Finally, an easy way to use multiple parallel port devices has arrived! The new Belkin Bitronics Data Switch is the easiest and safest way to switch between IEEE 1284 printers, Zip... more
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Connections: 1 x parallel - IEEE 1284 (EPP/ECP) - 25 pin D-Sub (DB-25) male - 1
Miscellaneous
Cables Included: 1 x parallel cable - 1.8 m
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Listed on Ciao since : 17/01/2004
Manufacturer's product description
Finally, an easy way to use multiple parallel port devices has arrived! The new Belkin Bitronics Data Switch is the easiest and safest way to switch between IEEE 1284 printers, Zip drives, tape backup units, scanners, QuickCams, or any parallel port device. The Bitronics Data Switch won't slow you down either, with full support for all IEEE 1284 advanced parallel port modes. The Bitronics Data Switch is completely plug-and-play, requiring no software installation. Simply attach the cables and you're done! Connect both your laser printer and scanner, your QuickCam and Zip drive, or your tape backup and inkjet printer. It's that easy! It is also fully reversible, allowing connection of two PCs to a single parallel port device. The Bitronics Data Switch is the easiest, safest way to share parallel port devices!
Advantages: Great if you dont have USB 2.0 Disadvantages: USB 2.0 is faster
...A USB peripheral switch are useful items they will allow you to connect items such as camera's, scanners, external hard drives, mobile phones, PDA's etc to your laptop or personal home computer. This USB peropheral switch has only got two ports where most have a minimum of four ports and USB connections on modern PC's and laptops are supplied with USB 2.0 which is a faster system and therefore more efficient.
My conclusion is that this is a dated product that you can obtain a superior model unless you need it for connection with an the older USB 1.1 system, then Belkin is a great and trust worthy manufacturer, and this would be suitable to connect to your PC or Laptop and then to any of the items mentioned above.
Belkin are renound for the customer service standards though you should not need to use this as there products are extremely...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
Advantages: small, no power supply needed Disadvantages: very old hat, will not work with all printers,bad instructions
...I bought this item because I wanted to link my printer to a laptop (using a wireless print server) and my desk top (by cable). What was NOT made clear by the supplier (in fact any supplier on the net offering this product as far as I can see) is that this switch is as good as obsolete. Belkin should ,in my view, withdraw this product from there line as they do make a modern version at much the same price. As is often the case with Belkin it will do the job but not fully and after a lot of fiddleing about. Firstly it comes in the usual clear heat sealed package which must be attacked with a knife to gain entry,once your in and open the 'installation booklet' it says in large bold letters 'this item will not work with multi-funtion printers' Would be nice to know that BEFORE you open the packet in this modern day when a large number...
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Advantages: Quick and easy to set up Disadvantages: Video may get interference
...I've had this KVM switch for a number of years now, since my previous one only had two ports. I found this one fairly cheap somewhere. You're supplied with all the VGA and PS2 cables for each of the 4 connections. You can then plug these cables into your computers. The button on the top allows for quick switching.
But as well as using the button for switching between computers, you are also able to use keyboard shortcuts. These are pretty common in KVM switches, and belkin manage to do it the same way as everyone else. Great for people that are already used to using a KVM switch. The KVM switch has a useful beep, which can be helpful to understand when a command was received by the switch.
The switch also has a port for plugging in power. This helps improve the quality of the picture as there is more power behind it. Most of the time...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful