Originally Posted by
number_6
KVMs generally come in 4 port or 8 port, so you are looking at an 8-port solution if you really need 5 laptops connected, and costwise it will be between USD 500 and 1000. Hence the suggestion to use software, which is much cheaper (presuming your laptops are networked -- if they are isolated, then KVM is the only solution). Also depends on whether you want cat5 or DB15, distance limits, display resolution ...
Cutting down to 4 port from 5 dramatically lowers the cost as you can then use consumer grade instead of enterprise grade products, for example costing $65 for
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/p...57915#Overview
This dell one looks pretty good if I only need to connect 5 notebooks. I currently have only 4, but I was looking to pick up another 4. If I wanted to buy 2 of these, then I would need to just use 2 computers/kvm switches to manage 6-8 computers. I'd be looking for the best/most reliable KVMS switch on the market.
As far as switching screens via the keyboard, that would be acceptable as well as long as I can flip back whenever I wanted to. I'd also assume that I can be online with the other computers as well while flipping back and forth with the switches.