**World Exclusive** Abit AT7 Review *UPDATE* Another review up

[McCarthy]

Uh, I'll get behind dropping the serial and parallel ports, but PS/2 ports....nah. They're still perfectly fine. Show me what improvement a USB mouse or keyboard has over a PS/2 version. Ok, 1 IRQ. When was the last time anyone ran out of IRQs? Especially with those aforementioned ports disabled.

I'm sorry, but going purist about 'legacy free' is as bad as going purist about anything. Just leads to bloodshed. Little common sense never hurt anyone.

The board itself seems rather ho-hum. Woohoo integrated out the zazzu and 3 PCI slots, where's the Packard Bell logo? The only thing I particularly like about it is the 6 IDE channels in non raid configuration. But I'm more interested in using this soapbox to support PS/2 ports for the moment.

--Mc

 

[NFS4]

<< Uh, I'll get behind dropping the serial and parallel ports, but PS/2 ports....nah. They're still perfectly fine. Show me what improvement a USB mouse or keyboard has over a PS/2 version. Ok, 1 IRQ. When was the last time anyone ran out of IRQs? Especially with those aforementioned ports disabled.

I'm sorry, but going purist about 'legacy free' is as bad as going purist about anything. Just leads to bloodshed. Little common sense never hurt anyone.

The board itself seems rather ho-hum. Woohoo integrated out the zazzu and 3 PCI slots, where's the Packard Bell logo? The only thing I particularly like about it is the 6 IDE channels in non raid configuration. But I'm more interested in using this soapbox to support PS/2 ports for the moment.

--Mc >>


Shall we bring back ISA, Socket-7, 5 1/4 drives, and SIMMs while we're at it?

As for the 3 PCI slots, you have everything onboard (USB 2.0, Firewire, 5-channel audio, NIC)...why would you need more slots? DUH!

 

[Shalmanese]

Shall we bring back ISA, Socket-7, 5 1/4 drives, and SIMMs while we're at it?

One problem:

ISA - PCI = Higher Bandwidth
Socket - 7 - Slot A = Something or other, Intel monopoly probablty
5 1/4 - 3 1/2 drives = more compact
SIMMS - DIMMS = faster, no need to install in pairs
PS/2 - USB = ???

There is no INCENTIVE for people to move to USB, none at all, especially for keyboards.

Show me something a USB keyboard can do that a PS/2 one cant.

 

[visceral]

<< Uh, I'll get behind dropping the serial and parallel ports, but PS/2 ports....nah. They're still perfectly fine. Show me what improvement a USB mouse or keyboard has over a PS/2 version. Ok, 1 IRQ. When was the last time anyone ran out of IRQs? Especially with those aforementioned ports disabled >>



There is the aspect of not bending/braking the pins on a usb plug, and you can unplug it without the chance of blowing the port. I think this kind of setup would suit laptops quite well /me points at lady in downstairs office with broke parallel cable

 

[NFS4]

<< Shall we bring back ISA, Socket-7, 5 1/4 drives, and SIMMs while we're at it?

One problem:

ISA - PCI = Higher Bandwidth
Socket - 7 - Slot A = Something or other, Intel monopoly probablty
5 1/4 - 3 1/2 drives = more compact
SIMMS - DIMMS = faster, no need to install in pairs
PS/2 - USB = ???

There is no INCENTIVE for people to move to USB, none at all, especially for keyboards.

Show me something a USB keyboard can do that a PS/2 one cant. >>


SIMPLE. Standard plug type for all external devices. DUH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No more idiots who bring their computers in and can't get their computer to boot b/c the keyboard and mouse doesn't work. Dumbasses (even with color coding) are sticking the keyboard in the mouse port and mouse in the keyboard port.

USB is a universal standard with the same plug type for all external devices. Simple and effective. Less differentiation, less to f*&k up Why have different PS2/Serial/Parallel ports when USB takes care of them all? It's all about standards and making things more simple.

If you can't see that, well sorry...

 

[PliotronX]

<< It's all about standards and making things more simple. >>


Why dumb it down for the advanced users? It's like saying we should make all ISPs like AOL because a lot of illiterate users can't get the internet working

I like my dual optical mouse on the PS2 port thank you very much. With the polling rate set to 200Hz, it's both smoother and does not skip like it does when hooked up via USB. I haven't checked out USB keyboards because frankly it wouldn't make a damn difference. I can't speak for the illiterate color blinded people out there, but I stand behind PS2 ports.

