TESmart USB 3.0 HDMI KVM Switch 3 Monitors 4 Computers 4K@60Hz, Headset, Audio&Microphone, EDID emulators, Hotkey Switch, Wired Network, Rack-Ears, 4 Port Triple Monitor KVM Switch with All Cables

Almost six months ago, I signed a second client that I would eventually be given two laptops to do work on. These would be in addition to my personal laptop and my first client's laptop, so 4 in total. I hesitated on purchasing the TES 4 computer to 3 monitor KVM due to the price, but figured if it did work as described, it would be exactly what I need.I'm happy to report, the KVM worked right out of the box and had all the parts and cables I needed. Since this has the smart switching, it took a while to get used to what combo of buttons to use when I needed to be on two laptops at once while being on a conference call with video and audio, but after studying the manual, experimenting a bit, and creating a quick cheat sheet for myself, it became routine. Now, I usually don't write product reviews, but this device impressed me so much, I felt like I had to support it in some small way.There are always some features that don't match personal preferences, and for me, to have the lockable audio switch port be a 3.5mm audio jack when so many peripherals are USB now is a slight inconvenience. Luckily I had been given a Jabra headset by my client which has the right plug, but I had to loose the mute and volume buttons section of the headset cable as that part ends in a USB port. You can do USB only audio, but then that ties it in with the usb keyboard and usb mouse and when you switch you loose the audio or if you choose audio you loose keyboard and mouse. I have only had this a while, so there may be other workarounds, but haven't tried them yet.The only other drawback was the price. It is a bit steep for a KVM switch, but I didn't see any others at the time have the 3 screens show you 3 different laptops. So, in the end, for me, it is well worth the money.

I bought this KVM because there are very few with the exact specifications I need. This one felt very promising, and I didn't mind the high price tag.However, I spent six hours on this and was only met with failure and disappointment.My setup:3 x QHD 1440p / 144 Hz Monitors.1 x Windows PC.1 x Mac Studio M1 Max.1 x Linux Box.The Disappointment:It was clear that as soon as I opened the box, this $599 KVM was previously used. It was scratched/scuffled, had something that looked like stains, the plastic wrap was already opened, and it was missing 1 HDMI cable plus several bands and HDMI covers (parts that were easily lost after opening). The cables were already loose and sticking out in the box. The attached images show what a "new" KVM looks like.The Issues:While the video worked fine (3 x QHD 1440p @ 144 Hz), there were severe issues with getting any USB connection from the target computer to work. It didn't matter which computer I focused on, it didn't matter which cables I used, USB will not work. Since it came with 4 x KVM Cables, I tried them all, and no USB connection would pass through the box. This meant that no Keyboard or Mouse would work.I also tried multiple keyboards and mice. Nothing worked.I "reset" the KVM using its built-in screen. Didn't work.I tried every step I could find online, their manuals, and looked it up on message boards, but nothing worked. I even tried a Powered USB hub, as they suggested, but still nothing.I tried different computers on different ports, switching out all cables, and it again failed.Either this KVM's design is flawed, or the previous owner on this "new" KVM returned a faulty device, or they messed it up, which was then sent to me.Also, when using a powered USB Hub, it actually powers the KVM. When I unplugged its power supply because its screen told me to reset the box, it remained powered on. If a powered USB Hub is plugged in, the power switch doesn't turn the box off. This could be dangerous since TWO power sources can feed into the box simultaneously.This was the worst KVM experience I ever had, and this one was supposed to be the Chosen One—to undo the evil of my previous KVM, which began to fail.This is a hard pass. And my search continues.

