Introduction:

Aten CS661 Laptop KVM Switch

   Aten-USA is a company I’ve checked out before, not surprisingly, both times it was a KVM switch. If you don’t know already, that’s because that is all Aten does. KVM’s, are used to control 2 or more computers from a single set of “Keyboard, Video and Mouse”. Almost every computer repair shop and server farm admin uses or wants to use a KVM. It keeps the costs down, and just make things easier to deal with. Server farms can have hundreds of computers controlled by half a dozen KVM switches that takes up only a single "U" worth of space. If you've ever seen '24' you've seen them go to the giant server room and pull out a sled that has a LCD monitor and keyboard built in, that is a KVM unit.

Aten CS661

Features

For Laptops

The first KVM I reviewed from Aten was good, it had its issues, but it was one of the first generation of KVM’s to include both USB and DVI connectors. Then a few months ago, I was able to check out the next iteration Aten had produced.

I really liked the CS1782 when I first reviewed it, but after using it for the last few months, I have to say that I like it even more. They have practically perfected a KVM for use with modern gaming hardware.

Connection diagram

2 Computers

The interface

Most KVM’s however, are meant for desktop and server hardware, and they aren’t very portable. Take a look at the CS1782, it’s got more cables than you can shake a stick at. So what do you do if you want to use a KVM with a laptop, or you have to move around a lot to different systems?

Aten’s answer is the CS661, which at first glance, doesn’t look like a KVM switch at all. It almost looks like a USB hub with an extra cable attached. Both cables have male USB ends, and there is one female USB port on the unit itself.

Features:

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