中文版 | News | Archives | Reviews | Forum | $ DealsLinks | History | Contact | Privacy

Serverlink SL-451 4 PORT SOHO KVM (2)
Brian P 26 June 2003

This KVM unit is a blessing to people like me who participate in Distributed Computing projects. Having to scrounge parts to build additional computers on the cheap, having to find the money and space for all those extra monitors, mice and keyboards would be crippling. To give you an idea of the savings, 4 15 inch monitors/mice/keyboards would cost around AU$750. A 4 Port from Serverlink with Cables is AU$300. Obviously, going to 8 or 16 Port KVMs will save you an enormous amount of money and space. With the 2 Port KVM though, the decision is a bit tougher. At AU$200 for a 2 Port with cables and AU$380 for the equivalent Monitors etc., it becomes a personal choice if you prefer 2 fully complete computers or not. Not forgetting Serverlink is the most expensive brand, as there are others quite a bit cheaper, though you may lose features/quality/service. Aten have a 4 Port with cables for AU$180, and Skymaster AU$127. You may find their cables are not as long or as good quality. The better the cable quality, the better the picture quality. The Serverlink can display as high as 1600 X 1280, but as cable quality degrades, ghosting and other effects limit the workable resolution. Like everything, you generally get what you pay for. I have had a small problem with my KVM, and it has been tracked to a bug in the Firmware when you reassign the Hot Key. A revision is in the works, and Tech Support were very good in sorting out the problem.

Overall, the Serverlink SOHO 4 Port KVM is an excellent product. It runs 24/7 and has shown no signs of heat issues, it has good manual and keybaord controls, and after sales support has been a pleasant surprise compared to other products I have purchased. If you are after a quality product, especially in Server Administration, Serverlink is a good choice. For those who do not have access to Serverlink products, when purchasing a KVM, look for good After Sales Service as you wont want to have to send a KVM away for a few days for repair. Losing access to your computers is not good. Serverlink will swap faulty units on the spot if under warranty. Look for easy to use controls, both manual and keyboard. Make sure there is a manual reset switch in case the non-volatile settings go awry. Ensure the Connectors are good quality and provide firm and secure connections. And lastly, get good quality cables, because if you cannot read the screen, there is no point to having a KVM.

I give this product a rating of 9 out 10.

(C) Copyright 1998-2009 OCWorkbench.com