Setup:- Acer predator Helios laptop 2020- 2019 Mac book pro 15"- 2023 Mac book air- 2x Samsung 28" U28E850- 1x Asus VG28UQL1A- 1x Asus VG289Q1AMonitors are setup with 2 on top and 2 on the bottom , a 4 screen grid.It was unclear in the instructions and via email correspondence with support (which is great btw) about the ability to move inputs. For example I can't dynamically move one input to another output, which is what I thought I could do. So for lets say you have 1 computer plugged into input 1 and showing on the upper left monitor, well you cant just move it to show on to the right monitor. I would have loved to be able to dynamically move inputs in the screen. This is misleading because if you look at the buttons on the front panel, you could assume that if you press 1 + B it would move input 1 to monitor B. Nope it doesn't work that way.The way it works is that whatever system you have configured to be for whatever monitor letter is the only place that monitor can be displayed with out either modifying the display settings in the OS or physically moving the input. With that in mind I changed my workflow.What I ended up doing is setting my Acer (windows 10) to use all 4 screens. So if I pressed 1, Monitors ABCD would all go to input 1 = Acer. Windows picked up all 4 monitors (5 if you count the laptop itself) and I was able to close the lid on the laptop. I have everything set at 1080 but it does support 4k.So I programed my settings so when I press "2" Monitor A and Monitor B remain on input 1 but monitor C and monitor D changed to input 2. This is where my MBA would use the bottom 2 screens. This means that while im working I get the bottom 2 screens for work and the top 2 screens for my home laptop, but windows that were in screen C and D on my home laptop would have to be dragged up to the top to see them.I programmed 3 to be my MBP which used as A input1 , B input 3, C input 1, D input 3. So when 3 is pressed the MBP displayed on the Top right monitor and the bottom right monitor leaving my home laptop to show on the left top and the left bottom. Like with setting#2, I would just drag the home laptop windows I wanted to see over to the left side monitors.For me this was a great setup and work around to not being able to select inputs.For both MBP and MBAs I had to buy a docking station that emulated a 2nd monitor, because I keep both laptops closed and under the desk and for some reason mac doesnt expose the 2nd monitor on the MBA . This worked for me: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B096HMNK3K?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2For my acer I used these outputs 1 HDMI, 1 USBC (which lets you tie in 2 monitors), 1 Display port for a total of 4 displays out.I made the bottom right Acer, the better monitor as I use it for gaming. the other monitors are just for reading and CADThe USB keyboard and mouse does move between all the monitors when you press your input. For example pressing just #2 will change to my #2 settings and bring my inputs to control the #2 computer.Cons:I could not get the front panel to power any usb hub and do any changing for my iphone. It just wouldn't do it. What I ended up doing here is my wireless charger to one of the docks for the Macs. This is misleading because they advertise the front panel for changing stuff. Neither USBA or C worked for charging, Ive tried this on another unit my friend has, same thing. So I just keep a USB dongle here that controls one of my headsets.Sometimes the system freaks out. The scenario I can reproduce including turning off the KVM while the PC is still plugged in and running. When I turn it back on 50/50 if the PC brings back all my windows in the right place. This could be a windows problem, I dunno. But the best way I could get it all the play nice was never shutdown the kvm BEFORE either shutting down the laptop or putting it to sleep. Turning off the KVM off after seemed to work fine and powering on the KVM BEFORE the windows PC comes up also seemed to work fine.Macs worked well , only occasionally does the 2nd monitor not work. The fix here is either 2 things:1. power off the KVM , plug it, wait a few seconds, plug it back in2. restart the mac, since its an emulated 2nd screen on the MBA sometimes it has an issue being recognized.This one is kinda strange but since it only happens on 1 monitor for 1 gui there is always green lines flickering for just my unraid UI page. But thats it.. so I'm letting it slide.For the back USB, it does support a switch and I use it to charge my USB head phones, didnt work for iphone wireless charger.I would say for 95% of the time this thing works pretty well. If you run into issues here has been the fix for me. A combination of these things:1. Reboot the machine2. Power off the KVM and unplug the back3. Do not power off the KVM before powering off the PCFeatures or addons I would like to see:1. allow this device to be remotely controlled. If it had a nic i can use it as a idrac-like thing which would be awesome2. Allow inputs to really move , ie A1 should to be able to displayed on B,C,D where 1 is the video feeding 13. Fix the front USB power for apple charging.Overall:This is as good as you're going to get in this price range. They include all the cables which is fantastic and they all seem of good quality. Support is very responsive and usually replies to email within a day or so. It does what I was looking for. Its not 100% reliable like a raritan or something but for the home office its hard to complain especially since its the only one i've seen that support 4k at the higher refresh rates.