How much would you pay to be the first Optimus Maximus owner?

We wouldn't have expected the first opportunity for consumers to pick up an Optimus Maximus to be in the wild frontiers of eBay, but hey, we'll take what we can get. Currently at $300 with 14 bids, but seeing how fast our pathetic bid was shot down, it looks like there's going to be quite a frenzy when the auction winds down on February 4th.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 29th 2008 3:11PM]

It's fun bumping the price up knowing you won't win. Here's to the eBay idiots that bid way before the ending time!

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 29th 2008 3:12PM]

$460 is for the keyboard with the spacebar and that's it.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 29th 2008 3:11PM]

I'll buy that for a dollar!

[nXt Posted Jan 29th 2008 3:13PM]

$830 now.

[Vuph Posted Jan 29th 2008 3:17PM]

6 days left and bidding is already at $830. This is almost as ridiculous as the people who bought the $10k+ launch PS3s on ebay. Isn't this thing supposed to retail at $300-$400? This is a KEYBOARD?! Definitely not worth double or triple the retail cost just for some bragging rights.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 29th 2008 3:18PM]

The keyboard with the spacebar only is $460. Fully loaded it's $1,500.

[Vuph Posted Jan 29th 2008 3:23PM]

that is excessive... WAY too excessive.

but it makes me want to run up the bid now too.

[Photon Posted Jan 29th 2008 3:27PM]

Where are you seeing that it's $460 for the spacebar only version?

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 29th 2008 3:36PM]

http://store.artlebedev.com/computer_add-ons/optimus/

Check out the column on the right; "Configuraton".

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 29th 2008 11:18PM]

He's bidding on his own stuff.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 29th 2008 3:22PM]

Now it's at US $1,125.00

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 29th 2008 3:22PM]

Wow

[retro77 Posted Jan 29th 2008 3:23PM]

$12 with free shipping

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 29th 2008 3:23PM]

US $1,200.00

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 29th 2008 3:26PM]

$200 and you can get one from the factory. I'm afraid to put anymore bids in. I don't really want to win it :D.

[Step666 Posted Jan 29th 2008 8:29PM]

$200 from the factory?
Sure...

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 29th 2008 8:51PM]

No, $200 more. I forgot to add the "more". The auction was at $1,300.

Sure.. yes

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 29th 2008 3:27PM]

I don't think I'd pay anything at all for this keyboard.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 29th 2008 3:31PM]

to replace my dinovo & mac keyboard???? never..

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 29th 2008 3:39PM]

Reclaim your mind from the keybord shackles. Read a book and resurrect yourself. To claim your uncapitalistic and sweet keybord go to your nearest store when it comes out In stores

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 29th 2008 3:44PM]

$1400 and going. I hope it comes with a character set that some Nigerian can sue this guy for.

[Snails Posted Jan 29th 2008 3:47PM]

I wouldn't pay more than $100 for any keyboard.

That said, I like the idea of using it for Aperture, and I see that it has World of Warcraft in the config screen. Want. Maybe if I become a bajillionaire and can buy a $22k MacPro while I'm at it.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 29th 2008 3:50PM]

Haha, my favorite is in this guy's feedback.

GREAT CONDITION NOT A LIAR!! THANK YOU

^rofl.

On a side note, it's funny that Engadgeters think its cool to bump the price. I feel really bad for whoever gets stuck with it once this comes off the front page.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 29th 2008 3:52PM]

Hello sir, I am writing to offer you double your asking price for this keyboard, if you are willing to ship to my cousin Jimmy in Nigeria. Please let me know if this is okay.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 29th 2008 4:10PM]

$5

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 29th 2008 4:25PM]

Right now the bid is at $1,475! :O

[TheGreatGhz Posted Jan 29th 2008 4:21PM]

I'm going to bid and win this, then blend that bastard!

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 29th 2008 4:58PM]

or toast it?

[holycow Posted Jan 29th 2008 4:34PM]

"To the guy on Engadget that pointed out that this cannot make toast. I will include a toaster for the winning bidder."

