Back in the 1990s, before USB became the universal standard, computers relied on PS/2 ports to connect mice and keyboards. Named after IBM’s Personal System/2 line, these round connectors were color-coded—purple for keyboards and green for mice—to make setup easier.
PS/2 ports used 6-pin mini-DIN connectors and were directly built into the motherboard. Unlike modern USB devices, they had to be plugged in while the computer was powered off, or there was a risk of damaging the port or the peripheral.
These ports have become a symbol of nostalgia for anyone who grew up during the early days of personal computing—evoking memories of CRT monitors, Windows 95, and the satisfying clicks of mechanical keyboards.
While largely replaced by USB, PS/2 ports can still be found on some modern motherboards, a nod to the durability and simplicity of this once-essential tech standard.
