Cheap USB+HDMI KVM

Cheap USB+HDMI KVM

The current situation created the need of social distancing to prevent further spread of the virus, and with it the need to change the daily routine of most employees at every company, often replacing the day in the office with working from home.

The lucky ones who happen to own a desktop with a monitor, keyboard and mouse at home can use it to enhance their home office experience.

An easy and super quick way to swap peripherals between computers is a KVM device (Keyboard Video Mouse), press a button and the change happens. The only issue is that KVMs are rather expensive, often costing more than 100PLN (25$) for very outdated interfaces such as D-SUB and PS/2.

By using an USB switch, a couple of USB-A to USB-B cables, the USB hub inbuilt in most monitors and a HDMI switch its possible to create a custom KVM.

The final result is a cheap but efficient setup that switches very quickly between computers that will make it easier to change between your work and private computer.