Hahaha!

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 29th 2008 4:36PM]

ewwwww. Polystyrene packaging for a keyboard in 2008? Not only polystyrene but a SLAB of polystyrene? Oh dear.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 29th 2008 4:41PM]

$1,475.00

[wesg Posted Jan 29th 2008 4:41PM]

I want that toaster.

[Frankenstein Black Posted Jan 29th 2008 4:55PM]

MEH! Merc Stealth (less than $80) FTW!
http://www.ideazon.com/us/products/mercstealth.asp

[tavisjohn Posted Jan 29th 2008 5:06PM]

I'd pay $50.00.

The keyboard is way over priced for what it does.

[holycow Posted Jan 29th 2008 5:14PM]

So are all the Apple products...

sorry but i had to drag apple in :P

[tavisjohn Posted Jan 29th 2008 5:19PM]

True, True! That is why I do not purchase Apple products either. ;)

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 29th 2008 5:20PM]

The only way one of these things will be valuable in the long term is if Apple goes with their variant and sues/acquires Levono and eliminates it. Chinese knockoff in 4 3 2 ..

[Vidikron Posted Jan 29th 2008 6:01PM]

I'm not going to lie... I'd love to have one of those keyboards. I'm just not willing to spend that kind of cash on a keyboard. Most people rarely even have to look down at their keyboard when typing anyway, but damn, it would look awesome when you did :P

Anyway, here's to hoping someone figures out an affordable way to make a KB like this.

[CeNeTti Posted Jan 29th 2008 7:07PM]

I'll get one..they have new batch coming feb 20...I need it for my job...custom buy/sell order entries...etc
currently I have stickers on my keys....lol

its way more needed than a macbook fart, opps sorry "air"....so I'll get this one...cant wait...

[mikefletcher85 Posted Jan 29th 2008 7:11PM]

I hate to be the one to point this out.. but the title of this is "How much would you pay to be the first Optimus Maximus owner?" but wouldnt the guy selling this be considered the first owner?

[Sofabutt Posted Jan 29th 2008 8:21PM]

It's only worth $100 to me. Less if there are no mac drivers and associated software.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 29th 2008 8:21PM]

Quoting the optimus page:
"Problem: Design a keyboard with screens embedded in each button."
Under the specs:
"Each of the 113 displays"

There's one OLED on each key. Most of them are just set up to be letters of the alphabet, etc.

Sheesh.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 29th 2008 9:34PM]

I was expecting a Transformers/Beast Wars Optimus Prime/Primal mega-toy, but I guess this'll do.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 29th 2008 10:02PM]

I guess he's cancelling the auction-----------

I just talked to eBay and they want to make it a feature listing on the main page but I need to take the link to www.artlebedev.com out of it. Apparently that link violates one of their rules. I'll be relisting this tomorrow as a 3-day listing. I'll also be including a whole bunch of additional pictures. You'll be able to easily find if either looking for my items for sale or on the main page.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 29th 2008 10:50PM]

Yeah, you'll see it relisted tomorrow. Apparently my putting the link to www.artlebedev.com in the listing was improper and they can't make it a home page feature item with even the smallest issue. Plus if someone who really knew the ebay rules was to complain about that link eBay could cancel the listing. So it will be re-listed tomorrow - with more pictures. You'll be able to find it on the ebay home page though so that is sorta cool.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 30th 2008 10:42AM]

i would pay $40

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 30th 2008 12:58PM]

This item is re-listed at This item has been re-listed as a 3-day listing at:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=290202635658&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=019

After 30,000 hits eBay is moving it to the front page!

[say592 Posted Jan 30th 2008 6:45PM]

Hell, I wont even spend the $13 a key to be an Optimus Maximus owner, let alone the FIRST one.

[ran Posted Mar 10th 2008 10:23PM]

Guy didn't sell it. Looks like a scam. =P

[ran Posted Mar 10th 2008 10:24PM]

Never mind didn't see the second list. I take that back. =X