Optimus 103 to be renamed

We all know how many keys the 103 key keyboard has, but it looks like Lebedev's long-awaited Optimus has been undergoing some serious retooling for its CeBIT coming out, and from the sound of it they may have dropped some keys from the board. We won't be sure until later this month when the Optimus takes home a new name and shows off its latest layout, but for $1200 we sure as hell hope they've managed to add some more of those sweet, sweet 2 x 2cm OLED keys -- or subtract some hard currency from the working MSRP. Oh yeah, and in case you hadn't noticed, they've got yet another mouth-watering photo of some yet-untainted shapeshifting keys.

[Thanks, Nicholas M]

[LukeA @ Mar 5th 2007 9:44PM]

Is it just me or would 2cm keys be too big to type on?

[Tom @ Mar 6th 2007 2:09AM]

Going on the base of the keys of my IBM keyboard, 2cm is about right. Plus, the keys are raised to provide 4mm clearance between keys - which matches my laptop's key-top spacing. The keys are larger than my laptops keyboard (18mm), but the key spacing is smaller than my IBM's keyboard (6mm). I think it'll be a nice balance, personally

[Geir E @ Mar 5th 2007 9:47PM]

I must admit it looks mighty amazing. Fun to see how they do their R&D in public.

I can also understand the price tag. And I'll not buy one before they are closer to the tenth. And hopefully they have put some clear plastic on top so that it curves and are not flat. I want keys to feel like keys as well.

But again, looks amazing.

[fever @ Mar 5th 2007 9:53PM]

Apple key? Weak.

[SOCOMRAIDER @ Mar 6th 2007 6:16AM]

I didn't notice the command key looks like an Apple *sarcasm*.
The "Apple key" you are referring to, is only the "Apple key" if it has a picture of the Apple logo. Even then still, it is referred to the command key.

[iamdigitalman @ Mar 5th 2007 10:20PM]

IT'S NOT CALLED THE APPLE KEY!! it is the command key. What, you expect every keyboard to have a fugly windows logo key? I would hate to live in your world.

[Chuck Rock @ Mar 5th 2007 10:25PM]

Why in gods name do you continue to promote this thing? Its a $1200!!! keyboard! If you are that eager, pickup a nice Logitech and flush the remaining $1150 down the toilet - same results!

[ChronoZaga @ Mar 5th 2007 10:37PM]

I am so tired of hearing about this stupid thing, and it just keeps getting worse.

[kerunt @ Mar 5th 2007 10:37PM]

Chuck Rock,

yes, same results, but considerably faster :D

[Jeff @ Mar 5th 2007 11:38PM]

I think renaming your product is one of those common steps of continuing to promote vaporware. Didn't the Phantom do this shortly before it died?

[Paul @ Mar 5th 2007 11:41PM]

There is not a single upper case character on the keyboard. Man, for $1200, I'd expect at least both upper and lower case keys!

[Nick @ Mar 6th 2007 12:54PM]

Keys are customisable :)

[CaptSaltyJack @ Mar 5th 2007 11:51PM]

For me to spend $1200 on a keyboard, it would require the following:

- 100% perfect response
- keys never wear out, period
- keys are all backlit and OLED
- dual USB 2.0/Bluetooth
- dozens of programmable keys
- 10-year no-questions-asked warranty
- built in media card reader (SD, CF, xD, MS, etc)
- built in mini trackball and scroll wheel
- the ability to cook steaks to perfection
- the ability to give BJs

There.

[Aero @ Mar 6th 2007 7:04PM]

My requirement for a $1200 keyboard is...


1. It comes with a computer and monitor.

[frank @ Mar 6th 2007 12:20AM]

You know, with this keyboard, when you hit 'Caps Lock', all the keys could display the capital letter.

That'd be sorta neat.

Every new technology starts out expensive. You have to start somewhere. This new keyboard starts at 1200. In a few years the price will come down considerably, and we'll wonder how we ever got along without it.

[Paul @ Mar 6th 2007 12:32AM]

The $1200 tag wouldn't be so disappointing if they hadn't originally said it would cost less than $300

[Paul @ Mar 6th 2007 12:34AM]

I must say though, the keyboard looks really sharp. I wouldn't mind buying a regular keyboard that looked that snazzy, if it came with a regular price.

[Tavis Veighey @ Mar 6th 2007 12:50AM]

After all the jerking around, and even begging people to trash them for what they did... Their original price of "A good cellphone" and now the price of 4+ Good cellplhoes makes me HATE this keyboard. If they had stuck to their guns, or even apoligized for having to increase the price, or for the delays, then I could consider forgiving them.

