Basic= not some pimpin keyboard with leds. And cheap.

I'm going to buy a new desktop soon so I hooked up a keyboard to my laptop to get used to the feel. Played some Binding of Isaac and seems like it can't register more than 3-4 buttons at a time. The laptop's built in keyboard however works without any problem like this, strange.

So the question is, what should I except from a basic keyboard ? Are gaming keyboards the only kind that don't have this problem ?

Note: The keyboard I used is 6 years old, has the technology advanced since then ?

Don't know if it meets your definition of basic, but the Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 doesn't suffer from much ghosting. The issue that most keyboards have is that it's not a case of "can register x concurrent keystrokes", it depends on the clusters that the keys sit in. For gaming, you want one where at least two of wasd and probably q/e and z/x/c and control can be pressed at the same time.

https://www.microsoft.com/appliedsciences/antighostingexplained.mspx

While gaming keyboards look stupid, they are generally set up in this way. I know that the ergonomic is good as I use one on my gaming machine.

Problem with ghosting? Get a PS/2 keyboard. No emulation, no adapter: just plain PS/2 stuff.

Got the same problem with Isaac, diagonal movement + diagonal shooting = bam, no input for a second or so. When you're in the middle of that one super evasive strat with the Lost, that's not good.

That Microsoft keyboard looks good, but if someone has more suggestions, I'm interested as well. Actually, I've been looking up user reviews about the MS Ergonomic 4000 and they say typing is very noisy, especially the space bar... So if you're a gamer but also use your keyboard to write a lot (like if, for instance, you work at home on your pc), it might not be so good... I know it's not exactly what the op was asking, but what's your opinion on this, pds 41?

I found a 2nd hand one for €2. It was dirty (remedied) and old looking but VERY good. A new one of the same class would set me back €120. As long as I have a motherboard with PS/2 I am set :-)

It highly depends on which keys you use. IIRC a Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000 it went from 6 keys around the WASD area + shift + ctrl to 2 keys in some areas. If you play with arrow keys instead of WASD for example, you'd get fewer simultaneous keys.

Testing right now on a Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 using this tool, which is similar (although IIRC the 2000 is a bit worse in some areas), I can indeed get QWEASD + shift + ctrl, but if I press the up and left arrow keys I can't press any others or ctrl.

Anyway, the Curve 3000 is quite cheap (I don't know how it compares, having never used it, but I imagine it's close enough).

Edit: Checking the controls for Binding of Isaac, that doesn't work with the 4000. WASD isn't compatible with the right arrow. So if that's what you're trying to do, both navigate and shoot with the keyboard, you're out of luck with the Microsoft keyboards.

Can do that on my Logitech K120. I don't know the technology, but depends on keys. For example, if i have A, S, K, pressed, i can't press L, but have no problem in pressing O and P.

Now, to be honest, i only use desktop computer and i did not encountered many instances where ghosting was really a problem. Only instance that i can remember was on one of the FIFA games, where you need to keep more keys pressed in the same time. But for pretty much most of the other games that i played, i usually get around needing to press more keys at the same time by using the mouse. For example Binding of Isaac, i play that with mouse and keyboard. Aiming it's much more easier with mouse.

Gaming keyboards are pretty expensive, and, unless you can take full advantage of the mechanical keys and no ghosting, i don't think they are such a good expense. I think you would be much better off with your basic keyboard and an controller. Usually, games where ghosting occurs, are much better played with an controller. You will not see ghosting in PC-based games, as developers are aware of this issue and they avoid making players pressing too many keys in the same time. Usually, they use the mouse for aiming instead of forcing you to use keyboard.

I have to admit, I also use one at work. It isn't that loud - it's nowhere near as noisy as a mechanical keyboard; the space bar is a little bit noisier but not terrible - it hasn't bothered anyone I live or work with. To be honest, the big win for me with the keyboard is the ergonomic feature.

IBM Model M
DAS Model S

I use them both, both are good for longer typing sessions, haven't encountered any ghosting issues yet.

They are pretty uncommon today. Will a usb to ps2 adapter give me the same results ?

If it's a good keyboard: yes
Just remember to turn off the computer before you plug it in :)

Yeah, that's the thing. Honestly I don't see any other game where this key combination will be used, maybe some shooters where you move diagonaly + lean.