CPU auto-switches

Depending on who you ask, my job in these columns is to inform, entertain a little and sell, OR to sell, inform and entertain. I aim for the former description, but I don't overlook the latter.

Sometimes it can cost me money to think to hard on the sales aspect. This column is an excellent example.

As I reviewed my own experience with CPU switches in a test environment, I was reminded just how helpful and space saving they are. We frequently put 4 desktop/tower PC's on a test bench with one monitor/keyboard/mouse combination in the middle.

When we test rackmount systems, we might have as many as 20 systems in the same space. Imagine the mess if either setup required a monitor/keyboard/mouse for each CPU.

And that's when I found myself convinced! I'm going to have to buy a 4-way switch for my home setup. I use several PC's at home for various testing and only my development PC has a 21-inch monitor (and a very comfortable chair).

Nothing in my testing requires that I see several screens at the same time and I won't even have to pivot my chair.

I'm not recommending this for most home or office setups, but if you have a computer "farm" you just might want to pick up one of these things for testing. I'll bet you'll like it.

P.S. As I consider my comments, I don't really think this is going to cost me in the long run. Certainly one switch is less costly than a decent monitor plus keyboard plus mouse.