 

[NFS4]

<<

<< It's all about standards and making things more simple. >>


Why dumb it down for the advanced users? It's like saying we should make all ISPs like AOL because a lot of illiterate users can't get the internet working

I like my dual optical mouse on the PS2 port thank you very much. With the polling rate set to 200Hz, it's both smoother and does not skip like it does when hooked up via USB. I haven't checked out USB keyboards because frankly it wouldn't make a damn difference. I can't speak for the illiterate color blinded people out there, but I stand behind PS2 ports. >>


The dumbing down of the back of the computer has already started...remember when everything wasn't color-coded?? Stand by it all you want, but in a few years you'll be saying bye bye to PS2. But it makes perfect sense. Get rid of the crap you don't need.

USB 1.1/USB 2.0 to handle less demanding external peripheral needs (input/printers/scanners/game controllers/memory card readers/external CDRW's/etc.) and Firewire for the heavy duty stuff (digital video/high-speed storage). USB 1.1 ports will probably go the way of the dodo by the end of '02 on new motherboards.

2 standards vs 5
USB and Firewire vs USB/Firewire/Serial/PS2/Parallel.

I mean, it makes OBVIOUS sense. I mean, how hard is it to understand?

 

[Agent004]

<< SIMPLE. Standard plug type for all external devices. DUH >>



It also call a higher risk. If all the devices are connecting to the same bus/component, the more likely the component will fail due to excessive stress. Or poor power management will cause the devices not to function at optimal.



<< Simple and effective. Less differentiation, less to f*&k up >>



Once it's dead it's all gone, you can't use your scanner, mouse, keyboard and etc. While with different PS2/Serial/Parallel ports, one goes down and you can still the other devices

 

[PliotronX]

<< 2 standards vs 5
USB and Firewire vs USB/Firewire/Serial/PS2/Parallel. >>


Ah, I see where you're coming from. I think it would be best to leave the option open to have PS2 ports instead of 100% USB, but this would drive up costs for the mobo manufacturers. I'm hoping PS2 doesn't die any time soon though

 

[kgraeme]

First off, user-friendly design is not the same as dumbing down. Dumbing down is when you limit people, user-friendly is when you just make something easier. There IS a difference. Color-coding ports is not dumbing down. You are still have the exact same capabilities as before, it's just easier to remember which to plug into. Replacing PS/2 with USB is not dumbing down either. No capabilities have been removed, they have just been transferred over to a new port. A port that is actually MORE capable than the previous one.



<< Show me what improvement a USB mouse or keyboard has over a PS/2 version. >>



Hot swappability.
More simplified chipsets (no need to control PS/2, serial, parallel) should bring lower costs.



<< It also call a higher risk. If all the devices are connecting to the same bus/component, the more likely the component will fail due to excessive stress. >>



This is a pretty good point since it happened to me. Then I found the silver lining: cheap fix. Just add a $20 usb adapter and the whole system is working again. No more replacing the entire motherboard when an "accidental" hot plugging blows out the mobo.

 

[Agent004]

<< I found the silver lining: cheap fix. Just add a $20 usb adapter and the whole system is working again. No more replacing the entire motherboard when an "accidental" hot plugging blows out the mobo. >>



I prefer keep that 20 instead of having all on usb

 

[Athlon4all]

This will be the board for those who are legacy free, but, me, I've still got plenty legacy devices, so this board is not for me, but it is cool though.

 

[ElFenix]

<< Dumbasses (even with color coding) are sticking the keyboard in the mouse port and mouse in the keyboard port. >>

my computer happens to work plugged in that way. well, at least the only one i've ever tried that on.

really all i need is a ps/2 to usb adapter and i'll be all for it, so i can stock up on this plain-jane dell quietkey before you can't find the beige one anymore.

 

[venk]

I have a USB Keyboard and i run it through a PS2 adapter simply because windows has a much easioer time Identifiying PS2 devices than USB Devices.

