Optimus Maximus box design: will the madness end?

You've already caught a glimpse of what the innards of the Optimus Maximus box should look like, so if you're intrigued, you can now take a peek at the outside. Additionally, the folks laid out a number of previous concepts, but it sounds like they're going with the white shown above to match the keyboard's color. We know, it's just more teasing, but click on through if you're able to endure it.

[scott @ Oct 9th 2007 12:25PM]

*yawn* Logitech, could you please just steal these guy's idea and release an actual product already?

[N30 G30 @ Oct 9th 2007 12:27PM]

I second that.

[Porfuse @ Oct 9th 2007 12:32PM]

i agree too... this is taking way to long, and its way to expensive...

[Johnathon Zirkle @ Oct 9th 2007 12:32PM]

I would actually buy that one. I like my Logitech gear! Great products!

[paul34 @ Oct 9th 2007 12:32PM]

And then go on to purposely ignore requests from your loyal customers to extend simple support to applications the majority of users actually use, and provide updates for newer operating systems.

Oh how I love Logitech!

[timatl @ Oct 9th 2007 1:44PM]

how much is this keyboard? like $1500? if that is the case, I could be really, really nice notebook or desktop for that price

[fontendet24 @ Oct 9th 2007 2:45PM]

Just get this -You can't use it in room with natural light!
Only in the dark area. I have find it by the last picture in real life.

[Jean-Michel Decombe @ Oct 9th 2007 3:15PM]

The keyboard is not exactly $1,500... more like 1,500 QUIDs.

[Johnathon Zirkle @ Oct 9th 2007 12:28PM]

It actually looks a little disorganzied...the text is just sorta thrown around on the front. It should just be the keyboard on the front. That'd be a nice box!

[Alan Partridge @ Oct 9th 2007 12:28PM]

It's wierd how they've tried to make a conventional box which explains the functionality of the keyboard because it's not like someone is going to be browsing keyboards in BestBuy or wherever and pick up the Maximus. Its a limited production and they've all been sold in advance. I thought for $1500 they'd go down the luxuary route.

[Kurt @ Oct 9th 2007 12:31PM]

how about a box with just the keyboard on it. Each of the buttons should be one of those pictures that changes as you change the angle you are viewing it (what the hell do they call those?). That would be everything you need to know about the Optimus.

[jwtrooper @ Oct 9th 2007 12:45PM]

lenticular

[Bigg Russ @ Oct 9th 2007 12:42PM]

LOL @ Scott!!

[pawnbroker @ Oct 9th 2007 12:43PM]

Optimus? So these will be carried at Radio Shack?

[strider_mt2k @ Oct 9th 2007 12:51PM]

Yes, but only in brown and at the usual markup.

Be sure to ask how you can save 10% on that purchase.
(shoot me now)

[ecobore @ Oct 9th 2007 12:44PM]

what is so exciting about a keyboard with programmable keys that allows you to change the keytop? I don't get the excitement here - most of us don't even look at the keys when we work anyway!

[shaun @ Oct 9th 2007 12:50PM]

Hey engadget how about an RSS feed where we don't have to see new on the optimus?

[shaun @ Oct 9th 2007 12:51PM]

Typo: I meant 'news' on the optimus

[strider_mt2k @ Oct 9th 2007 12:51PM]

That box is just a prototype!

[MrFuNKy76 @ Oct 9th 2007 12:56PM]

Expect the box to be available sometime in 2009.

[mishke1 @ Oct 9th 2007 12:57PM]

I agree, with Alan, if you need to know what it is, chances are you aren't going to be throwing down $1500 to get one, not one of those "last minute additions" while at Best Buy. They should throw the thing in a laser etched, brushed aluminum case that says "Optimus: 'Nuff Said".

and to eco, the only reasons I see are A:status symbol...and B:development tool, e.g. all the keyboard shortcuts in Photoshop and 3D development, I would like to have a keyboard visually adjust the keys to suit the program I was using at the time. Don't think I'd throw down the money to have it adjust my keys for Battlefield 2 or WoW, however.

[potato @ Oct 9th 2007 1:30PM]

All of the 3D graphics professionals I know already have the hotkeys memorized and can probably recite them in their sleep. This keyboard is of no use to anyone.

All of this is moot anyway, they can't even roll this baby out the door.

[Dale @ Oct 9th 2007 12:59PM]

Does anyone else think this looks like Apple packaging from the late '90s?

[SugarDaddy @ Oct 9th 2007 1:18PM]

Heh, I was thinking the same thing.

