Need a new wired keyboard with PS/2 support

[wetcat007]

I'm having trouble finding a simple wired keyboard that I like. It needs to be quiet/have a decent feel to it. It also needs to use a normal keyboard layout(i can't believe how many companies seem to feel the need to reinvent the wheel!). Right now I'm using a saitek keyboard which i like, but it unfortunately does not work on a PS/2 kvm, and i need a keyboard that does.

Also I would like minimal media keys, looking for a simple look preferably black colored

Example of what I consider a normal keyboard layout
http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/xoxide/saitek-eclipse-kb-2.jpg

I was considering das keyboard, but I would prefer a keyboard that isn't really noisy....

lol im being picky..

Anyone have some suggestions?

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: wetcat007
lol im being picky..

Anyone have some suggestions?

Yeah, stop being picky. Buy this one, and stop whining.

 

[Blain]

A friend of mine was in the exact same KVM boat as you.
I just installed one of these Logitech Ultra X keyboards for her. It's a very sleek keyboard. The keys are low profile and have a nice solid feel to them.

Yes, I ordered the KB Mouse combo. I couldn't find the PS/2 keyboard alone. The listing for the Ultra X keyboard alone was for USB. I just kept the mouse for a spare.

 

[ribbon13]

DAS KEYBOARD! OMG!
http://www.thinkcomputers.org/forum/showthread.php?t=719

Ok... now.

http://www.barrys-rigs-n-reviews.com/reviews/2007/hardware/m10key/m10key.htm

 

[Maluno]

t000000 feeegggspensiv3333!1111!!!!!!!!!!!1!!!!!!!!!

 

[wetcat007]

Originally posted by: myocardia

Originally posted by: wetcat007
lol im being picky..

Anyone have some suggestions?

Yeah, stop being picky. Buy this one, and stop whining.

it's got the tiny backspace key

 

[Zepper]

Look at Keytronics - provantage.com usually has a good stock, newegg carries some models but not many. If you go to the keytronic site you'll see they have hundreds of variants. Look for one with the "ergo feel" feature (different keys have different pressures) basically the same as the original Das Keyboard. They have the OTK (One True Keyboard, aka original IBM AT layout) in many series. But all the ones with the dedicated function keys have the dang big-L return.

Check out this page: http://www.centrix-intl.com/list.asp?CategoryID=25

And this one: http://www.geeks.com/products.asp?cat=KYB

Logitech and M$ kbds generally are close to the OTK.

.bh.

 

[Synomenon]

Have you checked Newegg's selection of PS/2 keyboards?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010290063

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi...egory=63&description=&Ntk=&srchInDesc=

 

[Zepper]

Added to my earlier post.

.bh.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Whatever happened to good old clicky keyboards. Now you can't seem to find a one. I should have saved some of them from years ago.

 

[Puffnstuff]

You do realize that you can buy any usb keyboard that you want to and then use a usb to ps2 adaptor, right?

 

[ribbon13]

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry
Whatever happened to good old clicky keyboards. Now you can't seem to find a one. I should have saved some of them from years ago.

obviously missed my post....

 

[ribbon13]

http://lowendmac.com/fishkin/07/0115.html

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: ribbon13

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry
Whatever happened to good old clicky keyboards. Now you can't seem to find a one. I should have saved some of them from years ago.

obviously missed my post....

No I didn't - those Keytronic keyboards use "membrane switches" - aka non-clicky.

 

[ribbon13]

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry

Originally posted by: ribbon13

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry
Whatever happened to good old clicky keyboards. Now you can't seem to find a one. I should have saved some of them from years ago.

obviously missed my post....

No I didn't - those Keytronic keyboards use "membrane switches" - aka non-clicky.

sELF-PWNAGE


seriously, I already l;inked the best mechanical keyswitch board under $120 already
http://www.barrys-rigs-n-reviews.com/reviews/2007/hardware/m10key/m10key.htm

 

[dawza]

The KB in the second link in ribbon13's post is a mechanical "clicky" keyswitch model- not quite buckling spring Model-M clicky, but clicky nonetheless.

Model Ms can still be found in various states of use on eBay for $25-30.

mcbia.com still sells used Model Ms for $25 shipped; I am typing on one purchased from there right now. They even have the pre-Lexmark grey-label Ms available, but supposedly are running low on them.

clickykeyboards.com sells new and used Model Ms, and other clicky keyboards. They clean their used keyboards beforehand, so there is an additional price premium over ones purchased from eBay or mcbia. If you want a NOS Model M, though, they are the place to look. Again, be prepared to pay an additional premium. Great customer service to boot.

pckeyboard.com currently owns the patent for the original Model M buckling spring mechanism, and sells their own remake of the OTK. Expensive, though, and supposedly not quite up to the tank-like standards of the pre-Lexmark Ms. And, the cables are permanently attached.

Then, there are the various clicky non-buckling spring keyboards which mostly use Cherry or Alps keyswitches.

 

[Synomenon]

Originally posted by: Puffnstuff
You do realize that you can buy any usb keyboard that you want to and then use a usb to ps2 adaptor, right?

Not all USB keyboards will work with simple USB to PS/2 adapters. I have a couple of USB keyboards that require a USB to PS/2 adapter that has an active converter on it to translate the USB signals into PS/2 signals.

 

[ribbon13]

Originally posted by: IsLNdbOi

Originally posted by: Puffnstuff
You do realize that you can buy any usb keyboard that you want to and then use a usb to ps2 adaptor, right?

Not all USB keyboards will work with simple USB to PS/2 adapters. I have a couple of USB keyboards that require a USB to PS/2 adapter that has an active converter on it to translate the USB signals into PS/2 signals.

dansdata covers this well, in the middle lower section of this page
http://www.dansdata.com/clickykeyboards.htm