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2 Pack of USB 2.0 Auto Sharing Switchs
Thing Fling Offline
#1 Posted : Thursday, February 28, 2008 10:23:24 AM


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YOU ONLY PAY SHIPPING AND HANDLING!

The Philips PSL 1014 USB 2.0 Auto Sharing Switch offers a simple solution for users who need to connect two computers to a single USB compliant device. Eliminate once and for all the need to unplug and reconnect to another computer. The USB device will stay available to all connected computers.

Perfect for use with notebooks or desktop computers! Connect it to a printer or a scanner, digital or video cameras or any other USB compliant device.

Supports Windows 98/ME/2000/XP & Mac OS. NOT Vista compatible.

The lowest price for a manual switch we have seen was around $ 14.00 or $9.99 PLUS $4.99 on Am**on.com.

At Thing Fling you get 2 for free - 2 pieces for less than the price of... i don't even know how many! And you only pay S+H.


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mh6288 Offline
#2 Posted : Thursday, February 28, 2008 10:32:15 AM


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I bought 2 of these last time they were, up, and they work better than I expected! One thing to note though, it only comes with one USB cord, so you will need a second one to hook it up to more than one computer
big77 Offline
#3 Posted : Thursday, February 28, 2008 10:42:28 AM


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Says it works with Mac OS, but I can't see anywhere that these are compatible with Mac OS X. Since they were introduced in 2001 or so, I'd say it's a pretty good bet the specs mean Mac OS classic (Vers 9) and these aren't OS X compatible. Anyone know for sure?
stratford1 Offline
#4 Posted : Thursday, February 28, 2008 11:08:00 AM



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big77 wrote:
Says it works with Mac OS, but I can't see anywhere that these are compatible with Mac OS X. Since they were introduced in 2001 or so, I'd say it's a pretty good bet the specs mean Mac OS classic (Vers 9) and these aren't OS X compatible. Anyone know for sure?


Yeah, I was wondering the same thing. Unfortunately, the Philips site doesn't even have product info on this. I'll keep searching and post if I find anything.
s002cjs Offline
#5 Posted : Thursday, February 28, 2008 11:26:50 AM



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Grr. I really am hating Vista more and more. I was about to jump on this, but my newest system is Vista and already a few of my USB accessories aren't working with it. It stinks that these don't work with it either Sad
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stratford1 Offline
#6 Posted : Thursday, February 28, 2008 2:19:58 PM



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Ok...I finally got through to somebody at Philips customer service. Not sure if his info is gonna help us at all though...

According to the CSR this product is not driver based, so it "should be compatible with any computer that has a USB port". Obviously, TF has clearly stated it wont work with Vista (I'm assuming the package may give those details?) so I dont really buy that explanation, but wanted to share what he said. I followed that up with a "I want to make sure this will work on Mac OS X" to which he responded "Oh, it'll work on that, no problem".

So...there it is...I guess you can take it or leave it...I'm not convinced but might give the thing a try anyway.
zyrilia Offline
#7 Posted : Thursday, February 28, 2008 8:30:53 PM



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I'm stoked about this. I finally set up my desk so both my laptop and desktop PC have real estate, and I didn't want to have to deal with USB cable changes all the time... problem solved! Very Happy
scaredwitless Offline
#8 Posted : Thursday, February 28, 2008 9:04:05 PM



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stratford1 wrote:
Ok...I finally got through to somebody at Philips customer service. Not sure if his info is gonna help us at all though...

According to the CSR this product is not driver based, so it "should be compatible with any computer that has a USB port". Obviously, TF has clearly stated it wont work with Vista (I'm assuming the package may give those details?) so I dont really buy that explanation, but wanted to share what he said. I followed that up with a "I want to make sure this will work on Mac OS X" to which he responded "Oh, it'll work on that, no problem".

So...there it is...I guess you can take it or leave it...I'm not convinced but might give the thing a try anyway.


If it is the kind of switch that I THINK it is, and let me just say all info I have on this is based on what I read in TF's description so I could be wrong, then if it is the kind of switch I think it is, it is simply a pass-through to connect a common usb cable (going to printer or whatever) to either computer A or computer B. So so long as no computer actually controls the switch, then it should be OS blind. My guess that the "auto" part of this switch means that it detects power on the line and will auto switch to whatever computer is turned on at the time. So probably if you have both computers on, you would still need to manually switch to the computer you want on the line.

Another guess: TF probably read what OSes it was "compatible" with from the box, and probably excluded Vista just to make sure they were on the cautious side and didn't get flack later. If I needed this I would probably be willing to take the gamble even though I have Vista.

If someone who has one comments on how it works, I think all would become clear.

Anyway once again.. disclaimer: I am making educated guesses, if your OS ain't on the list, buy at your own risk, but I for one would take that gamble if I needed it. But I couldn't say for certain it would work.
xenocarcinus Offline
#9 Posted : Thursday, February 28, 2008 10:05:32 PM



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mh6288 wrote:
I bought 2 of these last time they were, up, and they work better than I expected! One thing to note though, it only comes with one USB cord, so you will need a second one to hook it up to more than one computer


Hi,
Can you share external HDD between two computers using this???
Please help.
Jiinx Offline
#10 Posted : Thursday, February 28, 2008 10:38:00 PM



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Thank You !!!! Applause I've been wanting something like this so my roommate and I can share a printer without the usual hassle of dealing with tangled wires.
~~Jinx
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage, Mythbusters

Flings Flung: 40 total orders- Regular items- 22 Orders, 40 items; MB/AMB- 16 orders, 23 MBs/AMBs; 2 Canceled( 1 voluntary, 1 bad batch of Batteries w/ Chargers)
In 9 months of Flings I have already surpassed my purchases of almost 2yrs on that other DOD site where it's nearly impossible to get their mystery 'bag'... lol
~~Jinx Cool
stratford1 Offline
#11 Posted : Thursday, February 28, 2008 11:47:50 PM



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scaredwitless wrote:

Another guess: TF probably read what OSes it was "compatible" with from the box, and probably excluded Vista just to make sure they were on the cautious side and didn't get flack later. If I needed this I would probably be willing to take the gamble even though I have Vista.


