Buzz
When you're buying a keyboard—particularly a high-quality, premium one—you'll often come across terms like "N-Key Rollover" or "Anti-Ghosting" on the packaging. But what exactly do these terms mean, and are they important? Linus from Techquickie takes the time to explain it all.
Linus explains two common features you’re likely to encounter:
X-key rollover refers to the maximum number of keys that can be pressed simultaneously while still being recognized by the computer (for instance, 6-key rollover can handle 6 keys at once, plus 4 modifier keys). N-key rollover, in theory, can handle any number of keys pressed at the same time, although this doesn’t always hold true in real-world use.
Anti-ghosting typically refers to a 3-key rollover, often found on gaming keys like WASD. However, this can vary from one keyboard to another, as ghosting technically refers to unwanted phantom keypresses, an issue that was more common with older keyboards.
If you want to test what your current keyboard can handle, you can check out Microsoft's rollover demonstration here.
So how crucial are these features, really? Hardcore gamers might argue that N-key rollover is a must-have, but for most of us—even casual gamers—it’s likely that 6-key rollover will suffice. These features have also become somewhat of a marketing tool. The next time you're on the hunt for a keyboard, keep this in mind, and make sure the manufacturer’s claims align with actual performance.
