Quality Keyboards?

Factual Questions
1

Every keyboard I have used has had problems with keys locking out when pushed in certain combinations. The keyboard I have now is quite horrible at this. It is almost impossible to play a 2 player simultaneous hotseat game even if it just uses directions plus a couple buttons. Keyboards really seem to be degrading in quality over the years. Are there any keyboards that don’t lock out keys? A keyboard where every key could be depressed and still register would be ideal though not totally necessary. What are some regular (not some weird detachable, split, trackballed, etc…) keyboards available?

2

AFAIK, the most functional keyboards for multi-key use are USB keyboards. You CAN get them, and the port allows for more information to be passed through at a time… you might still have problems, but since keyboards aren’t really designed with gamers in mind, that’s pretty much the state of the technology. Have you considered configuring the game to joystick mode and getting two inexpensive joysticks?

3

The classic IBM-Lexmark 101 key keyboards are possibly the best and sturdiest keyboards ever made from a purely tactile and mechanical perspective. You typically can get them on Ebay for a few bucks each.

I don’t know how the keypress register electronics handle multiple keypresses at once in those boards.

see also

The Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro is pretty tough and is generally recognized as a good gaming keyboard.

http://us.thrustmaster.com/products/tactical_story.php3?skin=Tactical

4

I’m somewhat familiar with this phenomenon in DOS, and I imagine it’s the same in Windows. If it is, I can assure you it has nothing to do with your keyboard. It is completely the kernel’s fault. There are just certain combinations of keys that won’t be registered. Here’s an example. I just found out that if I hold down Q, W, E, and R at the same time, then hit T repeatedly, it won’t register. Go ahead and try it yourself. I’ll bet it doesn’t work for anyone with the same OS as me, regardless of keyboard. In my experience, typically it locks up after 3-5 keys are being pressed simultaneously, but interestingly, I know you can hold down the eight home-row keys and Space still works.

If the game is designed such that it requires you to hit unworkable combinations of keys, it’s the fault of the game designer for not taking it into account, not the fault of your keyboard.

5
      • I agree the MS Natural is a pretty good cheap keyboard ($17 online OEM!).
        …
  • I don’t know that this would help your specific problem, but www.pckeyboard.com builds/sells very good PC/terminal/crossover (terminal-style for PC’s) keyboards. Some meet various US gov./mil-spec’s. Problem is, they’re all around $100 or more…
    ~
6

I think I might have found what I’m looking for in a term called “rollover.” There have been sites talking about “6-key rollover” which a keyboard must have to register 6 keys… useful for braillists apparently. What I’m looking for then is a good keyboard with infinite key rollover… or n-key rollover I suppose.