Level1tech KM switch right for my setup?

Hi everyone,

I’ve almost given up on finding a reliable solution! I’ve tried about six different KM and KVM products—some retail, some B2B. Honestly, some are as useful as a doorstop, while others fall short of providing a complete solution. I’ve tried Symless Synergy, Duet, and Barrier, but they all seem to break whenever Mac or Windows comes out with a major update.

I’m posting here to see if Level1Tech’s KM solution is what I need before going ahead and importing it to the UK. I’d appreciate any insights or confirmation that it’ll work with my setup:

•	Three computers: a Windows 10 PC, a Mac Mini M2, and a PC running Ubuntu.
•	Three gaming monitors: each with different frame rates and resolutions.
•	I’m currently studying ML with digital healthcare data and doing a lot of coding, so I need to switch quickly and seamlessly between computers using a single mouse and keyboard.

Basic Criteria

1.	Very quick switching with hotkey functionality to switch between any of the three setups.
2.	Monitor layout: one vertical monitor on the left and two horizontal monitors stacked on the right. This is essential, as I can’t arrange them in a straight line.
3.	Up-to-date software: newer than five years old, as too many options I’ve tried are outdated.
4.	Reliable functionality across Mac, Windows, and Ubuntu.

Nice-to-Have Criteria

•	Floating mouse that moves between all three computers.
•	Software-free solution without installations.
•	Retain mouse DPI settings per device.

Could anyone confirm if Level1Tech’s KM solution at least covers the first four points? It would really make my day if it fulfills all of my criteria!

I’m feeling pretty defeated at this stage. I’ve already managed to get two KVM switches removed from Amazon because they were just that bad. If anyone’s been through this struggle and found success with Level1Tech or has tips, I’d love to hear from you.

Thanks so much!

Hey sorry about the delay! Let me see if I can help you:

Questions

What mouse and keyboard? Some have quirks from proprietary nonsense and others don’t. The KM/KVM hotkeys and KM mouse rely on the corresponding peripheral being USB-HID compliant. If your keyboard/mouse is required to be USB 3.0, you either need to:

  • Use an external HID-compliant macropad
  • Not use the KM/KVM hotkeys and roaming feature (KM only)
  • Use a different mouse/keyboard.

^ I can give you more info on this just lmk what you have.

Can you list them? The KVMs support up to 4K 240Hz (with DSC). MNore info below about what cables and whatnot to use.


Answers

The switching is quick, but not magically instantanious. I’ll provide a video so you can get a feel for it:

If you go the KM route you would not need to switching or have any wait time. With the roaming option it would seemlessly go between monitors / PCs.


Are you wanting to have all 3 monitors showing 1 input, then switch between the 3?

^^ this is the KVM use-case. The orientation of the monitors do not matter for the KVM. You’d configure that in your OS settings.

Or, are you wanting to move the mouse between 3 monitors that have a different input on each?

^^ this is the KM use-case. We have a preset on our KMs for this specific orientation:


There is no software for the KVM. If you’re referring to the firmware, it is updated reqularly mainly for quirky USB peripherals we come across every now on then.


Yup :+1:


All of these should be good to go. The KVM/KMs are totally plug and play. The KMs have more precise control over the DPI using the hotkeys as you can see here:

I don’t receive many inquiries or complaints that a mouse is changing speeds when switched. I don’t think you should have an issue. The only problem I can think of that people have has before was a linux-related problem in their settings and not KVM-related.


Good to Know / Further Explanation

Bandwidth

For bandwidth purposes it is highly recommended to use the shortest, and most high quality, DisplayPort cables you can. For instance, several 10-foot cables are not going to work at high resolutions and framerates because of signal degredation. There’s no repeater in the KVM, so every leg of the journey from PC → monitor basically adds together to be 1 long cable in the eyes of the KVM.

Benefits of a “dumb box”

The goal when the KVM/KMs were designed was to make them as universal and future proof as possible. Basically, the KVM does not modify your signal or have any proprietary drivers. It tries to be as invisible as possible so that it is never interferring with the latest and greatest thing that hasn’t come out yet.