We've seen plenty of
rugged devices hit the market, and we've witnessed all sorts of
newfangled keyboards as well, but Stealth Computers is blending over-the-top durability with one of the most basic input peripherals known to man in its 2000-DT-TB models. Offered in both PS/2 and USB forms, this "totally sealed" NEMA-certified stainless steel 'board is entirely weatherproof, sports an integrated trackball (complete with adjustable "tension ring"), silicon rubber keys, and can handle a dissertation composition in 194 degrees F and 100% humidity (as long as the operator can endure the conditions). The bonus "WIN" button is also a welcome touch, as we imagine it allows you to emerge victorious in a WOW raid with a single key press. Oddly enough, this beast of a 'board is only backed by a one year limited warranty, which doesn't exactly support the bold claims we're led to believe -- while most may harp on the $1,195 pricetag, the real issue is whether or not your
$10,000 Dell XPS 600 Renegade (and
$99 mouse) can hold their own in the rough as well.
posted Sep 22nd 2006 1:15PM
Did you mean 'button' and not 'buttum'? ("The bonus "WIN" buttom..")
I thought the WIN button was to take you to the Weblogs Inc. network. No?
"Did you mean 'button' and not 'buttum'?"
I think they meant "buttocks."
To spend that much on a keyboard is just plain unhealthy. But, I'm sure that US military might purchase thousands of these at this great price. They might even get a discount if they buy a whole lot. Try to sell one of these on eBay at that price.
Silicon sounds like an awfully unpleasant surface for keys, being all flat and hard and glassy and stuff. You'd think for over a grand, they could use a nice soft rubber surface made out of something more along the lines of, say, silicone. Something flexible and weather-resistant, rather than something porous and brittle.
Oh well.
Well, there *is* a market for these things from the military's perspective. It gets seriously hot and humid inside military vehicles as they drive around, since they are unable to crack a window. I don't know just how hot, or if this is being marketed towards the military, but it could definitely have its uses.
call me cheap, but those sub ten dollars keyboards on newegg works for me.. that $1200 tag is just nuts -_-
Not cheap... sensible. Anybody who's playing WoW in a frickin' river and thus needs a keyboard like this, deserves to be slapped in the face with a wet fish.
re: silicon
it IS NOT silicon rubber
it IS NOT silicon breast implants
it IS NOT silicone wafers used to make ICs
it IS silicon used in computer chips
it IS silicone rubber
it IS man-made silicone implants
Well, Gol-darnit! That there "WIN" button could sure come in handy for my ol' War on Terror. Would one of you fine bloggers send one to my good friend Condy?
Have a good day now, ya hear?
G.W.
$10k computer, $1k keyboard, $100 mouse: for those who want to pay 1979 computer prices!
But, hey, rugged keyboard; kevin rose can buy himself one and live the G4tv skit without breaking the keyboard!
I actually have a keyboard just like this thing, but instead of a trackball (much prefered) it has, what i'd describe as, an oversized "track-point" (Thinkpad-esque.) I got it from my Uncle who owns a company that builds custom computer controlled automation systems for manufacturing and the like. It was a 10-year-old demo unit that he was going to through away, so I took it. Let me tell you, the thing's a monster! If you thought Microsoft's "uber" keyboards are big, this is HUGE and HEAVY! Must weigh 7lbs or so. I guess that's the price you pay for a rubber sealed stainless housing with a molded silicone rubber membrane keypad and pointing device combo. It's a horrible typing surface to boot. But then I doubt people would be writing novels on that thing...
all that money, all that ruggardizing, and it still sports wires? Surely the ultimate rugged keyboard would be wireless?