StarTech.com KVM Console to USB 2.0 Portable Laptop Crash Cart Adapter
$450.99
$411.99
Mfg # NOTECONS01
CDW # 1779798
| UNSPSC 26121604
Quick tech specs
- Turn any laptop into a console for headless servers, PCs, ATMs, kiosks and more
- USB 2.0 Portable Crash Cart Adapter/Portable KVM Console/USB Crash Cart Adapter/VGA Laptop KVM Console
- Integrated KVM Cables
- Direct console access for system administration
- Compatible with the HP ProLiant DL Series Rack Server
- Supports resolutions up to 1920x1200
- Perfect for administrators travelling between data centers/server rooms
Know your gear
The NOTECONS01 KVM Console to USB 2.0 Portable Laptop Crash Cart Adapter turns your notebook or netbook into a portable server crashcart, eliminating the need to lug around a large, heavy and awkward video screen, keyboard, and mouse. This adapter delivers the VGA stream from any host computer to a laptop and emulates the laptop mouse and keyboard outputs for simple access and control of connected servers, PCs or other "headless" devices. "StarTech.com's USB KVM may be your new best friend for trips to the datacenter... you can use this from the back of the rack. So if you are handling issues that require moving cables or network connections... this can be a major timesaver." - everythingUSB.com "The CRN Test Center recommends StarTech's Crash Cart Adapter for any company with a data center or with technicians servicing computers in the field" - CRN With portability for the mobile administrator or repair technician in mind, this USB-powered adapter features a small-footprint design that requires no additional accessories to connect to most servers, and requires no server-side software installation. Plus, the pocket-sized adapter draws its power from the server-side USB connections, allowing the laptop/netbook to last longer without consuming battery power. Ensuring full control of the connected units, the Laptop KVM Server Console Adapter provides immediate access to the POST screen and BIOS, plus the ability to handle full configuration of the attached PC or machine; administrators can connect to a headless server/device without the need of an expensive LCD rackmount console or bulky monitor, keyboard and mouse solution. Backed by a StarTech.com 2-year warranty and free lifetime technical support. How it works:
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StarTech.com KVM Console to USB 2.0 Portable Laptop Crash Cart Adapter is rated
3.50 out of
5 by
19.
Rated 5 out of
5 by
rokendo from
Works in Windows but not on High Sierra 10.13.6
The KVM adapter works well when it works, however, had to get my employer to provide me with a Windows laptop since the adapter stopped working when they upgraded our Macbooks to High Sierra 10.13.3. The drivers state they support 10.13 but they do not work. My employer will not provide me with a new adapter (supposedly NOTESCON2 supposedly works with High Sierra) so I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Date published: 2018-08-03T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
SecEng1 from
No longer works with my iOS devices
Somewhere along the way this is no longer consistently working for my iOS devices. I am not sure if its the iOS upgrades or the unit is failing but finding help is not a trivial task. When I originally got this years ago it was pretty solid but no longer the case.
Date published: 2018-08-20T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
grumpquat from
No longer works with OS X 10.13 and above
This expensive product used to work great with OS X and now it requires multiple restarts of the application with every session. It's barely functional now.
Date published: 2018-11-07T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
QsterX from
Gets the job done, and well.
I have been planning on buying this since it was announced and only recently got to it. I have worked in the field for 15 years and consider this (conceptually) to be pretty much the most useful thing in a toolkit after a Phillips screwdriver.
The device works really well, I have used it both under Mac OSX 10.9 and Windows 7 at this time, it assists me both in the server room, and at my desk. No longer do I require a dedicated spare Keyboard/Mouse/Monitor at my desk, nor do I need to worry about connecting to our servers that do not have KVM functionality.
I have run into a single issue with the device which I suspect is a limitation of Apple hardware, I was unable to activate the boot menu on a Mac Mini using the host, I ended up plugging a keyboard in to trigger the event, still using the NOTECONS01 for Monitor access. For me this was not a deal breaker at all (I did try several things and settings adjustments without success).
If you are a technician that plans on using this in the field extensively I would recommend packing a DVI to VGA, as well as a MiniDP to VGA (active) and MiniDP to DP adapter. This will ensure you can connect the device to any display output you are likely to encounter in the field.
If you are thinking this will be an invaluable tool for working in the field/datacenter, you will be happy with this products performance.
Date published: 2014-04-24T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Computerboyrick from
Fantastic tool
I repair servers and in data centers and many client site this tool has saved me many hours of waiting. It was always important to watch the the server complete it post on power on. It is certainly worth it.
Date published: 2018-07-21T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
kristen from
Old tech
I bough half a dozen, and I'm a bit disappointed.
Only vga support, no proper linux/esx, and last no virtual media support.
On the upside its a small device.
Date published: 2019-03-22T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
gregw from
Best gadget for IT field technician
This device is one of the best gadgets I've ever bought. I used to connect to servers using standard monitor, mouse and keyboard. No more messing with vga/power cables to get monitor working. This device saved me already lots of time that I would otherwise waste on finding, connecting and moving monitor.