I bet you're right about that. Based on what "research" I was able to do today, I have a feeling this product could be an older model - which would account for older OSes to be listed - but doesnt necessarily mean it wont work with newer OSes. Still, I appreciate (if this is true) TF being careful and only listing whats on the package.

Anyway, I bought a set so I guess I'll know for sure soon enough! Wink
big77 Offline
#12 Posted : Friday, February 29, 2008 2:24:59 AM


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stratford1 wrote:
Ok...I finally got through to somebody at Philips customer service....

According to the CSR this product is not driver based,


Wow, thanks for the research! I have my doubts as well, but I might give it a try for the $10 based on the partial hope you provided. But don't worry, if it doesn't work I won't blame it on you Smile!
aacwks Offline
#13 Posted : Sunday, March 02, 2008 10:01:31 PM



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* Brand: Philips
* Model: PSL1014-2PACK
* Condition: Brand New
* UPC: 026616027804

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urmeli Offline
#14 Posted : Sunday, March 02, 2008 10:36:37 PM


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Wow - the first product where I could not find ANY reviews for!
Bought one (two) anyway as I want to share a printer between two computers.
Hope that it will work even when both are on - but will see... 10 buck gamble...
krazyrat Offline
#15 Posted : Tuesday, March 11, 2008 11:51:55 AM



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I finally received mine! I was a little upset with them only having 1 usb cable to attach, but I guess that's why the wonderful TF has included 2. I wnt to my local dollar tree and picked up a few extra cables for $1 each, they got awesome!
billquinn1 Offline
#16 Posted : Wednesday, March 12, 2008 7:38:31 PM


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The word "auto" in the description is wrong. I got mine today and it is a switch but not auto. You press button 1 to use computer 1 and button 2 to use computer 2. Not what I thought but it does work if that is what you need.
Shaggy Fling Offline
#17 Posted : Friday, March 14, 2008 9:54:28 AM


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billquinn1 wrote:
The word "auto" in the description is wrong. I got mine today and it is a switch but not auto. You press button 1 to use computer 1 and button 2 to use computer 2. Not what I thought but it does work if that is what you need.


Thank you for the heads up, I'll check as I believe that the product information is form the Item.

stratford1 Offline
#18 Posted : Saturday, March 15, 2008 11:04:31 PM



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Shaggy Fling wrote:
billquinn1 wrote:
The word "auto" in the description is wrong. I got mine today and it is a switch but not auto. You press button 1 to use computer 1 and button 2 to use computer 2. Not what I thought but it does work if that is what you need.


Thank you for the heads up, I'll check as I believe that the product information is form the Item.



Hmm, yeah strange...it appears to say "auto" right on the package. Think
I haven't gotten mine yet, but will be curious to try them out.
scaredwitless Offline
#19 Posted : Sunday, March 16, 2008 2:44:56 AM



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Shaggy Fling wrote:
billquinn1 wrote:
The word "auto" in the description is wrong. I got mine today and it is a switch but not auto. You press button 1 to use computer 1 and button 2 to use computer 2. Not what I thought but it does work if that is what you need.


Thank you for the heads up, I'll check as I believe that the product information is form the Item.



I think what is happening here is that "auto" is being misconstrued, as I said in an earlier post, I believe the auto part means that the switch detects which port is currently powered up and automatically switches to that port (i.e. computer)--but if both are powered on, then the manual switch would have to be used, this is the most common way that auto sensing switches work, whether it be AV switches, KVM< switches, or other. I don't own this switch or know that much about it, but I'd put a fair wager on my guess being correct, and that the switch is AUTO, just not the kind of auto people are thinking--honestly, that kind of auto, the kind that would detect data transfer over the line, isn't something I've ever seen, and would be much more expensive, I'm sure. Also that kind of auto would be the kind that would most likely make the switch OS dependent, which this one I believe is not.

Worry not Shagster, I don't believe you guys have erred here, but someone else will have to confirm.
Samuel613 Offline
#20 Posted : Sunday, March 16, 2008 3:06:29 AM


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Here's the real story with these.

This thing is a gem. I have not seen anything like this anywhere for any price.

1. Operating System - It works with XP, Vista x86 AND Vista x64. No drivers needed. And it works every time, back and forth and back and forth again.

2. It IS automatic, but only in a certain sense. It has buttons for A and B; that's the manual part. The automatic part is as follows:

If Computers A and B are off, upon powering on EITHER one, the unit will power on and give AUTOMATIC control to A (the red light will light up).

If Computers A and B are both on and B is in use, when you turn off B then it will AUTOMATICALLY switch it over to A.

If either of Computer A or B are on and controlling the PSL1014, when you turn it off, it AUTOMATICALLY powers off.

3. There are some really neat uses for this. Personally, I have two laptops that share the same desk. For ~ $5 shipped, I can use the same KB/Mouse and more and easily swap them between the two laptops with the push of a button. This saves physical wear and tear on the USB ports, in addition to saving time otherwise needed to fish around for the plug.

Also, it will accept the input of a hub. So you can have 4 (or more) devices in the hub, and switch ALL of them over at the tap of a button.

This device provides a tremendous convenience for a ridiculously low price. (I bought one of these last time for $4 - now they raised it to $5 AND they made you buy a 2 pack to get that price...but it's still an AWESOME deal).
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