StarTech.com 2 Port Hybrid USB-A + HDMI & USB-C KVM Switch - Single 4K 60Hz HDMI 2.0 Monitor - Compact Desktop and/or Laptop HDMI KVM Switch - USB Bus Powered - Thunderbolt 3 Compatible

Product Overview

AI-generated summary

For £39.05 ex-VAT, this StarTech hybrid KVM is a decent “quick win” if you mainly want to share one HDMI monitor between a couple of laptops/desktops. The fact it’s USB-A + HDMI plus USB-C in one device makes it particularly useful in real offices where you’ve got one workstation and one laptop dock/charger setup. It’s also bus-powered, so you don’t have another brick to route around your desk—this matters for day-to-day practicality, not just spec-sheet comfort.

That said, I wouldn’t buy it for anything beyond light-to-moderate switching. “Single monitor, single screen” setups are where these small KVMs shine; if you need smoother peripheral switching, frequent hot-plugging, or you’re expecting it to be bulletproof with every docking station and USB-C implementation, you may end up annoyed. Also, since it only supports one display output, it’s not the right choice if you’re trying to rationalise multi-monitor workspaces.

**Who should buy:** users with two computers (often a desktop + a USB-C laptop) and one HDMI monitor who want simple, low-cost switching without extra power supplies. **Who shouldn’t:** anyone running complex docking/USB-C peripherals, needing dual monitors, or who hates troubleshooting with “works on one setup, not the next.”