KVM Software vs Hardware KVM
A KVM switch allows you to share one mouse & keyboard with multiple computers.
Please learn more the benefits of using a Software KVM compared to KVM hardware switch boxes.
There are many good reasons why you would want to use ShareMouse:
- No more juggling mouse and keyboard - ShareMouse lets you control multiple computers with just one mouse and keyboard.
- Convenience - Control all computers from a central location without leaving your seat.
- Speed - You have instant access to any computer, no matter which mouse and keyboard you are using.
- Intuitive operation - No keystroke is required to switch between them. The movement of the mouse is enough for switching.
- No cable clutter - ShareMouse saves your desk from the complex cabling that KVM hardware requires.
- Wireless transmission - Inputs with the mouse and keyboard are transmitted via your existing network connection.
- Value for money - As the number of computers increases, the cost of hardware switches increases dramatically. Not so with ShareMouse.
- Efficiency - ShareMouse cleverly elicits new functionality from your existing hardware.
- Scalable - Hardware KVM switches are often designed for a smaller number of computers. With ShareMouse you can control up to nine computers.
- Compatible - Hardware mouse/keyboard switches can have compatibility problems with certain keyboard/mouse manufacturers. This cannot happen with ShareMouse because the input devices are connected directly to the PC, which ensures compatibility.
- Reliability - Cable connections can break and any additional cable can cause failure. ShareMouse uses your existing network cabling or wireless LAN instead.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Hardware KVM | Software KVM | |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | Lots of wiring. | 1 minute software installation only. The Software KVM "ShareMouse" can even run from a USB thumb drive. |
| Operation | You must press a button to switch between computers. This procedure interrupts your workflow as you need to move the hand from the mouse to the keyboard and back to the mouse. | No button press requried. Just move the mouse to the computer you wish to control. |
| Performance | Switching between computers may cause a delay as the OS requires to detect the input devices after switching. Windows can take up to 30 seconds to initialize USB mice and keyboards. | Instant Switching. All input devices keep being physically connected to the computer and don't require reinitialisation. |
| Appearance | Cable clutter as mouse and keyboard cables need to be wired from the input devices to the switch and all computers. | No cables required. Software KVMs uses your existing wireless or ethernet network. |
| Flexibility | Hardware KVMs have a maximum number of supported computers by design. Adding an additional computer to your setup requires to replace your existing Hardware KVM at exponential cost. | Support for up to nine computers. A Software KVM like "ShareMouse" scales with your requirements and supports up to nine computers. |
| Power Efficiency | Hardware KVM may require a separate power supply. | No AC adaptor required. No more wall-wart madness! |
| Monitor support | Hardware KVMs also enable you to share a monitor with multiple computers. However, the maximum supported screen resolution is limited for technical reasons. Entry level Hardware KVM switches do no support for today's high-resolution displays. | Software KVMs don't include monitor sharing. ShareMouse has full multi monitor supports. Monitors can have any screen resolution. |
| Audio support | Some Hardware KVM models can also switch audio ports. | ShareMouse does not handle audio. |
| Multi-Monitor support | Only very expensive KVM switches support multiple monitors. If more than two monitors shall be supported, it can get quite expensive. | ShareMouse supports many monitors. |
Software KVMs are a powerful alternative to 'classic'' hardware switchboxes and offer unique features.