PS/2 is an old data port from IBM meaning “Personal System 2” and it was typically connected to computers for Keyboard entry at a time when early PCs were in use. It is a Digital Protocol, although the communication in PS/2 and USB follows a Serial communication path. All connections of keyboards and mice are made with 6-pin mini-DIN ports on computer systems that comply with the IBM Personal System 2 specifications. The name comes from the introduction of this protocol in 1987, which was later replaced by USB with its more forgiving power requirements and many other benefits not afforded yet by PS/2.

You may think that since USB seems to be more commonly used nowadays for mouse and keyboard input, it is therefore automatically faster than the PS/2 port. However, this simply is not a sure thing. Although USB is still more or less on equal footing with its old rival, PS/2 (which is faster in the real world and offers a much higher latency than PS/2), gamers will generally prefer the PS/2 port however, since the inputs are near-instant compared to those from a USB mouse and keyboard. It also offers NKRO, (or N-Key RollOver) which is an acronym that generally refers to the ability of a keyboard to correctly identify and register all keys that are pressed on it. If you have an NKRO keyboard, it can register each key as accurately as if you were pressing only one.

The only difference between a USB mouse and one that uses an old PS/2 connection is the way it attaches to your computer. The newer USB standard has replaced the older PS/2, but this doesn't mean that it's outdated. This is why here at Adept Networks, we offer a whole variety of adaptors to cover every possibility when it comes to your adaptor problems. We stock mouse and keyboard adaptors plus ones converting from the PS/2 connection into both USB as well as Serial mice adaptors.

Browse our range today, or contact us and we can help you to find the best product for you.

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