Sabrent USB Type C KVM Switch Review, hardware control of two computers with dream performance

Since we started studying the world of KVM Switches, we have learned a lot of construction details and relative choices among the projects of the various models: Sabrent USB Type C KVM Switch is not without compromises, but offers high-level performance with suitable choices to those with very high demands. Let's see why.

  • 1 Sabrent USB Type C KVM Switch, the review
  • 1.1 What is a KVM Switch
  • 1.2 Simple Installation
  • 1.3 How it works
  • 1.4 All natural
  • 1.5 Considerations
  • 1.6 Pros:
  • 1.7 Cons:
  • 1.8 Price:
  • Sabrent Switch KVM USB Type C Review

    What is a KVM Switch

    Little is said about this category of products, but those who have tried them have understood how useful they can become. Basically, it is an accessory that allows you to share display, mouse and keyboard between two different computers, which can be of various types.

    Usually a button allows you to select the jump from the first computer to the second or vice versa: the display stops showing the signal of the first and shows the second, and so the mouse and keyboard. When the second computer is active, the first continues to work, but without a display, mouse and keyboard.

    In a server room this allows you to save on accessories, but also at the client level it is convenient, especially for those who in Smart Working have to organize at home on several working environments (simultaneously).

    Simple installation

    The installation phase is very simple: inside the box there is the Sabrent Switch KVM USB Type C, a bracket for attaching to the desk (but no screws), which in any case is not mandatory because the switch can safely stop anywhere and the two cables USB-C / USB-C for connection to average modern computers.

    The wired remote control, the only useful user interface after installation, is connected to the switch directly and cannot be removed.

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    Being the Sabrent USB Type C KVM Switch a product that works exclusively on hardware with all hot connections, no software or drivers are needed, and obviously works with all operating systems. We've tried it on Windows 10 and macOS, but there's no reason to say it doesn't work properly on others as well (as long as you have at least one USB-C port).

    Recensione Sabrent Switch KVM USB Tipo C, controllo hardware di due computer con prestazioni da sogno The small remote control in the center of the two computers controls the Sabrent USB Type C KVM Switch and places the mouse, keyboard and screen swtich between the Mac (left) and the Lenovo PC (Right)

    How does it work

    At first glance it is not easy to understand so we spend a few lines to tell how the Switch works: this connects to two computers via the supplied USB-C cables (one per computer) and offers two USB-A 2.0 ports to connect typically mouse and keyboard, but the user is free to connect the device he prefers.

    Two other USB-C ports are available to charge computers, in the case of laptops, with a power up to 60W: the switch itself does not need power, we assume that it takes it from the USB ports of the computer, anyway the power needed to operate the switch and mouse and keyboard is very little.

    There is a last HDMI port that instead goes to a display, which together with the mouse and keyboard will be shared between the two computers. The switch takes place via the small remote control that does not clutter and can be placed anywhere, even away from the control, which in turn can be anchored via the bracket under the desk.

    Recensione Sabrent Switch KVM USB Tipo C, controllo hardware di due computer con prestazioni da sogno Here it is the KVM Switch, hidden as usual: from the left you can recognize the HDMI cable, the dongle for the Razer mouse, the cable for the Apple keyboard, the two USB cables -C for the respective computers and the white cable that goes to the power supply to charge the MacBook Pro

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    All natural

    The installation, once you understand where to put the cables, is a matter of a couple of minutes: what remains is a magical operation. Sabrent USB Type C KVM Switch is basically blazing fast, powerful and with some really rare features in this market.

    Starting with the possibility of using a 4K video signal at 60Hz, when most of the Switches on the market stop at 30Hz. It must be said that in the typical use of this type of accessories the frequency does not have that much importance, however it is a real shame because most of the 4K displays are precisely at 60 Hz or higher, which leads to greater fluidity in the use of the signal, which can also be perceived with the naked eye.

    1 of 3 Recensione Sabrent Switch KVM USB Tipo C, controllo hardware di due computer con prestazioni da sogno Recensione Sabrent Switch KVM USB Tipo C, controllo hardware di due computer con prestazioni da sogno Recensione Sabrent Switch KVM USB Tipo C, controllo hardware di due computer con prestazioni da sogno

    The USB 2.0 ports are perfect for mouse and keyboard: we have alternated a Razer DeathAdder V2 Pro and a Razer Pro Click as a mouse and a Razer Pro Type and an Apple Magic Keyboard as keyboards without the slightest problem, although in all these cases they are. it is a device with high data traffic or high energy demand.

    The passage, once the remote control is clicked, is a matter of half a second, plus about a second for the operating system to recognize the hardware and capture the video signal (in our case there was a 4K LG 27UL850 display).

    1 of 3 Recensione Sabrent Switch KVM USB Tipo C, controllo hardware di due computer con prestazioni da sogno Recensione Sabrent Switch KVM USB Tipo C, controllo hardware di due computer con prestazioni da sogno Recensione Sabrent Switch KVM USB Tipo C, controllo hardware di due computer con prestazioni da sogno

    The only flaw of this KVM Switch is that it has few ports: nowadays, especially in 2020, it is not difficult to find other devices that are nice to share between computers such as printers, microphones, webcams or USB dongles and the limitation of two ports, mostly USB 2.0, suggests that there is room for growth in this sector.

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    However, it should be emphasized that, in the classic sharing, this Sabrent USB Type C KVM Switch is really extremely capable, powerful and precise in operation, because after almost a month of operation it has not yet missed a beat.

    Recensione Sabrent Switch KVM USB Tipo C, controllo hardware di due computer con prestazioni da sogno It is small and does not disturb, so it leaves space for other things on the desk, but the remote control of the switch is essential

    Considerations

    We have to admit, it's easy to get excited about how this KVM Switch works. Because an apparently trivial job (but 60 Hz are not at all, since the market is standardized on half) corresponds to an impeccable operation.

    Which really means getting productive with two computers that can be of different types: a productivity computer and a server, two clients (like a Mac and a Windows PC) or (more often than not) even two servers.

    Of course, a hardware solution like this is, in some ways, in competition with software such as Parallels Desktop (because we can have a virtual machine instead of a physical computer), Parallels Access (for remote connection via the network) or Microsoft Remote Desktop, for connections on a local network or for remote work, but it is clear that users have to make their own conclusions, because each of the solutions reported inevitably has pros and cons that only the individual user can evaluate.

    Recensione Sabrent Switch KVM USB Tipo C, controllo hardware di due computer con prestazioni da sogno The System Information window showing that the LG display is running at 60Hz which is a very high value considering most KVMs Switch stops in the middle.

    Pros:

    • Powerful and fast • Transmits 4K video at 60Hz • Can charge laptops up to 60W

    Cons:

    • Only two USB ports available

    Price:

    • 98.99 Euro

    Readers can find Sabrent USB Type C KVM Switches directly from the Amazon.it pages.

    1 thought on “Sabrent USB Type C KVM Switch Review, hardware control of two computers with dream performance”

    1. Hi! Thanks for the review.

      Could you please tell me if this KVM is capable of resolution of 2k at 120hz? The specifications says it supports “up to 4k@60hz”, but it doesn’t say anything about lower resolutions at higher refresh rates (what I’m more interested in).

      I would like to know this before purchasing. Thank you!

      Reply

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