Should I get a USB keyboard?

[WinkOsmosis]

I think I'm going to get one of these Darwin Smartboards. Should I get a USB one? Is there any reason to get a ps/2 keyboard in 2003? I would keep a ps/2 keyboard for BIOS flashing in DOS, etc... those USB keyboards look so nice!

 

[CraigRT]

I'd go with USB only for potential future use. your BIOS has to be set to legacy USB support so you can use the keyboard to get in and out of the BIOS. make sure that's set with a PS/2 keyboard first (just make sure it's enabled) then get your USB keyboard

 

[WinkOsmosis]

I ordered the keyboard.. but they are back ordered for a month!

 

[sassy1]

Is there a vast difference between this and Microsoft's Natural Elite keyboard? I have the MS Natural and only paid like $20 for it, it comes with a PS2 connector with a USB adapter, so you get the choice, and it's a whole lot cheaper... I know several sites selliing them for $15-20 + shipping.

Sassy

 

[JesusFish]

Been using a USB keyboard for awhile now, no problems and if you really have to use ps2 most come with the usb->ps2 adaptor.

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Originally posted by: sassy1
Is there a vast difference between this and Microsoft's Natural Elite keyboard? I have the MS Natural and only paid like $20 for it, it comes with a PS2 connector with a USB adapter, so you get the choice, and it's a whole lot cheaper... I know several sites selliing them for $15-20 + shipping.

Sassy

It's alot different. The keys aren't staggered, so your fingers follow a natural motion, instead of that diagonal BS left over from typewriters. Also, it uses microswitches, with springs (I think it uses springs), so it feels alot better than membrane-nipple keyboards. I type alot faster with one of those than with any other keyboard, and my fingers don't hurt after alot of typing.

 

[vegetation]

I would keep using a PS2 connection. Note, you can use usb keyboards with ps/2 with the right adapter. There's just too much legacy history even with modern windows systems. For example, with the windows boot loader I can't even select which OS to load since the usb keyboard is not recognized.

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: vegetation
I would keep using a PS2 connection. Note, you can use usb keyboards with ps/2 with the right adapter. There's just too much legacy history even with modern windows systems. For example, with the windows boot loader I can't even select which OS to load since the usb keyboard is not recognized.

my usb keyboard works perfect anytime

(then again i have no choice of PS2 or USB)

 

[WinkOsmosis]

My motherboard supports some kind of USB legacy mode, so the keyboard should work in DOS right?

 

[HumbleFish]

Why mess with perfection?... Stick with PS/2 and save Yourself some trouble.

 

[Linux23]

if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[magomago]

i don't see any glaring need to switch to USB in keyboards. Hell, I'm using one of those old fatty pin keyboarsd with a PS/2 adapter

I understand lets say moving to USB2.0, or getting faster HD speeds....but a USB keyboard isn't more "responsive" or whatever you want to call it

 

[Sid59]

70 USD for the natural Keyboard?! geez

 

[Talon02]

nah, PS2 is good enough

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: Linux23
if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Well, the issue is that nicer/newer keyboards with more options (built-in macros, fn + key commands, and app launchers) other than your standard 101 qwerty keyboard styles are coming out in USB. I've used 2 wireless USB keyboard sets on my last 2 mobos (8KHA+ and current A7N8X). The 8KHA+ required setting USB legacy support, however, the A7N8X works flawlessly with plug and play USB. I've gone through numerous BIOS edits, Windows installations, and BIOS flashes w/out a hitch using a wireless USB keyboard.

Chiz

 

[ozone13]

usb keyboards are great if you have a usb hub built into it (MS natural keyboard pro, for example - can't use the hub if you have your keyboard plugged in via ps/2)....otherwise its not that important.

 

[Shalmanese]

In my mind, USB support for keyboards is about as important as AGP8X for Video Cards or ATA133 for Hard Drives.

 

[crown711]

if it ain't broke,break it .fix it,bit!h.ha ha

 

[ScrewFace]

There's no need for a USB keyboard. By using a PS/2 you can free up an IRQ that USB uses and PS/2 doesn't for something else. Also, I couldn't access my BIOS when I used USB so I went back to PS/2. No difference IMHO.

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Originally posted by: ScrewFace
There's no need for a USB keyboard. By using a PS/2 you can free up an IRQ that USB uses and PS/2 doesn't for something else. Also, I couldn't access my BIOS when I used USB so I went back to PS/2. No difference IMHO.

All USB devices share one IRQ don't they?

 

[SUOrangeman]

Of my 6 installed OSes, I only use PS/2 for one of them ... and that's only until SP4 is released for Win2K. The other 4 versions of Windows have no problem with USB, neither does BeOS MAX, Knoppix/Debian Linux, nor FreeBSD 5.

As far as IRQs go, ACPI is helping alleviate some of the pain. Should be fewer IRQ problems with recent OSes these days. And its not like some mobos only have one USB controller onboard anymore.

-SUO, MS Natural Pro with USB & P/S2 connectors

 

[jaeger66]

Originally posted by: ScrewFace
There's no need for a USB keyboard. By using a PS/2 you can free up an IRQ that USB uses and PS/2 doesn't for something else. Also, I couldn't access my BIOS when I used USB so I went back to PS/2. No difference IMHO.

Untrue. The ps/2 port takes an IRQ just like a USB hub.

 

[jaeger66]

Originally posted by: Jellomancer

All USB devices share one IRQ don't they?

Each USB device on a hub takes 1 IRQ.

 

[jaeger66]

Originally posted by: Jellomancer
I think I'm going to get one of these Darwin Smartboards. Should I get a USB one? Is there any reason to get a ps/2 keyboard in 2003? I would keep a ps/2 keyboard for BIOS flashing in DOS, etc... those USB keyboards look so nice!

Leagcy free is the way to go. I haven't used a PS/2, serial, or parallel device, or a floppy drive, in years.

 

[CybDude]

I would assume this to be on topic. I have personally been looking into the new Microsoft Bluetooth keyboard. Seeing as it connects through an USB Bluetooth receiver not specific for input devices, I would assume the keyboard would be useless until in Windows. Due to this limitation you would have to use a separate keyboard if you wished to, for example, enter your BIOS. If anyone has this keyboard could you either confirm or disprove this.

Thanks in advance.