PS/2 Mechanical Keyboard?

DragonQ

DragonQ

DragonQ

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Joined
13 Jun 2009
Posts
6,872
I'm looking to get a basic mechanical keyboard for work. I have a Ducky DK2108 at home which I love but unfortunately I can't use the same model at work - we use PS/2 KVMs, which do not work with USB keyboards (even with USB-to-PS/2 adapters).

Does anyone know of any basic mechanical keyboards for sale in the UK that are natively PS/2?
 
Pretty sure you could just use a USB -> PS/2 adaptor and it would work fine on the KVM. Otherwise you could always buy yourself a Model M and really causing the workplace to hate you.
 
SuperG said:
check out Steelseries 6Gv2 and 7G keyboards
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Thanks for the suggestion. These are both USB keyboards as far as I can tell, what makes you think they would work with a PS/2 KVM? Also, neither seems to have an option for Cherry MX brown switches.

UberGinge said:
Pretty sure you could just use a USB -> PS/2 adaptor and it would work fine on the KVM. Otherwise you could always buy yourself a Model M and really causing the workplace to hate you.
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Unfortunately not, I have tried two USB keyboards and neither works with the KVM. Others at work have reported the same thing.
 
UberGinge said:
Is it out of the question for them to obtain USB KVMs? Is there a particular reason behind PS/2 KVMs?
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We have some USB KVMs but they are slow. I switch between 2 PCs dozens of times a day PS/2 KVMs provide instant switching, rather than waiting 5-10 seconds every time I switch.

I hear USB KVMs with DDM technology provide instant switching but they'd cost more than a mechanical keyboard! I tried my Ducky keyboard on the off-chance but, as expected, it doesn't work with the KVM. It's possible that a USB keyboard that actually comes with its own PS/2 adapter might work, I just can't find any information on the web about this.
 
DragonQ said:
We have some USB KVMs but they are slow. I switch between 2 PCs dozens of times a day PS/2 KVMs provide instant switching, rather than waiting 5-10 seconds every time I switch.

I hear USB KVMs with DDM technology provide instant switching but they'd cost more than a mechanical keyboard! I tried my Ducky keyboard on the off-chance but, as expected, it doesn't work with the KVM. It's possible that a USB keyboard that actually comes with its own PS/2 adapter might work, I just can't find any information on the web about this.
Click to expand...

It might be worth trying a bog standard USB keyboard via PS/2 adapter, could be that the Ducky needs more power than the KVM can provide.
 
UberGinge said:
It might be worth trying a bog standard USB keyboard via PS/2 adapter, could be that the Ducky needs more power than the KVM can provide.
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I have before, didn't work. It was a bog-standard DELL USB keyboard.

The Steelseries 6Gv2 and 7G keyboards don't seem to be available with Cherry MX Brown switches. The Das Keyboard 3/4/S all apparently support PS/2 KVMs but they are expensive. I think I'll order a Das Keyboard 3 from here (for next day delivery) and see if it works. If so, I'll probably keep it. If not, I'll return it.
 
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Filco keyboards come with a PS/2 adaptor and in fact you get other benefits from using PS/2 as well such as true N-Key rollover.

My Filco keyboard is the best keyboard I have ever owned. They aren't exactly cheap but they are built to last. Well worth the money in my eyes and you get a wide selection of Cherry MX switches to choose from as well.
 
Well the Das Keyboard 3 seems to work perfectly with the PS/2 KVM, so it looks like I'll be keeping it. Definitely more than I was hoping to spend but at least it works.
 
Cromulent said:
Filco keyboards come with a PS/2 adaptor and in fact you get other benefits from using PS/2 as well such as true N-Key rollover.

My Filco keyboard is the best keyboard I have ever owned. They aren't exactly cheap but they are built to last. Well worth the money in my eyes and you get a wide selection of Cherry MX switches to choose from as well.
Click to expand...

This. I had a Filco Majestouch 2 which had some sort of PS/2 mode when using the supplied adapter. May work with the KVM switch. I do have a KVM switch I could test with but sadly I killed my Filco by accidently spilling tea on it :D.
 
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