Seeking recommendations for KVM switch

[bunsen_h]

I've got two desktop computers running at home: an old Windows XP box which I use primarily for recreation, and a new Windows 8 machine which I use mostly for work.  I very much dislike many of the new "features" of the Win8 user interface.  What genius thought that replacing the start menu with a "start screen", and not even allowing me to have the start menu as an unrecommended option, was a good thing?  Supposedly it was done in anticipation of touch-screen computers becoming common, but surely it is obvious that many computer users wouldn't go that route.  I should have done more research before buying.

Each machine has its own keyboard, mouse, and monitor, which makes my desk a tangled mess (even more than it would otherwise be).  I tried one KVM switch (keyboard, video, mouse) from the local Future Shop, to let the two machines share one mouse and keyboard, and also share one monitor.  But I had to return it because the video coming through was intolerably blurry.  Most of the KVM switches that are available would have to be ordered in, and if I'm going to do that, I want to get one that comes recommended by someone I know/trust.  The on-line reviews aren't very helpful, since every item I've seen has both good ("Works fine!") and terrible ("Piece of junk!  And their customer service sucks!  And the toggle is inconvenient / takes 15 seconds to switch, when it works at all / frequently triggers for no good reason!") reviews.

Can any of you give me some recommendations from your own experience about which 2-port USB KVM switches to try, or to avoid?

Thanks!
 

Comments

[beable]

I have an Avocent Switchview at work, but it's a 4-port non-USB KVM so I doubt it's helpful.

One of the other KVMs I used to have for servers (8 port) was also Avocent and worked well, so you might be able to generally trust their products though.

[suelet.livejournal.com]

I have an IOGEAR...but it's a couple of years old and it only has a VGA input. I've been happy with it, though it does sometimes take a few seconds to register the second display. As to blurry, since I"m only doing desktop configurations with it, I don't really notice anything.
I don't know if that's helpful.