Enermax Crystal Keyboard @ Neoseeker

**MIG-31** · Jul 20, 2006, 07:42 AM

Review: Neoseeker
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Enermax is one of those manufacturers that has been providing some very nice products to the PC consumer market for years. They have a selection of cases with solid design, robust features, and attractive appearance. And of course, Enermax manufacturers a selection of high efficiency power supplies for all of those electron hungry systems out there. But they don't stop there. Enermax also provides some external hard drive enclosures for secure data storage, and even mobile racks for hard drive swapping.

Tipstaff · Jul 20, 2006, 08:21 AM

While I like the brushed aluminum look I'm still trying to figure something out: why is there a 2nd backslash key, and why is it between the left ALT key and Space bar?

Golbeze · Jul 20, 2006, 11:24 AM

Sounds like a nice keyboard, although the buttons being changed around is a minus, as is the short distance you press them in. I prefer the feel of normal keyboard buttons. Besides that, I'm already satisfied with my Logitech Cordless desktop.

It's real nice not having to worry about wires, especially with the mouse.

One thing I've been wondering about USB keyboards and mice; what's the advantage of them over regular PS/2 connectors? Other than hot-plugging. I just don't see any kind of advantage of a USB port, as I've never had an urge to unplug my keyboard or mouse while my comp is switched on, and I've not noticed a performance difference, either.

Tipstaff · Jul 21, 2006, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Golbeze

One thing I've been wondering about USB keyboards and mice; what's the advantage of them over regular PS/2 connectors? Other than hot-plugging. I just don't see any kind of advantage of a USB port, as I've never had an urge to unplug my keyboard or mouse while my comp is switched on, and I've not noticed a performance difference, either.

Extra power supplied by the USB port (USBs 500mA vs PS2s 100mA), higher polling/sampling rate (USB 1.0/1.1 was 133Hz I think, USB 2.0 is 1000Hz vs PS2s 200Hz), and the ability to transfer more data over the USB port (480Mbps with USB 2.0) vs the PS2 port (40kbps).

For keyboards, performance wise there is no difference between a USB keyboard or PS2 one. Both offer the same styling, same performance, and both come in wireless forms. The real difference for USB boards is in features, such as digital devices/paneling, fingerprint scanners, more backlighting options, more programability, and a few other options. While I can't remember 100%, I think USB boards also allow for a greater number of simultaneous key pressess over PS2. Meaning you can hold more combinations of keys down at any one time (but again, I can't be 100% sure on this at the moment).

For mice, with USBs higher polling/sampling rate (up to 1000Hz vs PS2s max 200Hz) translates into a more responsive mouse, especially in games. Have you ever play an FPS game, were getting great frame rates, yet your mouse was a bit laggy, or seemed to be slow to responed? That's because your game is drawing the frames faster than your mouse is updating Windows. Faster sampling rate translates into faster response. At 10000Hz a USB mouse can have a response rate of 1ms. Of note, the default for USB mice is 125Hz (or 8ms response), while default PS2 rate is set at 60Hz (even slower for older OS). One problem with tweaking the PS2 rate is that even if you tweak it to 200Hz the average rate will top out at 120Hz. So, couple USBs ablility of a faster respone rate with a higher DPI rated mouse, and you have one huge advantage in gaming, especially FPS games. The drawback is that in normal, everyday use, that faster response can be a pain.... especially for photoediting work. That's why some of the newer mice allow you to change the sampling rate and DPI down or up on the fly.

So, while switching to a USB keyboard isn't a major or necessary thing (I use a PS2 keyboard myself), going to a USB mouse is a whole different ballgame. It's almost a must for gamers, especially FPS gaming. A USB mouse that has a faster sampling rate, and higher DPI can make the world of difference in an FPS.

Golbeze · Jul 21, 2006, 01:49 PM

Ok, I can see the advantage of a USB mouse. FPS games aren't something I could really ever get into, but I can see the advantage of having a mouse with a faster response rate.
I've just always wondered that, as the first game I played with a mouse rather than a gamepad was Oblivion, and I've had troubles with USB keyboards concerning the BIOS and selecting between two operating systems, where it just wouldn't respond.

Erroneus · Jul 21, 2006, 02:01 PM

:O I'm in love!

Low profile keys, black keys, alu, very slim, usb hub!! :O

And offcourse i cant find anywhere here in Denmark, sigh

Jul 20, 2006, 07:42 AM	#1
MIG-31 HardwareHeaven News Mod Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Nottingham,UK Posts: 56,818 Rep Power: 471 System Specs	Enermax Crystal Keyboard @ Neoseeker Review: Neoseeker ________________ Enermax is one of those manufacturers that has been providing some very nice products to the PC consumer market for years. They have a selection of cases with solid design, robust features, and attractive appearance. And of course, Enermax manufacturers a selection of high efficiency power supplies for all of those electron hungry systems out there. But they don't stop there. Enermax also provides some external hard drive enclosures for secure data storage, and even mobile racks for hard drive swapping. __________________ Please Post Your News Submissions Here

Jul 20, 2006, 08:21 AM	#2
Tipstaff HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Torauna Posts: 6,773 Rep Power: 190 System Specs	While I like the brushed aluminum look I'm still trying to figure something out: why is there a 2nd backslash key, and why is it between the left ALT key and Space bar? __________________ Portal: The Flash Version _________________________________ Brain: So, you sacked the cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker? Mr. Sackett: The second cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker I've sacked since the sixth sitting sheet slitter got sick.

Jul 21, 2006, 02:01 PM	#6
Erroneus Get off my lawn! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Denmark Posts: 13,417 Rep Power: 119 System Specs	:O I'm in love! Low profile keys, black keys, alu, very slim, usb hub!! :O And offcourse i cant find anywhere here in Denmark, sigh __________________

Jul 20, 2006, 11:24 AM	#3
Golbeze HardwareHeaven Addict Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 276 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Sounds like a nice keyboard, although the buttons being changed around is a minus, as is the short distance you press them in. I prefer the feel of normal keyboard buttons. Besides that, I'm already satisfied with my Logitech Cordless desktop. It's real nice not having to worry about wires, especially with the mouse. One thing I've been wondering about USB keyboards and mice; what's the advantage of them over regular PS/2 connectors? Other than hot-plugging. I just don't see any kind of advantage of a USB port, as I've never had an urge to unplug my keyboard or mouse while my comp is switched on, and I've not noticed a performance difference, either.

Jul 21, 2006, 01:49 PM	#5
Golbeze HardwareHeaven Addict Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 276 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Ok, I can see the advantage of a USB mouse. FPS games aren't something I could really ever get into, but I can see the advantage of having a mouse with a faster response rate. I've just always wondered that, as the first game I played with a mouse rather than a gamepad was Oblivion, and I've had troubles with USB keyboards concerning the BIOS and selecting between two operating systems, where it just wouldn't respond.