Rackmount Monitor Buyer's Guide: How to Choose a Rack Mount Monitor for Your Server Room
A rackmount monitor is a display, and usually a keyboard and pointing device, built into a 1U or 2U drawer that slides into a standard 19-inch server rack. Instead of a separate monitor, keyboard, and mouse at every server, one rack mount monitor gives IT teams a single console to view and control every machine in the rack, folding flat when not in use to reclaim space. KVMSwitchTech stocks 17", 19", and 20" rackmount monitors, dual and triple display models, high-brightness panels, short-depth drawers for shallow racks, and IP-enabled units for remote KVM access over Cat5.
Related reading: KVM over IP in 2026: a data center decision framework.
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Step 1: Choose your form factor (drawer vs. LCD-only)
Decide whether you need a full rackmount keyboard and display drawer (a "KVM console drawer") or a display-only rackmount LCD. Console drawers integrate screen, keyboard, and touchpad or trackball in one slide-out unit; LCD-only drawers pair with your own keyboard or a separate KVM. If you manage many servers from one console, add a built-in KVM switch.
| Type | What's included | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| KVM Console Drawer | LCD + keyboard + touchpad/trackball | Single-console control of one or many servers |
| Rackmount LCD (display only) | Flip-up LCD in a 1U drawer | Monitoring where a keyboard is not needed |
| Drawer with built-in KVM | LCD + keyboard + 8/16-port KVM switch | Controlling multiple servers from one drawer |
| Dual / triple display | Two or three panels in one drawer | Control rooms, monitoring walls, NOCs |
Step 2: Pick the screen size and resolution
The most common rackmount monitor sizes are 17" and 19" (typically 1280x1024), with 20" units reaching 1600x1200 and widescreen 1080p (1920x1080) and 1920x1200 options for detailed work. Match resolution to what your servers and KVM output natively so the image stays sharp and correctly scaled.
Step 3: Confirm the video interface
Rackmount monitors ship with VGA, DVI-D, HDMI, or DisplayPort inputs, and some support composite or S-Video for legacy AV gear. Choose a unit whose input matches your servers or KVM switch to avoid adapters. For a display-only drawer, see our 1U Rackmount LCD range.
Step 4: Measure rack depth (standard vs. short depth)
Full-depth drawers can be too long for wall-mount racks, network cabinets, and shallow enclosures. Measure the usable mounting depth of your rack before ordering, and choose a short-depth rackmount monitor when space behind the rails is limited.
Step 5: Match the interface and power to your environment
- USB or PS/2 – pick the keyboard/mouse interface your servers accept; combo USB + PS/2 models cover mixed fleets.
- Cat5 / IP KVM – add a Cat5 or IP-enabled console to switch many servers and allow remote access over the network.
- DC power options – 12V, 24V, and 48V DC models suit telecom and industrial power environments.
- High brightness – choose a high-brightness panel for control rooms and areas with bright ambient light.
