KVM switch for dual monitor VGA, any advice?

I have been looking at getting my personal desktop back up and running. I took it down when I converted my office to a kids room.

I have a desk setup for my work with the normal stuff; laptop w/ docking station, 2 monitors, keyboard, mouse, usb headset, and printer.

I'd like a KVM that will allow me to share the same 2 monitors, the same keyboard and mouse (1 wireless dongle for the pair), and my USB headset.


The question of video out from my machines is making me think I need to stick with VGA for the KVM.
My laptop docking station has 1 Display Port, 1 VGA, and 1 DVI port.
My desktop has 4 DVI ports.

These specs are likely to change at some point. DVI is (nearly) a dead video port. My desktop is aging and a rebuild will be in it's future at some point. Also, work is rolling out new laptops as slowly as they can, eventually my docking station and laptop will be replaced.

My monitors have ports for VGA and HDMI.


There are a few choices on Amazon starting at $100 and going up from there. I don't want to spend a fortune on this if I don't have to. Any advice, brand/model you've bought and found perfectly functional?

Thanks.


Edit - DVI to HDMI and VGA to HDMI adapters aren't *that* expensive. I can get 4 adapters to convert my video ports to HDMI for about $30, which will get me from the computers to the KVM. KVM out to monitors is HDMI and not an issue.
https://www.amazon.com/FOINNEX-Conve...tronics&sr=1-6
https://www.amazon.com/Benfei-Bidire...tronics&sr=1-5

I just need to figure out which one I get. I don't do a lot of PC gaming, but I'd sure like to be able to if I want to. I notice some of the switches don't support very many video definitions.

Its an older unit but until just recently I was happily using one of these high end dual-link-dvi multi-monitor IOGear boxes with a desktop and two laptops, also sharing audio and a usb headset. It worked great and also came with some Mini DisplayPort to DVI input adapters. The downside is that it only supports DVI and HDMI output to the monitors. (But it does support dual-link DVI for qhd/4k monitors)

https://www.iogear.com/product/GCS1644DPKIT/

It was quite pricey back in the day but within your budget now.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by xiondavis

Its an older unit but until just recently I was happily using one of these high end dual-link-dvi multi-monitor IOGear boxes with a desktop and two laptops, also sharing audio and a usb headset. It worked great and also came with some Mini DisplayPort to DVI input adapters. The downside is that it only supports DVI and HDMI output to the monitors. (But it does support dual-link DVI for qhd/4k monitors)

https://www.iogear.com/product/GCS1644DPKIT/

It was quite pricey back in the day but within your budget now.

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here is a two computer version

https://www.newegg.com/iogear-gcs164...&source=region

The problems with a lot of the KVM is the issue with high end video feed. The ones that support the higher displays can get expensive.

My sort of solution was to get a Monoprice Blackbird to allow easy switching between video devices. I stuck to the dual keyboard / mice solution set than trying to reuse my old IOGear hardware.

Now if both computers were laptops it might be possible to re-plug in a docking station that would allow a rapid change in accessories when using video over USB 3.1c.

And odd ball solution is to remote desk top access to the other computer.