GoPubby - Why PS/2 Port is still Included in Modern Motherboard?

I've used PS/2 ports to connect the keyboard and mouse to a computer in the late 1990s. Thirty years have passed. Now I'm looking to buy a modern motherboard, but astonished to find that in the most advanced MSI MEG Z490 motherboard to accommodate the newly released the 10th generation Intel I9 processor, there is still a PS/2 port. At first thought, I would consider this to be outdated. After doing some homework learning the reasons behind it, I've changed my mind. Here are the special reasons why PS/2 is important for a top-notch computer: (1) Drivers. In contrast to USB ports, PS/2 ports for keyboard and mouse will work with devices without having to download the latest drivers. Although all devices require drivers to work, there is a catch when it comes to USB keyboards and mouse. The USB port itself requires a driver. USB ports not functioning properly due to a driver issue may occur from time to time during a Windows Feature Update or a update provided by the OEM is nothing new. Sometimes the driver issue happens by itself. In addition, for systems where "optimized defaults" loads OS before USB keyboard is active, you must have a keyboard on PS/2 to operate the machine. Examples like a firmware/BIOS update or CMOS reset will render USB keyboard unusable to enter SETUP/BIOS or early boot menus (until a complete reboot), whereas the PS/2 will be very handy. Thus, the PS/2 port acts as a backup in this circumstances. (2) Limits on n-key rollover. The USB protocol limits the n-key rollover to a maximum of 6, meaning if you play a game that uses tons of buttons after 6 keys you start missing keys no matter how good your board is. PS/2 ports, on the other hand, allow full n-key rollover. (3) IT security. USB ports might be disabled to end users to avoid security risks (data theft, virus and malware injection etc) on business desktops and workstations in an IT corporate infrastructure. PS/2 ports are for keyboard and mouse only, and thus are considered secure for all non IT Admin users. (4) PS/2 connector gives slightly better keyboard performance than USB and is more reliable. You may throw a PS/2 keyboard to a dishwasher to clean and it is still going strong, while the modern mechanical USB keyboard stop working for 24 hours if a drop of water falls inside a key. These indeed surprised me after I learned PS/2 ports have so many advantages. Since there is only 1 PS/2 port on the top-notch MSI motherboard, I think I will let this most important port taken by a PS/2 keyboard. Actually, the PS/2 mouse can be very difficult to find these days, and I will just use a USB mouse.

Why PS/2 Port is still Included in Modern Motherboard?

Daily Deals

Links