However now I will not consider purchasing this keyboard unless it shows up for under $40.00 in the discount bin. This keyboard was cool, but for more than the price of most complete computer systems, it is a pointless pice of bling. A total waste of money.

And the ONLY thing that could ALMOST redeem it would be if they included a lifetime full replacement warranty for ANYTHING but spilled pop or melitious damage. Anything else should get you a replacement keyboard. They ship you a keyboard, and you ship your old one back. However that would STILL not get me to puchase it.

[Tavis Veighey @ Mar 6th 2007 12:50AM]

After all the jerking around, and even begging people to trash them for what they did... Their original price of "A good cellphone" and now the price of 4+ Good cellplhoes makes me HATE this keyboard. If they had stuck to their guns, or even apoligized for having to increase the price, or for the delays, then I could consider forgiving them.

However now I will not consider purchasing this keyboard unless it shows up for under $40.00 in the discount bin. This keyboard was cool, but for more than the price of most complete computer systems, it is a pointless pice of bling. A total waste of money.

And the ONLY thing that could ALMOST redeem it would be if they included a lifetime full replacement warranty for ANYTHING but spilled pop or melitious damage. Anything else should get you a replacement keyboard. They ship you a keyboard, and you ship your old one back. However that would STILL not get me to puchase it.

[Tavis Veighey @ Mar 6th 2007 12:51AM]

Sorry folks, I only clicked once... But there is now a double post???

[LukeA @ Mar 6th 2007 6:41AM]

Well, I sit here typing on a Powerbook, so...

[Tom @ Mar 6th 2007 2:10AM]

Who said anything about $300? Their original quote was "It will cost
less than a good cell phone" - which is true. Good cell phones cost
in the thousands of dollars (Vertu, anyone?). PS - the $1200 price
quote was actually for the B&W keyboard. Also, there are multiple
versions of this keyboard coming out, with varying amounts of OLED
keys installed in it. So, you can go budget or wallet-buster with
it.

Point being - everybody who is complaining about the price should
do some reading before typing in the commend box. The Optimus is
well thought out, and is a fantastic concept. New tech ALWAYS costs
extra dough to begin with. Anybody heard of the $3000 Betamax
players? Or the $1500+ Blu-ray players? Get a reality check - a
keyboard with 103 displays will not cost $40 and it will not be
displayed next to a Logitech keyboard in a sales window. This
keyboard will be marketed towards workstation users and likely gamers
and power-users with huge budgets as well.

PS - @CaptSaltyJack:
OLED and Backlit? OLED displays don't need to be backlit.

[mike @ Mar 6th 2007 3:27AM]

it all starts here. I hope in 5 years from now, these things will be mainstream, with many to choose from from different companies and at a price of $300 or less.

[Bad Beaver @ Mar 6th 2007 4:58AM]

Hmm, as much as I adore the possibilities this keyboard offers, I am a bit uneasy about totally flat keycaps. As for the price - gee, people, get over it. If it's too much for you, go get an IBM Model M or an Apple Extended II and an adaptor to hook them up to USB. Ugly as sin by any comparison, but still the best keyboards ever made.

[Rick @ Mar 6th 2007 7:42AM]

a name change??? now what am i gonna do with this "Optimus" tattoo on my ass? i guess just put "Prime" after it and hope the movie doesnt suck...

[Adam @ Mar 6th 2007 9:03AM]

How about a DIY project that includes a keyboard with clear key and a small led light under each key, then you could just print out the graphics you want and place under the key to make it look substantially similar to this. The leds could have a brightness control and you could map the keys to what ever you printed and placed under the key.

People could make all sorts of "key icons" and share them with others.

[Brian @ Mar 6th 2007 10:45AM]

A lit up keyboard? Only new technology if you're from the Amazon or Alabama.

[adam @ Mar 6th 2007 11:22AM]

I know what you are talking about Brian, but there is nothing out there that resembles what I am describing. Imagine an all black key that has a totally transparent top to it that is totally transparent and not opaque in any way. Then imaging being able to take the key off and place a printed graphic under the top transparent part of the key and replacing it on the keyboard. with a moderate led back light in each of the keys (not some huge light that comes out from all directions) you could print a black background with white letters or any icon/graphic you would like and it would look very good, but there would need to be no extra light coming from the back of the keys or else it would look shotty.

[pingwhen @ Mar 6th 2007 12:32PM]

sorry but 1200 for this? sorry not worth the fact i will break it in 20 min

[Juaquin @ Mar 6th 2007 4:47PM]

That shot is probably a render. They've done this in the past and got a lot of flak over it. Most likely they only have a few keys working, and they probably haven't even put anything on the actual keyboard yet. Call me when they give up, sell the patent to Logitech, and Logitech produces them for a couple hundred dollars.