ConnectPRO Master-IT USB UR-12 (UR-12-KIT) 2-port KVM Switch

The ConnectPRO has been around for a few years, and has generally been among the highest rated KVM switches in its
price range, so I was quite surprised that no had submitted a review on Epinions .. until now.

The package consists of 4 pieces:

(1) The switch box itself - a sturdy metal box with LED's and a pushbutton on the front, and the input and 1 output sets of jacks on the back.

(2) and (3) 2 sets of professional grade KVM cables, which are basically a 15 pin analog monitor cable joined to a USB cable.

(4) A typical AC power pack.

Here are the specifications, from the manufacturer:

Product Type Analog KVM Switch
Computer Ports 2 x 4-pin Type B USB 2 x 15-pin HD-15 Male Video
Number of Computers 2
Number of Users 1 x Local User
User/Console Ports 1 x 4-pin Type A Keyboard, 1 x 4-pin Type A Mouse, 1 x 15-pin HD-15 Female VGA/SVGA
Form Factor 1U 19" Rack-mountable
Platform Support PC (Windows or Linux), Mac
Graphics Resolution 1920 x 1440 or 1600 x 1200 @ 85Hz Maximum
Video Signals VGA, SVGA or Multisync
Dimensions 1.6" Height x 4.9" Width x 2.7" Depth
Scan Intervals 3, 8, 15 and 30 Seconds
Operating Range 72" (6 feet or 2 meters)
Other Ports 1 x 4-pin Type A USB Device
Video Bandwidth 200MHz
Cable Length 2 x 6ft Cable Included
Input Current 2A
Input Voltage 5 V DC
Additional Information
o Multiple computers share different USB peripherals
o Front panel push buttons for easy computer selection
o No drivers needed for keyboard and mouse operation
o Buzzer sound for port switching confirmation
o Activate Auto Scan by front buttons pressing
o Selectable Scan Time interval
o USB ver 1.1 compliant
o USB self-powered operation
System Requirements
o CONSOLE:
# One VGA, SVGA or Multisync monitor
# One USB keyboard
# One USB mouse
o COMPUTER:
Each USB-enabled computer must be connected to the
UR-Series KVM switch by:
# One HDB15 male-to-female VGA cable
# One USB patch A-B cable with Type A and
Type B plug
Standard Warranty 2 Year
Parts Warranty/Labor Lifetime - cables

Here is some information about the equipment that I am tying together with this KVM switch:

DESKTOP COMPUTER (SONY)

I have a Sony Vaio desktop computer that runs XP Pro. I
use it for personal and work activities ... including DVD
burning, digital photography, etc.


LCD MONITOR (SONY)

My monitor is an 18 inch Sony LCD.


INKJET PRINTER (CANON)

My primary computer printer is a Canon Pixma 4500 - Canadian
model with CD-printing capability. It is attached to a USB
switch, to allow switching between a direct USB connection to a PC, and connection to an I/O Gear print server. This is to allow the printer to be shared within my home LAN, even when I am connected to my Corporate VPN.


WIRELESS KEYBOARD (MICROSOFT)

I use a wireless Microsoft Multimedia Keyboard 1.1


WIRELESS MOUSE (LOGITECH)

I prefer the advanced features of the Logitech mouse, but find the Microsoft keyboard features superior.


LAPTOP PC (LENOVO)

The laptop is a Lenovo T61p with a ThinkPad docking station. It also runs Windows XP Pro. (SP2).

The good news is that this switch was very simple to install, and it really does a beautiful job with all my equipment. I am most pleased, and have no hesitation in recommending the product.

UPDATE - This morning, the switch stopped providing keyboard and mouse service to my desktop PC. I went through the ordinary kinds of troubleshooting, such as connecting devices WITHOUT the switch, swapping KVM cables with my laptop, which is still working fine, restoring XP to an earlier point, etc. Finally, I called ConnectPro.

The person who took my phone call at ConnectPro was Spencer Brown. If the customer support I got from him is the norm at ConnectPro, it is superb. There was no annoying "expert system", no long waits for help, and the person who took my call was the person who helped me handle the full issue.

Spencer asked me to try some more things to try to be sure that the issue is likely within the switch itself, and then he arranged for an RMA, to test and possibly exchange the unit. He was consistently polite, knowledgeable and helpful. I am hopeful that the issue will be handled efficiently and appropriately.

It is not reasonable to assume that every electronic device is perfect .. but a company that helps the customer in the manner I am being helped is a company I feel good about endorsing.

UPDATE #2 - Switch is again functioning well

ConnectPro handled my request for support very well. I was kept informed about status via email, and the switch was returned to me very quickly. They only found one possible issue - a bent pin - and were ready to provide additional support if needed. As things turned out, that was enough - the switch again began to perform solidly. (I do hope that I will not run into the issue again, but it does present a situation in which the the quality of the company behind the product makes a real difference.)