StarTech.com 2-Port DisplayPort KVM Switch & 4 in 1 DisplayPort KVM Switch Cable

I purchased this because I have my home computer and a computer issued by my workplace. Another challenge I have is my monitors only have one DP connection on them. Coming from the IT world and using KVMs in datacenters, I knew a product like this was going to be the easiest choice to get what I needed with the least amount of hassle -- and there would be a price tag for that convenience.That said, it works great once I got over this device's learning curve. Like others, I sometimes had trouble with the logitech unifying receiver not working when switching between devices. I had my receiver plugged into a USB hub, connected to the KVM. This is apparently not a good idea. Once I moved the receiver to the KVM's "Keyboard" USB port, that problem went away.I've never had any kind of video dropouts. Image quality is great. Two older Dell UltraSharp monitors at 1080p60 are working without any issue.The only thing that would have made this any better would be a much lower price than what I paid. However, I recognize this is a niche device and StarTech is amazing at making niche hardware that cater to my needs.

Unfortunately, I never got the opportunity to try this out. Mostly, I had hoped to upgrade from a still-owned Steetek KVM switch to this Startech.com SV231DPDDUA KVM. However, after disconnecting the Steetek (which, by the way, works well in a two 2012 Mac Pro system) and upon connecting up both Mac Pros to the SV231DPDDUA, the used Startech.com KVM, blew up the boot SSD drive to my main Mac Pro. The boot SSD showed no signs of slowing down or doing anything that could identify it as a failing drive, prior to my Mac Pro’s connection to the SV231DPDDUA KVM.I can’t prove that my boot SSD was wrecked by this used Startech.com SV231DPDDUA KVM switch, but it has to be one of the strangest coincidences in history, that upon starting up for the very first time with this KVM switch, that my main Mac Pro wouldn’t boot up from its boot SSD. From that point on, my main Mac Pro wouldn’t boot from its internal boot SSD. Replacing my boot SSD, cost, with tax and shipping, around $318.00. Due to having a running Time Machine backup, I was, at least, able to rebuild my boot SSD, containing years of work data. It also led me to even further back up my data with the addition of a 12TB Hard Drive, another outlay of more than $400, just to make sure that I don’t lose any of my years of data.So, if I were to buy one of the $70.00 used versions of one of these Startech.com SV231DPDDUA KVM, now, I would get some kind of written guarantee from Amazon or whomever is underwriting its sale, that if it wrecked any of my equipment or software, that my losses would be covered.I doubt that I would’ve had the same problem if this had been a brand new unit from Startech.com and I want to make that clear. My guess is that the company that sells these Startech.com SV231DPDDUA KVM switches, Consolidated Global Dynamics didn’t properly test these units, or at the very least, didn’t test the one that they shipped to me, before offering it up for sale.All in all, in terms of time lost, dealing with rebuilding my Mac Pro’s boot drive, more than two weeks was lost, ordering, shipping and rebuilding the data from the wrecked SSD drive and fortifying my backup network to make sure that something like this wouldn’t destroy years and years of data.My story, here, is a cautionary tale. If you’re interested in purchasing the Startech.com SV231DPDDUA KVM switch, don’t cheap-out, like I did. Pay the full amount for a brand new SV231DPDDUA KVM switch, directly from Startech.com. Your chances of getting a defective unit that may wreck your boot drive are much less if you buy new from Startech.com and you will save yourself weeks of headaches and trouble trying to restore your boot and, possibly other drives, from being wrecked by a faulty KVM switch.Luckily, I was able to return my defective SV231DPDDUA KVM switch to Amazon and get my money back. It doesn’t make up for lost time but it did reimburse me for money spent for a device that, not only didn’t meet my expectations, but wrecked a boot SSD that took weeks to rebuild.

Using the SV231DPDDUA2 2-port Dual Display DisplayPort 4k 60Hz unit for this review. Bought it myself for home office use.Initial reactions:- hefty and well-built, and compact too- a TON of ports on the back, like 4 USB ones to plug in devices (i.e. keyboard & mouse or web cam)- no cables (aside from power supply) in the packaging -- **PLEASE** make sure you buy DisplayPort cables (with spares! these things are fickle and I am glad I had some extra laying around) and the proper USB cables to connect your PC to this deviceContext:I am running two monstrous 1440p displays. I've got a Dell/Alienware AW3418DW (34" Ultrawide 3440x1440 120Hz monitor) and an Acer XB270HU (27" 2560x1440 144Hz monitor). When connected to my main PC with its NVidia GTX 1080, I am able to power both monitors directly through the KVM with no flickering AT THE MAXIMUM REFRESH RATES. That's right, I actually am able to use G-Sync through this KVM -- even when gaming.The Good:Had a bunch of issues during initial set-up so I called the tech support line. My tech, YIPENG from Ottawa(?), was incredible. After an initial text chat, he offered to call me to provide better support, and I am glad he did. For the next forty-five (45) minutes, he patiently walked me through a number of resets and tests to help me diagnose and work around my issue. I seriously cannot say enough about how much Yipeng helped -- I was about to return this KVM, but instead I found joy.The Bad:My other computer is a Lenovo Thinkpad T470, docked in a Lenovo Thinkpad Ultra Dock (model starts with 40A2 and its the weaker of the two in terms of watts -- maybe 135W?). This dock and laptop combination is NOT ideal for for this KVM because the dock cannot put out the signal strength required but I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT WORK! After much trial and error with Yipeng, we got it figured out: one DisplayPort output from the dock to the KVM, one USB-C to DisplayPort cable from docked laptop's USB-C port to the KVM. It's not perfect but it actually lets me run both of my giant monitors with little to no flickering.The Ugly (main issues):- when switching between the two connected computers, the KVM actually *disconnects* the monitors from the computer that is not in use. This means when you switch back, a lot of your programs/windows will be scattered around your main monitor. This just means I don't switch back and forth unless necessary.- the hardware reset process is a CHORE. You have to disconnect all cables, shut everything(!) down, power cycle the KVM, then slowly begin plugging stuff in again. Only had to do this once or twice during configuration but still it was a drag.- I still get the occasional monitor flicker - every 30 minutes or so - when using my comparatively weak laptop. This is basically a moot point because it's clear that the KVM can work perfectly when my GTX 1080 is sending the signals, but its still something I'd like to see examined or noted somewhere. I am going to test swapping it out so the larger monitor is getting the USB-C/Thunderbolt signal but I am hesitant to change my configuration now that it is working well and has settled.Pro tip:FOR ANYONE USING A LENOVO ULTRA DOCK: the system is likely not strong enough to send out two high-bandwidth DisplayPort signals. If you have it, use a USB-C/Thunderbolt output from the side of your laptop to get a second monitors input to the KVM.