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Optimus Keyboard Starts Shipping

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the true-sticker-shock dept.

Tom's Hardware is reporting that the Optimus keyboard that everyone was so anxious for (although maybe less so when they saw the price tag) started shipping this week. "According to an announcement made on the Optimus project blog, keyboards are now shipping to customers who pre-ordered the $1564 keyboard nine months ago. Keyboards with passive keys are delayed and will be shipping in about a month, the manufacturer said. [...] Earlier this month, one of the first Optimus Maximus keyboards was sold for $2750 on Ebay." Engadget even got the chance to test one of these expensive toys out.

4 of 309 comments (clear)

  1. Personally, I wonder.... by AltGrendel · · Score: 4, Interesting
    ...how this would compare with the original IBM-101's.

    You know the ones I mean.

    --
    The simple truth is that interstellar distances will not fit into the human imagination

    - Douglas Adams

  2. So I take it... by RichPowers · · Score: 4, Interesting

    You're not supposed to run the Optimus through the dishwasher if it gets dirty and crusty? :) And unless you're filthy rich, you can't chuck it and buy a new one.

    So you either:
    Type with gloves on;
    Use in a clean room;
    Spend a painstaking amount of time cleaning it.

    The Optimus is best at home among all those other impractical gadgets, usually found in HOUSE OF THE FUTURE! exhibits, that aren't used by real people...

  3. Re:Review summary by ushering05401 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Having resistance and click-points on a keyboard was very helpful. When typing on such a keyboard I would never bottom out the key, thus expending extra force.

    When using modern clickless (and mushy) keyboards I often find myself 'bashing' keys harder the faster I type. It has something to do with the lack of tactile feedback while touch typing.

  4. Re:Review summary by dindi · · Score: 4, Interesting

    On resistance keyboards:

    Well, I thought so, and used IBM M-type (the old clicking type), than switched to multiple ergonomic ones, and could not understand why they are so soft and why they switch well known key placements...

    Then the new Apple "keyboard" arrived. Same feeling as a laptop keyboard. Not much feedback, but very sleek feel.

    I just wish someone put out a new keyboard which is as sexy as the apple, same feeling as a laptop, but ... but split. Just split the damn thing and make it connected via a ball joint, so you can turn it into any direction, or even separate them.

    Hmm, I guess for now I live with the apple, and maybe someone comes up with something like that.

    Now on the Optimus : great idea for gamers and maybe video editors to highlight stuff. For the typist/programmer/technical-technician: useless. I do not look at the keyboard too much, so for me that is really overkill.

    just my 2c