ATEN 4-Port USB 3.1 Gen 1 4K DisplayPort 1.2 KVMP™ Switch with Audio (KVM cables included)

Product Overview

AI-generated summary

If you actually need a desk/small office KVM, this ATEN is one of the more sensible choices in the “everything-in-one-box” category. The big win is the everyday practicality: it’s meant to switch whole computing setups over one set of keyboard/mouse/video, and the fact it comes with the KVM cabling saves you from the usual hassle of sourcing the right leads. At £284 ex-VAT, I’d only green-light it if you’re pairing it with machines that truly benefit from 4K DisplayPort-style output and you want clean, repeatable switching without crawling behind desks.

That said, I wouldn’t buy it just because “it’s USB 3.1 and 4K.” If your devices don’t line up (DisplayPort compatibility, how many ports you genuinely need, and whether your monitors accept the signal in the way you expect), you can end up paying for features you won’t use. Also, if you’re expecting a full “IT-ready” peripheral hub experience for lots of devices, this kind of KVM is still mainly about switching computers—audio and extra USB functionality can be nice, but the value is strongest when you’re consolidating two systems onto one workstation. Buy this if you’re switching between a couple of desktops/laptops at the same desk and want low-friction operation; skip it if you just need a simple USB adapter or if your video setup is messy and you’re not confident it’ll behave.