essentially a usb hub and will be in between your device and host bus. I have seen any mouse problems with this one even with the high speed polling on but I’m not sure what its own internal polling rate is.

[@zeroturn7091]

I use a Sabrent device with a USB hub in front for two desktops. My only gripes are no hot key switching, and if you use a device that authenticates cards it’ll fall off device manager.

[@erickruse4679]

i wonder if there is a thunderbolt switch with USB 3.x ports that has 10gbps on each usb port. I see the Rocketeck 40Gbps Thunderbolt 3 USB C Docking Station Hub, but nobody has reviewed it, and it doesn't have a switch, and that is the closest I've found.

[@LacayoDe]

What you are missing is a remote 2.4ghz switch to turn of pcs.. I have it on my hackintosh and on my work computer meaning I can turn on / of my machines from a distance and use the same keyboard / mice camera wirh both of them all without leaving my chair

[@drusso66]

Do you know if this works ok with wireless keyboard mouse and keyboard so you would plug a dongle in the front.

[@LonSeidman]

Yes it’ll work fine with those

[@LacayoDe]

Just bought it 😂

[@josepedrocarmo5885]

Made my own with regular switches - works fine with USB 2.0 devices...

[@meldridgereedjr2842]

You can use USB video adapter to switch your monitor.

[@markloughtonUK]

The LEDs on the box should have been put on the switch so that the box could be mounted out of sight and you would then still know which input is active.

[@bradyperez8833]

Why don't I see a link to the product?

[@LonSeidman]

Did you click the affiliate link the description?

[@bradyperez8833]

@@LonSeidman I can't believe I couldn't see that, Thanks

[@Jkauppa]

and with hdmi

[@williamwilkinson8289]

Oh on your iPhone? I connected it to my laptop but not my iPhone

[@Projekt_D.U.F]

The Cabel Manegmant It not good!

[@heatherpearson7083]

Hello

[@lewiskelly14]

I think it's awful design to have the USB power input on the front

[@ModernGeekReview]

i don't like IOGEAR product they don't update the drivers.

[@axelkusanagi4139]

Wait til I tell him about KVMs. Jk, this is actually a pretty good product.

[@glennwilliams9902]

Ughhh its a dumb switch. Man I was hoping this switch would be smart enough to recognize 2 or 3 devices and not do the 4th step. Unfortunate

[@john_hind]

Arghh! Stupid, stupid design! What is the point in extending the button on a flying lead if you still have to be able to see the LEDs on the main box? If they put the LEDs on the button box then you could address your cable management by hiding the main box under the desk, and all those cables could be shorter as well! I actually bought one (from a different manufacturer) which had button and LEDs built in and got out the soldering iron and extended buttons and LEDs myself!