Commander X16

oodler wrote: ↑Tue Aug 20, 2024 3:25 pm IIRC USB to PS/2 converters won't work, so you're stuck with just PS/2. And you can get decent older ones on eBay or Goodwill. If you really want to spend money I can't help. Are you wanting to keep it X16 branded?

ahenry3068 wrote: ↑Tue Aug 20, 2024 5:25 pm USB to PS/2 convertors will work SOMETIMES they only work if the keyboard itself supports the PS/2 interface since the adaptor is just a passive device. In the early day's of USB keyboards this was quite common. Most recent keyboards have dispensed with that support though.

voidstar wrote: ↑Wed Aug 21, 2024 3:35 am I have both the black and white WASD X16 keyboards (not sure why they wouldn't have the white one's available anymore?). Both have their pro's and con's: the white one seems a bit heavier (despite being shorter since it doesn't have the numeric keypad), and there are lots of subtle key differences between the two.

If you upgrade the X16 SMC to newest and the System ROM, the MENU now has options to increase the repeat rate of the keyboard (30Hz and decrease the repeat delay, making it much easier to drive the cursor around the screen and X16 EDIT - and can actually type faster than 300 baud across the serial connection). The Perixx keyboards don't seem to support this speedup feature.

Overall, the WASD Mechanical I can type much faster and more accurately - it really is more pleasant than the Perixx. But it is annoying that the WASD has to go through a USB dongle adapter (which means in tight desk spaces, you can't push the case back as far).


EDIT: also - my IBM Model F (1981-1983) keyboard didn't work with the X16 (it's a very ancient and picky keyboard), but the IBM Model M's did work for me with a DIN to PS/2 adapter. i.e. look for IBM keyboards with the F-keys along the top (avoid the one with the F-keys at the left side).

voidstar wrote: ↑Wed Aug 21, 2024 3:35 am
EDIT: also - my IBM Model F (1981-1983) keyboard didn't work with the X16 (it's a very ancient and picky keyboard), but the IBM Model M's did work for me with a DIN to PS/2 adapter. i.e. look for IBM keyboards with the F-keys along the top (avoid the one with the F-keys at the left side).

vasyl wrote: ↑Sun Oct 06, 2024 12:31 am As nobody have mentioned this, there is a USB to PS/2 adapter that generally works - https://www.kvm-switches-online.com/0dt60002.html (Amazon has it for a little bit cheaper). I haven't used it on CX16 yet, still waiting for my system, but it works exceptionally well on my retro PC build. No problems with any wired devices. Wireless support is a different story - I suspect PS/2 port just don't have enough power. It is pricey, but it may still be cheaper than a nice mech keyboard, definitely cheaper than a WASD keyboard.

vasyl wrote: ↑Sun Oct 06, 2024 12:31 am As nobody have mentioned this, there is a USB to PS/2 adapter that generally works - https://www.kvm-switches-online.com/0dt60002.html (Amazon has it for a little bit cheaper). I haven't used it on CX16 yet, still waiting for my system, but it works exceptionally well on my retro PC build. No problems with any wired devices. Wireless support is a different story - I suspect PS/2 port just don't have enough power. It is pricey, but it may still be cheaper than a nice mech keyboard, definitely cheaper than a WASD keyboard.