Accessories
Gadget Stimulus Plan Day 9: ATEN USB KVM Switch
We’re trying to close your gadget deficit while the economy’s in the dumps with the Gadget Stimulus Plan. Today we’re giving away an ATEN USB KVM Switch that makes it easy to control two PCs at once. Just plug each end of the KVM cable into each of your PC’s USB ports and you can control both computers with a single keyboard and mouse. There’s no software to download or install.
A KVM switch is useful for users who often switch between PCs or need to use two computers simultaneously.
The ATEN KVM USB Laptop Switch retails for $94.85 and is available at many online retailers, including Buy.com and NewEgg.com.
To learn more about this product and to see some ideas of how you can use it, visit ATEN.com.
There are three ways to enter to win this KVM switch, and you may enter once in each of the three ways.
1) Leave a comment on this article (below) and tell us how you’ll use the ATEN KVM switch and why you want it.
2) Leave a comment on this Notebooks.com article and tell us which two notebooks, tablets or netbooks you’d use this KVM switch with if you could pick any two devices.
3) Go to Twitter.com and tweet the following:
““I entered to win a ATEN USB KVM Switch from the Gadget Stimulus Plan https://tinyurl.com/c5fx68 #GadgetStimulus9â€Â
You have until Sunday, March 29 at 8pm PDT to enter. We’ll assign every entry a number and use Random.org to randomly draw a winner.
This contest is open to residents of the U.S. and Canda, as long as participating in contests like this are legal in your hometown. It’s your responsibility to check local laws and regulations. Those who enter more times than allowed will be disqualified. The winner will be notified by either email (if random comment is chosen) or by an @reply on Twitter (if random tweet is chosen. He/she will have 48 hours to claim the prize and provide shipping info.
Michael Anderson
03/27/2009 at 6:41 am
I have a Mac & PC laptop, and switching all that junk around at my desk is such a hassle I just have one on a TV tray! This would be a godsend!
Clayton
03/27/2009 at 7:05 am
Ha, I was just thinking that I needed one of these. Aside from the fact that I’m always fiddling with another computer and need resources from my main desktop while running both, if I ever get around to running a secondary linux box, this would be indispensable.
Although, a version with monitor switching would probably be better…
nike
03/27/2009 at 8:23 am
I travel a lot of work, and would use this on the road to switch between the mac I use and my pc tablet.
G.Smith
03/27/2009 at 9:40 am
I have two PC’s and an older Belkin KVM switch. This one looks much better than what I’m using now.
Brian S
03/27/2009 at 10:55 am
I troubleshoot friends computers and it would be so nice to just be able to connect them and leave me tower alone.
Chuck
03/27/2009 at 10:57 am
This would help me switch from my Compaq Evo N610c to my WiBrain B1H and back with minimum fuss.
Zhiqiang Zhong
03/27/2009 at 12:13 pm
I plan to separate work machine from my everyday machine with a new netbook. It will be great to control both without losing the comfort to type on a dedicated keyboard.
Howard
03/27/2009 at 12:31 pm
I use to use Synergy to talk with my tablet via my desktop keyboard and mouse, which was annoying since I’d have to have wifi on (or a hardlink) and I’d still have to enable Synergy beforehand.
Walt
03/27/2009 at 1:20 pm
I have two Tablet PC, Motion M1400 and Lenovo X61, with one connected to a 21 Samsung monitor. I use a Logitech MX3200 wireless keyboard and mouse that I have to constantly switch from one PC to the Other. I would sure like to have a master computer with keyboard and large monitor and the 2nd PC as a slave. The compact KVM switch sounds great!
Andrew
03/27/2009 at 2:43 pm
I’d use this to run the desktop that I built, and my Toshiba laptop.
Tanya Anna Wilson
03/27/2009 at 2:56 pm
My hubby would love to use this to hook up his HP dv7 to our desktop for the ultimate poker gaming experience!
Justin
03/27/2009 at 5:34 pm
I use Synergy between my two desktops. It often lags and bugs up. This switch would be a great replacement for Synergy.
Andrew
03/27/2009 at 10:36 pm
I would use the ATEN KVM to my X61T with my desktops at home and workstations at school. It would allow a lot of flexibility with school work and projects with its unique abilities. I would also be able to use my older desktop with my tablet. Working with others would be a joy with its ability to transfer files while also sharing computers.
Grant
03/28/2009 at 3:21 pm
I’m always using my notebook and my desktop right next to each other this would be a great tool to have.
echostryk
03/28/2009 at 4:32 pm
I currently have my laptop and my tablet set up using input director to allow me to control both. However, there are some limitations with this approach and the touchstick scrolling that I’m hoping a hardware solution would fix.
chrisrs
03/28/2009 at 8:55 pm
I would use this with my home desktop and tablet PC
Gregory
03/29/2009 at 1:40 am
i’d use it exactly how it is intended to be used–to link my laptop and my desktop. i’d love it because it would clear up lots of deskspace
SFrick
03/29/2009 at 5:31 pm
I’d used it with my tablet and desktop. That way I could use my USB full size keyboard without having to plug in back an forth.
Tariq
03/29/2009 at 6:26 pm
To control my laptop and pc at the same time