Date published: 2016-04-13T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
EdBartra from
App does not seem to want to
Overpriced, but handy if you don't have access to physical console crash carts and travel. Invest in cheap kvm cables to protect pins on this device as they will eventually get damaged from constant plugging and unplugging. App does not seem to support Mac OS High Sierra, but work in Sierra.
Date published: 2017-10-11T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
gmolitor from
Problems with Windows 10
Hello, the adapter worked very well whilst Windows 7 was installed on my Notebook. But since I've been migrated to Windows 10 the NoteCons01 Adapter isn't working properly anymore even I am using the latest driver software for this kind of the Adapter. So as soon as a Output Screen coming from the connected Device is changing, the Adapter Software needs to be restarted to get awareness of this change. Otherwise the output of the Card Adapter is frozen and not synced with the Device Output.
Date published: 2018-09-12T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
rkhands from
Red color missing on screen
I have had this for several years, recently the video output is missing the color red. The VGA connector looks fine, no missing or pushed down pins.
Date published: 2019-03-29T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Oesten from
Works great, be sure you get the right drivers
This is a great tool. You do want to be sure to get the correct drivers; notecons01 and notecons02 are different. Also, a note to Startech: it's hard to find this in the list of KVM switches. This really could use its own category.
Date published: 2019-06-10T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
kurbycar32 from
Does exactly what it says
I bought this a few months ago to help with repairing offline servers. Now I don't have to worry about the KVM, keyboard, monitor or mouse work (or are missing) at the remote site. This also works with Windows 10
Date published: 2015-08-06T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
ITman from
Excellent Crash Cart But...
I love this adapter, but would like to see better copy and paste options.
Date published: 2017-10-11T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Brianinca from
null
Super neat concept and one applicable to more uses than just the server room. I wish there was a photo feature for reviews so I could show it in situ. The device drivers came on a USB thumb drive, which is smart since many ultraportables lack an optical drive nowadays. Windows and Mac and Linux compatible drivers are included. Windows 8.1 watched the installer die and offered to install in Compatibility Mode, which worked perfectly. The software is hardly a UI masterpiece but includes everything I can think of as being important, including a vertical orientation for the toolbar. Since a widescreen notebook display 1280x1024 has lots of side space, this is great for fullscreen mode. The Auto-Fine Tune feature works well to remove the interpolated pixel fuzzys. I've got a Lenovo Twist I'm testing with (has copper GbE, yay!) and the touchscreen passes through to Server 2012 R2 perfectly. I bought my unit at Newegg Business after hearing about it on a Spiceworks thread started to find out "what's in your toolbag?" I can see needing a couple three more of these since I'm not putting mine in the general tech bag, it's going straight into my backpack. I think my Controls guys will want a couple, as well - they deal with headless units all the time. The ONLY downside is the price, but for what it does, I think the price is reasonable, and I sure wouldn't want it to do LESS. Also, came with a PS/2 adapter, seems like a product made by people who really use technology. Now I'm going to install the software on a Lenovo X240!
Date published: 2015-03-24T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
JeffJeff from
Doesn't refresh the video correctly
During the POST/Boot process, if the server is constantly changing video resolution, it usually throws garbage text at the screen or the screen freezes. I have to keep unplugging and plugging the USB cable until I get video signal again. I'm using Windows 10 (fresh install, no upgrade from Windows 7 or 8) with latest software/drivers installed. I have more than 20 of these and I have the same issue with all of them.
Date published: 2020-01-28T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
jujucocoabean from
Very handy tool, needs a bit more polish
I've had my crash cart for a few years and it has been invaluable every time. I've used it on servers, PCs and even Raspberry Pis. I've recommended it lots of times and every engineer who saw me using mine has wanted one. My main issue is the software - later versions have an issue with the screen buffer, showing corrupted or inaccurate output in certain times (usually during POST and boot). After a conversation with Support some years ago, the best version I've found for Windows 10 seems to be 113.0103, but sadly this is no longer available for download - a good job I kept it when I had it in 2018. Startech, please either fix the display buffer or have the stable version available for download.
Date published: 2021-11-11T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Atanas from
Works fairly well, but rubber coating degrades
Rubber coating on mine degraded and became like sticky gel, collects all dust and rubbish, disgusting to work with. Contacted support just to waste my time and hear how sorry they are for me and there is nothing they can do. All I needed is new plastic case. Bad experience.
Date published: 2020-01-08T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Sigtran from
Invaluable tool
Simply essential tool. No need for screen and keyboard anymore, just plug into any server and access it. Do need a HDMI convertor
Date published: 2021-08-17T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
mazz from
Still have problems with resolution changes
Incredible help when working with physical servers, but the quite annoying resolution change bug still exists: every time the resolution/refresh rate changes (servers do this a LOT during POST/boot), the console outputs only garbage, and you have to reconnect the adapter more than a few times to get readable content. (Win10/Win11, with driver version 120.0918).
Date published: 2023-08-06T00:00:00-04:00