 

[AmdInside]

I prefer Logitech mice for gaming (they just feel more solid that MS mice) and some games won't recognize the Logitech scroll wheel when it is plugged into the USB port.

Speaking of legacy....I am building a system for someone right now. Picked up a cheap Mitsumi floppy drive. Are floppy disk drives the only thing keeping Mitsumi in business? I swear I go to many computer shows, work with several computer systems and the only thing I see Mitsumi in are floppy disk drives.

 

[MrMaster]

Mitsumi also makes CD Rom drives and Burners. But yes the legacy free motherboard still has a stupid floppy connector on it. Ugh.

 

[smp]

I like the serial port.... where the hell am I gonna plug my stamp into?

 

[NFS4]

<< Mitsumi also makes CD Rom drives and Burners. But yes the legacy free motherboard still has a stupid floppy connector on it. Ugh. >>


Did you read the article???


<< Below the RAID channels you'll see a floppy adapter, one of the lingering legacy ports still found on this generation of MAX boards... I personally don't use a floppy drive anymore, but it will be necessary to use a floppy if you plan on installing Windows XP on a drive controlled by the Highpoint IDE. How ironic! >>

 

[nortexoid]

usb keyboards come w/ USB to PS/2 adapters.

but anyway, the board is decent...onboard audio seems like garbage though...ah well....

the black IDE cables are cool...it'd be the only reason i'd buy the board...probably toss it and keep the cables.

crappy chipset too...and that wasn't micro atx, was it? (they should've made it mATX..but then they might have had to use only max. 2 dimm slots..so what)...

whatever, decent board - no hype...i like getting rid of the legacy ports though, but I can't agree w/ getting rid of the ps/2 keyboard/mouse ports...too many kick ass ps/2 keyboards out there.

 

[NFS4]

<< usb keyboards come w/ USB to PS/2 adapters.

but anyway, the board is decent...onboard audio seems like garbage though...ah well....

the black IDE cables are cool...it'd be the only reason i'd buy the board...probably toss it and keep the cables.

crappy chipset too...and that wasn't micro atx, was it? (they should've made it mATX..but then they might have had to use only max. 2 dimm slots..so what)...

whatever, decent board - no hype...i like getting rid of the legacy ports though, but I can't agree w/ getting rid of the ps/2 keyboard/mouse ports...too many kick ass ps/2 keyboards out there. >>


What's so crappy about the KT333 chipset? Care to explain?

 

[zzzz]

I hope they release the P4 version soon.

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

<<

<< Mitsumi also makes CD Rom drives and Burners. But yes the legacy free motherboard still has a stupid floppy connector on it. Ugh. >>


Did you read the article???


<< Below the RAID channels you'll see a floppy adapter, one of the lingering legacy ports still found on this generation of MAX boards... I personally don't use a floppy drive anymore, but it will be necessary to use a floppy if you plan on installing Windows XP on a drive controlled by the Highpoint IDE. How ironic! >>

>>


why didnt they use a bootable cd? pretty simple solution, i have NO use for a floppy anymore.

 

[AA0]

There are several advantages to go USB.
1. common connection type, already mentioned.

2. You can add a device to your computer, and not have to reboot to get it to initialize, major major plus for me.

3. usb devices have a higher refresh rate then normal ps2 things, noticeable for mice.

4. windows xp works so much better with usb then ps2, much better than win98.

5. Less IRQs are always better.

6. Chipsets with less legacy support can be improved, when the time comes.

7. board layout will be much improved, as this one is.

reasons to take ps2 over

1. you are stubborn, and don't like change

2. you are cheap, and can't afford a $15 usb optical mouse

3. usb is difficult to spell

USB keyboards are fine as long as you have a good bios to support you in old command prompt systems.

 

[zzzz]

<< why didnt they use a bootable cd? pretty simple solution, i have NO use for a floppy anymore >>


Because winXPs installation routine looks for the drivers in the floppy.

 

[sharkeeper]

It would take a lot of file manipulating to get Windows 2000/XP installed on this board with a bootable drive connected to the HPT controller WITHOUT a floppy drive! Sorry folks, the floppy drive is going to be around a little longer! I don't know what the big beef is about having a floppy drive either. The floppy is a tool for the 7337 I suppose!

Cheers!