In your opinion...

[Apostle 83]

We've all heard that serial ports, etc are gonna give way to USB. But I haven't heard much about PS/2 ports. See, I'm gonna get a logitech cordless wheelmouse special edition, and I don't wann waste 50 bucks on a n input device that won't work on my next system (probably buy q4 of next year, running pIII 450 right now http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif)

[Donkey]

As we all know everything becomes obsolete eventually, sooner rather than later nowadays. And if we all worried to much about it none of us would have a PC cos we'd all see the next thing around the corner being better. As for serials being phased out, remember that they have been around a lot longer than PS2. My advise is to "carpe diem" and enjoy your new toy!!

[Apostle 83]

Donkey, I appreciate that. But I was asking if anyone has seen reports that systems will soon begin to phase out ps/2...
Heck, I want things to phased out. Like ide. In three years, systems will be shipping with firewire 2 as the sole interface... if they can make em cheap enough. Imagine that! Every interface capable of 800mb/s transfer rates!!!

[OuTpaTienT]

I've never heard of any plans to phase out the PS/2 ports. And I certainly hope they don't because a PS/2 port is a better connection for a single device (especially a mouse). I've read that a PS/2 port provides for a slightly faster refresh of the mouse and less of a drain on CPU power. USB's main advantage is it's ability to chain devices like with SCSI.

And while serial ports have certainly been around longer, if you think about it, you'll realize that the ps/2 type port has been with us quite a long time itself (since the 386 days.)

BTW, I have a Logitech cordless wheelmouse and I love it. Is the "special edition" the one that comes with the different color shells? However, I should let you know there are a couple drawbacks to this mouse:

1.) One of the main advantages of being on a ps/2 port is the ability to raise the cursor refresh rate (by using a utility like ps/2rate, or some makers are including similar software with their mice). Most mice have a default refresh of 40hz, which is why the cursor is so "jumpy" and "stuttery". Using said software you can boost the refresh of the cursor with absolutely NO performance hit. 85hz on up to 200hz make the mouse cursor move smooth as glass.

Having said that, I've discovered, to my dismay, that the Logitech cordless mouse only allows for a marginal increase in it's refresh rate. It seems to max at around 60hz. Must be limited by the radio frequency it's using for wireless transmission. I have 2 Logitech Wheelmice, 1 corded, 1 cordless, and with the corded one you can really see the difference in refreshing the mouse curor at a higher frequency.

But I still use my cordless in spite of that. Once you go cordless there's no going back. 8^)

2.) If you use your computer a lot, like me http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif, then be prepared for the batteries to last a little under 2 months and not the 6 months like they say.

But even with those flaws, I still love it.

[AuraEdge]

I doubt therell be any problems with PS/2 phasing out..
Heck, they still have Serial ports on the newest boards

As far as refresh rates go..
The default for a PS/2 port mouse is 80Hz, and 100Hz for a USB mouse.
Through software, a PS/2 mouse can be tweaked to refresh at 200Hz (higher than USB).

I dont know Serial mice's refresh rates, but Im sure its less than 80Hz.

[Axel]

A - 83, Speed is great, but reliability is better. It's like new MS software - I like 6 million OTHER user's to help them develop their service packs. - Same with hardware - I'm happy to buy 6 month old stuff because I've heard about it or seen it talked about here and know what to expect when I put it on my equipment. Also, the price becomes more reasonable as time goes by.

[Pantion]

USB is supposed to replace serial ports and parallel ones.

The serial ports should be the ones phasing out and it will be a great help getting rid of them and for those who still want to use such devices a serial-to-usb convertor will be the way.

And the parallel port it may not be blazing fast, but is enough for printing and should be leaved that way.

Of course this is only my opinion...

[Apostle 83]

Hmmm. I use ps/2 adjuster plus...Got it at 200hz right now.
Anyways, I don't notice much diff, maybe logitech will just update drivers?