[randy @ Oct 9th 2007 1:30PM]

Aye, it's a blatant rip-off.

[Pedro @ Oct 9th 2007 1:01PM]

"Meh."

That's about it from me on this topic, folks...

[dj-kenpo @ Oct 9th 2007 1:02PM]

you ask, "will the madness end" but yet you POST IT ON ENGADGET and further the madness.

jebus chrizt.

[SugarDaddy @ Oct 9th 2007 1:22PM]

Would anyone really pay this much for a non-ergonomic keyboard? The concept is fantastic, but everything else about this keyboard is ridiculous -- from shape to price to apple-biting box.

[holycow @ Oct 9th 2007 1:27PM]

would be nice just to have ~6-8 customizable keys with OLED.. the others can remain like normal keyboard keys.

[Santiago Rodriguez @ Oct 9th 2007 1:31PM]

Optimus Maximus ... sounds like a cheesy transforming robotic roman gladiator.

[Alex Rrrrrrr @ Oct 9th 2007 1:32PM]

Were you paid to put that many pictures on?

[Austin @ Oct 9th 2007 1:32PM]

If I had that kind of cash I would definitely buy two!

Sexy!

As far as Apple packaging goes... Apple wishes it were that sexy!

[CJ @ Oct 9th 2007 1:34PM]

For $1500, the box better me made out of solid gold and include some LEDs on the lid that scroll through a list of my personal virtues.

[Chase @ Oct 9th 2007 1:36PM]

who cares about this? it costs too much for people to pay for anyways... quit giving it publicity. i want this thing to fail, or lower the price about $1,200.

[steve @ Oct 9th 2007 7:28PM]

Yep, my decision is sure riding on those 300 bucks there. Drop it that much and I'll bite. Yup.

[Saint Dumb Ox @ Oct 9th 2007 1:53PM]

This thing is the Segway of keyboards.

[Ken @ Oct 9th 2007 2:05PM]

Maybe they don't expect to be selling these for $1500 forever. Remember, they have to recover the cost of R&D. I think you may see a considerable price drop a year after initial release. At that point, you may actually see these at Best Buy.

[websyndicate @ Oct 9th 2007 2:51PM]

gezz this thing has been almost ready for release for who know how many years now a like 5 year?

[Andrew @ Oct 9th 2007 2:52PM]

They spend how much on developing what is, frankly, a beautiful product (even if it is too expensive,) and then come up with 'Any Key Keyboard' as a tag-line?!?

[Colin Jensen @ Oct 9th 2007 3:14PM]

Duke Nukem Forever!

[Arthiam @ Oct 9th 2007 3:30PM]

Madness ?
THIS IS SPARTAAAAA !!

(sorry)

[Leneyoyo @ Oct 9th 2007 5:12PM]

Hahahahah! That was funny!

[Jason B. @ Oct 9th 2007 3:54PM]

So let me see if I've got this straight: These people are developing a $1500 keyboard and their product development blog is a free LiveJournal account? Does this strike anyone else as odd?

[kuzu-b @ Oct 9th 2007 4:02PM]

I'm so sick of hearing about this thing and it will sell less than the segway if it is ever released, so what is the point? How is everyone actually working on this project that stupid that they can't realize this is futile? And who are the idiots that keep giving these idiots money? There are plenty of young entrepreneurs out there that could do so much more with the funding that these idiots are receiving.

[Ant @ Oct 9th 2007 6:27PM]

It looked great until I saw and used the new mac keyboard now it just looks like something from the 90's. Just get a Nostromo N52 (or the new N52te) and program that for hot-keys, macros, anything, any application you have. The idea with being efficient with key binders is you don't look at the keyboard, so what is the point in this? is it just to look pretty.

Now thinking about it a N52te with this type of OLED key set would be really great, mmmmm, nice, imagine the shift cycle.

[01 @ Oct 9th 2007 6:43PM]

Have these things even been released yet? I feel like I first heard of these in college, and while 5 years ago isn't THAT long, it's eons in a tech development/release cycle. Oh well, at least I can play with the box....

[kL @ Oct 9th 2007 7:11PM]

Wow. A *box*? That obsession even beats Apple!

[Deuz Augustine @ Oct 10th 2007 12:18AM]

That box is seriously fucking ugly.

[daphnedaphne @ Oct 10th 2007 1:22AM]

vote for your favorite version the box design

[daphnedaphne @ Oct 10th 2007 1:56AM]

http://www.pollsb.com/polls/poll/2806/the-optimus-keyboard-box-design