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Optimus Maximus Keyboard

Every key of the Optimus Maximus Keyboard is able to display any custom symbol, icon, or character powered by the current software application you are running at the moment. For example, the Optimus Keyboard can display Cyrillic, Ancient Greek, Georgian, and Arabic characters. Also musical notes, numerals, special symbols, HTML codes, mathematical functions can be rendered on to the surface of each key. This hardware is only limited by the creativity of the software developer and user.

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Optimus 103 Keyboard 1
MSRP $1,564.37
Release date December, 2007
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Pros & Cons7
Reviews7
Details
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Pros & Cons

ProSCORE
7 reviews
33
negative
mixed
positive
2 positive
0 mixed
5 negative

[i] How is the ProSCORE calculated?

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Pros:
Do you agree?
•
Customizable keys allows for any language
+2agreedisagree

•
Screens on each key allow for any character, symbol or graphic to be displayed
+2agreedisagree

•
Keys can be linked to specific applications
+2agreedisagree

•
Keys can be removed for cleaning
+1agreedisagree

Cons:
Do you agree?
•
Very expensive compared to the usefulness
+7agreedisagree

•
Complete overkill, considering most people don't look at the keyboard to type
+6agreedisagree

•
Large key layout takes time to get used to
+1agreedisagree


7 people added to this review by submitting or voting on pros and cons. Add your say!
See individual votes »

Details

Availability

The Optimus keyboard was first rumoured in late 2006, but is now available from select retailers in August 2008. ThinkGeek carries the item for $1589, but stock is limited.

 

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This report was started November 19, 2006 at 11:44 am by rcavin
with the last edit occurring June 6, 2009 at 6:39 pm by Alvin Cheung
This page has been viewed 2448 times, with 46 edits by 11 contributors.
See the full report history »

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Comments

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1.  avatar Erik said:

This looks like a pretty cool concept. I saw it a while ago (I think on digg). My two main problems with this product is 1) most people don't look at the keyboard while typing, 2) it's probably going to be expensive. Maybe the context specific functions will save the day.
Nov 19, 2006 3:12pm
2.  avatar GT-D said:

It's been on /. quite a bit during development, I've heard about it from time to time for ages. really cool idea
Jul 12, 2007 3:52pm
3.  avatar rapidronnie said:

If it was $140 instead of $1400 I'd probably get one.
Aug 25, 2007 8:54pm
4.  avatar dr13zehn said:

The whole thing seems to be 90% novelty and 10% function. Yes it is an interesting idea, but it's not a revolutionary enough input device to charge the astronomical asking price.
Individual programmable keys can be had on keyboards for less than $100. They do not have a display on each key, that is true, however most power users hardly ever even look at their keys as Erik has pointed out already.
Aug 14, 2008 2:19am
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Reviews

Sort by: Most helpful  •  Newest  •  Most positive

Erik

avatar
August 13, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
67
negative
mixed
positive
4 pros
2 cons

Pros

  • Customizable keys allows for any language
  • Screens on each key allow for any character, symbol or graphic to be displayed
  • Keys can be linked to specific applications
  • Keys can be removed for cleaning

Cons

  • Very expensive compared to the usefulness
  • Complete overkill, considering most people don't look at the keyboard to type

Comments

"This looks like a pretty cool concept. I saw it a while ago (I think on digg). My two main problems with this product is 1) most people don't look at the keyboard while typing, 2) it's probably going to be expensive. Maybe the context specific functions will save the day."
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Yale

avatar
January 31, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
60
negative
mixed
positive
3 pros
2 cons

Pros

  • Customizable keys allows for any language
  • Screens on each key allow for any character, symbol or graphic to be displayed
  • Keys can be linked to specific applications

Cons

  • Very expensive compared to the usefulness
  • Complete overkill, considering most people don't look at the keyboard to type

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

ace248952

avatar
January 31, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
0
negative
mixed
positive
0 pros
3 cons

Pros

Did not agree with any pros

Cons

  • Very expensive compared to the usefulness
  • Complete overkill, considering most people don't look at the keyboard to type
  • Large key layout takes time to get used to

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Alvin Cheung

avatar
June 6, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
0
negative
mixed
positive
0 pros
2 cons

Pros

Did not agree with any pros

Cons

  • Very expensive compared to the usefulness
  • Complete overkill, considering most people don't look at the keyboard to type

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Zarjnn

avatar
March 9, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
0
negative
mixed
positive
0 pros
2 cons

Pros

Did not agree with any pros

Cons

  • Very expensive compared to the usefulness
  • Complete overkill, considering most people don't look at the keyboard to type

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

dr13zehn

avatar
August 14, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
0
negative
mixed
positive
0 pros
2 cons

Pros

Did not agree with any pros

Cons

  • Very expensive compared to the usefulness
  • Complete overkill, considering most people don't look at the keyboard to type

Comments

"The whole thing seems to be 90% novelty and 10% function. Yes it is an interesting idea, but it's not a revolutionary enough input device to charge the astronomical asking price.
Individual programmable keys can be had on keyboards for less than $100. They do not have a display on each key, that is true, however most power users hardly ever even look at their keys as Erik has pointed out already."
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

rabidpotatochip

avatar
April 23, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
0
negative
mixed
positive
0 pros
1 con

Pros

Did not agree with any pros

Cons

  • Very expensive compared to the usefulness

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

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