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Which is better - I-pac or KeyWiz keyboard encoder?
missioncontrol:
another review
http://www.retroblast.com/Hardware/The-Ultimarc-Mini-Pac-Encoder.php
I-Pac review, but it's horribly out of date now (PS-2 only, etc...)
http://www.retroblast.com/Hardware/RetroBlast-IPAC-Review.php
Tiger-Heli:
--- Quote from: patrickl on January 31, 2008, 07:55:09 am ---Check if your computer has ps/2. Most new computers don't have ps/2 ports anymore so you would be hard pressed to attach a ps/2 device to it.
--- End quote ---
Not sure how many new PC's are lacking PS/2 ports, but if you don't have one the KeyWiz isn't for you. This then becomes a GP-Wiz vs. I-PAC issue, but not for this thread.
--- Quote ---BTW you can use the IPAC ps/2 cable with a ps/2 usb adapter to hook it up to a USB port. So even if you buy it with ps/2 now you can always switch later. Most people will have one of these adapters laying around (I think I collected at least a few dozen over the years).
--- End quote ---
I am not sure that works with the I-PAC or not - there is a USB cable that you could probably buy separately from Andy that will work. I tried the adapter route with the KeyWiz with less than stellar results, but I can't say that the I-Pac would be the same.
patrickl:
--- Quote from: Tiger-Heli on January 31, 2008, 09:56:05 am ---
--- Quote from: patrickl on January 31, 2008, 07:55:09 am ---Check if your computer has ps/2. Most new computers don't have ps/2 ports anymore so you would be hard pressed to attach a ps/2 device to it.
--- End quote ---
Not sure how many new PC's are lacking PS/2 ports, but if you don't have one the KeyWiz isn't for you. This then becomes a GP-Wiz vs. I-PAC issue, but not for this thread.
--- End quote ---
Of the last 5 computer I bought over the last few years none had a PS/2 connector.
--- Quote ---
--- Quote ---BTW you can use the IPAC ps/2 cable with a ps/2 usb adapter to hook it up to a USB port. So even if you buy it with ps/2 now you can always switch later. Most people will have one of these adapters laying around (I think I collected at least a few dozen over the years).
--- End quote ---
I am not sure that works with the I-PAC or not - there is a USB cable that you could probably buy separately from Andy that will work. I tried the adapter route with the KeyWiz with less than stellar results, but I can't say that the I-Pac would be the same.
--- End quote ---
I'm talking about something like this. Works fine. I use it too.
BTW I'm not making this up. Andy confirmed that it works (in threads here on BYOAC even). The IPAC basically is a ps/2 + USB capable device. Just what those little adapters were made for.
RandyT:
--- Quote from: patrickl on January 31, 2008, 10:40:46 am ---Of the last 5 computer I bought over the last few years none had a PS/2 connector.
--- End quote ---
That's because you keep buying computers that don't have them. :) We did this dance a few years back when people were incorrectly predicting that the demise of PS/2 was "right around the corner" (and I think you were one of them, using the same shaky argument). As I stated then, it isn't going to happen any time soon. I don't know how it is in the EU, but those "legacy free" systems traditionally don't sell well here. I see them on the surplus sites as new stock (not re-furbs like the higher spec machines with legacy support.) And they sell only marginally well at reduced price.
Consumers still demand that their systems support legacy hardware, and as long as they do, you will continue to see it on the majority of systems. Nobody intentionally opts for less compatibility out of their $500+ investment, and I personally would never buy one lacking in ports unless it was A: Very inexpensive and B: Slated for a very specific purpose like a set-top multimedia box.
That being said, it's hard to say how long new consumers will continue to demand it, as the lower end systems from mainstream marketers are starting to go USB. But that still doesn't change the availability of all those legacy systems that are perfect for dedicated Arcade systems ;)
RandyT
Tiger-Heli:
--- Quote from: patrickl on January 31, 2008, 10:40:46 am ---BTW I'm not making this up. Andy confirmed that it works (in threads here on BYOAC even). The IPAC basically is a ps/2 + USB capable device. Just what those little adapters were made for.
--- End quote ---
I didn't accuse you of that - I merely stated that those adapters don't work (well the kind I tried) with the KeyWiz, and RandyT has said as much before.