StarTech.com Portable Laptop Crash Cart Adapter for Server Management, USB/VGA KVM Console, Windows/Linux/MacOS - TAA

I tend to work on random computers dropped off at my desk, generally without a PC or keyboard. This product has been a great time saver, I no longer need to track down a spare monitor, or when I'm at a customer's site beg them for a monitor. I'm able to get my work done and I couldn't ask for more. I've even used the adapter for extended development sessions without issues. To give you an idea how versatile this thing is, I've:- Diagnose and repair computers both at work and remotely, including systems that should be headless and stuck in some inconvenient location in a mode that needed some TLC to get running again.- Bring small computers with me to a customer site for work purposes, and use my laptop as the keyboard/monitor.- With the aid of a HDMI->VGA converter box, used this and online meeting software to demo a program running on a tablet remotely, which worked out much better for all parties than pointing a webcam at the tablet.- Demo software on a PC that had no network connectivity to remote customers.The product price might seem a bit much, but to me it's been well worth it. Even if my only use was because I'm the guy friends and family bring dead computers to, I'd seriously consider purchasing it.My only complaint was a one time event: I had a conflict with this product's software and the drivers for the StarTech USB to DVI adapter on a Windows machine. I was able to resolve the issue by manually removing the USB to DVI drivers and re-installing the latest versions. That one issue aside, I've had no problems with the software.

Used multiple times to connect to old idrac consoles in a tight closet with no room for full setups. Also works amazing for putting a console screen on a screen share during a meeting.

Very useful product

I bought this product but it is not working and it should come with pendrive that is missing. This is all waste of my time. Even though I complain they are not responding to my request

I bought this because I am always going to data centers and hate looking for, or just HOPING there is, a crash cart lying around, or that the client has a KVM in the rack. This easily fits in my laptop bag, and comes with me in the truck or on an airplane. And if you get a 15 foot usb cable with it like I did, you can sit on the hot aisle instead of the cold aisle. You data center monkeys will know what I'm talking about.But it works exactly as advertised. You see everything from POST onwards, on anything from desktops to G9 HP servers. WELL worth the cash. Feels solid built too...hefty...but I still treat it like a baby just because of how expensive it is.Fair warning though...on Windows 8 or newer, they don't have any signed drivers yet, so you have to boot into the recovery mode and turn off driver signing in the OS, then it will load the drivers and work fine. It will continue to work until you reboot. So if you just put your laptop to sleep, it will be fine. Just keep this in mind if you think yours doesn't work on Windows 8/10. Once the drivers are loaded the first time, they never need to be reloaded again, but it won't find the device on USB until you turn off driver signing in the OS.Other than that, this is probably the best tool in my bag.

This thing works every time and I can stop worrying about USB flash drives because I can mount a folder as a drive on my laptop and present it to the server Im connected to by the crash cart. It's not meant to be a security tool but not having to copy files onto a flash drive is huge for security. All my data never leaves my encrypted laptop drive and I can't leave flash drives behind or lose them.Also I can record if I need to call sup[port and they are removing into my laptop. So you can watch what they are doing and learn how to avoid needing support in the first place.

Works great. I need this when i travel to customers and they dont have a KVM readily setup in their rack. This product works great. The console of the server/machine opens as a window in software on your laptop. Great to take screenshots of devices during the boot screen. And also allows you to share your desktop to someone else so they can see the boot process of the device. Works just like a iDRAC or iLO.One thing to note: this device is the NOTECONS01 unit. There are two different units. The other version allows to copy files back and forth, which i dont need. The driver/software install is different. You will need to download the proper driver/install for this device. The driver/install does come included on a USB drive in the box, but the version was a few versions out of date.I had the other software installed already from using a different device from a customer. It would not find my new device and was very confusing until i figured out that they were different versions and uninstalled and then installed the right installer.

Yes, its expensive. But once you see the convenience that the Startech USB laptop crash cart offers, you'll think why hadn't I bought this thing earlier!The ability to turn your laptop into a mobile KVM is simply wonderful. There will be times when you need to access the BIOS of a server or would prefer to get direct console access, rather than through some sort of remote access either via Windows RDP or similar protocols.Being able to capture screen shots of the VGA output can be critical at times when you need to track system states or document what happened to a misbehaving server.I would like to following features to be added:1) Shortcut keys, especially for capturing screen shots.2) Build in video recording capabilities which would make this the perfect tool for creating teaching materials.3) Downsizing of display resolution while video feed is live. The video feed could be so high res that fonts are too small to view properly.This product has provided me with immediate ROI. All that's lacking now is getting a sturdy case to protect this expensive tool from being damaged.