Rackmount Monitor Sizes at a Glance
| Size | Typical resolution | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 17" | 1280x1024 (or 1080p widescreen) | General server-room console, tight budgets |
| 19" | 1280x1024 (or 1080p widescreen) | Most common all-purpose choice |
| 20" | 1600x1200 | Detailed monitoring, more screen real estate |
Browse products
1U Rackmount Keyboards
Rackmount Keyboard Short Depth Drawer with Combo USB and PS2 interface Touchpad
$499.00
$700.00
In stock
1U Rackmount Keyboards
Rackmount Keyboard Drawer with combo USB and PS2 Interface Trackball
$520.00
$699.00
In stock
1U Rackmount Keyboards
Rackmount Keyboard Drawer with combo USB and PS2 Interface Touchpad
$525.00
$699.00
In stock
1U Rackmount Keyboards
Rackmount Keyboard Short Depth Drawer with combo USB and PS2 Interface Trackball
$575.00
$700.00
In stock
1U Rackmount LCD Keyboard
1U 17" Rackmount Monitor Keyboard Drawer Combo with USB and PS2 Interface Touchpad
$925.00
$1,200.00
In stock
KVM Drawer
1U 17" Rackmount Monitor Keyboard Drawer Combo with USB and PS2 Interface Touchpad
$925.00
$1,200.00
In stock
1U Rackmount LCD Keyboard
1U 17" Rack Monitor Keyboard Drawer with combo USB and PS2 Interface Touchpad
$952.00
$1,200.00
In stock
KVM Drawer
1U 17" KVM Drawer Short Depth with Combo USB and PS2 Interface Touchpad
$960.00
$1,200.00
In stock
1U Rackmount Keyboards
RK-S801e Cyberview Rackmount Keyboard with Integrated 8 Port combo KVM Switch USB and PS2 Touchpad
$1,003.00
$1,500.00
In stock
KVM Drawer
1U 17" KVM Drawer with Combo USB and PS2 Interface Trackball
$1,006.00
$1,200.00
In stock
1U Rackmount LCD Keyboard
1U 17" Rack Monitor Keyboard Drawer with combo USB and PS2 Interface Trackball
$1,006.00
$1,200.00
In stock
Short Depth LCD Keyboard
1U 17" Rack Monitor Keyboard Drawer Short Depth with combo USB and PS2 Interface Trackball
$1,026.00
$1,200.00
In stock
KVM Drawer
1U 17" Rackmount KVM Drawer Short Depth with Combo USB and PS2 Interface Touchpad
$1,029.00
$1,500.00
In stock
KVM Drawer
1U 17" Rackmount KVM Drawer with Combo USB and PS2 Interface Touchpad
$1,029.00
$1,200.00
In stock
1U Rackmount LCD Keyboard
1U 17" Rackmount Monitor Keyboard Drawer with combo USB and PS2 Interface Touchpad
$1,029.00
$1,299.00
In stock
KVM Drawer
1U 17" KVM Drawer Short Depth with Combo USB and PS2 Interface Trackball
$1,035.00
$1,200.00
In stock
KVM Drawer
1U 17" Rackmount Monitor Keyboard Drawer Combo with USB and PS2 Interface Trackball
$1,035.00
$1,200.00
In stock
1U Rackmount LCD Keyboard
1U 17" Rackmount Monitor Keyboard Drawer Combo with USB and PS2 Interface Trackball
$1,035.00
$1,200.00
In stock
KVM Drawer
1U 19" KVM Drawer Short Depth with Combo USB and PS2 Interface Touchpad
$1,047.00
$1,200.00
In stock
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a rackmount monitor?
A rackmount monitor is an LCD display, often combined with a keyboard and touchpad or trackball, built into a 1U or 2U drawer that slides into a 19-inch server rack. It gives IT teams a single fold-away console for the servers in the rack.
What is the difference between a rackmount monitor and a KVM console drawer?
A KVM console drawer includes the display, keyboard, and pointing device in one slide-out unit, and often a built-in KVM switch to control multiple servers. A display-only rackmount LCD provides just the screen.
What size rackmount monitor should I choose?
17" and 19" units (1280x1024) cover most server rooms; 20" units reach 1600x1200 and widescreen models support 1080p or 1920x1200 for detailed monitoring. Match resolution to your KVM or server output.
Will a rackmount monitor fit a shallow or wall-mount rack?
Only if you choose a short-depth model. Measure the usable mounting depth of your rack first, then select a short-depth rackmount monitor drawer for cabinets and wall-mount racks.
Can one rackmount monitor control multiple servers?
Yes. Choose a KVM console drawer with a built-in 8- or 16-port KVM switch, or an IP/Cat5 KVM model to switch between and remotely access many servers from one console.
What video connections do rackmount monitors support?
VGA, DVI-D, HDMI, and DisplayPort are all available, with composite and S-Video on select AV models. Pick the input that matches your servers or KVM switch to avoid adapters.
Not sure which rackmount monitor fits your rack? Our engineers help match size, resolution, interface, rack depth, and power to your environment. Call (216) 798-7530 for a system design.
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