http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/ Engadget Comments for Optimus Maximus sold on eBay at terrifically inflated cost http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/Feb 11th 2008 5:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/
Q: Does this keyboard have an "Any Key"? My computer is always asking me to push that key but my low-end keyboard doesn't seem to have one.

A: Yes, you can make 113 ANY keys if you want.]]>Feb 11th 2008 6:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/
You may have to log in to see all of them, but you can see the first five without doing so.]]>Feb 11th 2008 8:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/Feb 11th 2008 10:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/Feb 12th 2008 11:07AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/http://www.burgey.org
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Not that I'm saying such a keyboard is worth this price (or even the MSRP, for that matter)...]]>Feb 11th 2008 5:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/
Second, new technology always comes at a great premium. In a few (ok, maybe more than a few) years when this kind of keyboard costs $100, you will have the Optimus to thank for pioneering the way.]]>Feb 11th 2008 5:57PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/Feb 11th 2008 6:10PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/Feb 11th 2008 8:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/Feb 11th 2008 8:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/Feb 11th 2008 6:04PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/Feb 11th 2008 6:04PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/Feb 11th 2008 6:10PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/Feb 11th 2008 6:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/Feb 11th 2008 6:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/That being said, the price is still too steep for me (plus I want a natural keyboard version...)]]>Feb 11th 2008 6:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/Huge slabs of totally unnecessary polystyrene and oversized bleached boxes rule. I want the packaging to outlast me, after all. Now that's value.

]]>Feb 11th 2008 6:57PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/Feb 11th 2008 7:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/
For years I've been looking for something that isn't cheap plastic, has a nice tap feel like a laptop keyboard but a decent slope. I don't the space bar 2 inches from my thumb, I don't want a stupid curve on the bottom row of buttons. How come NOBODY is making a simple excellent keyboard? I've spent probably 20 hours searching the web for something really good and found multitudes of silly gamer designs, trippy lighting, rolling, folding... but nothing with really great key feel and layout.

Would that I could render one myself it might be worth paying for someone to hand build me one. For now I stockpiled 4 great Benq X120s that are no longer produced... I'm down to two after user stupidity issues.

Suggestions?]]>Feb 11th 2008 7:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/Feb 11th 2008 8:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/
Cheap plastic? No.
Nice tactile response? Yes.
Decent slope? Yes.
Stupid curve? No.
Expensive? No. Not like an Optimus, anyway.
Simply excellent? Absolutely.

You can find out everything you would ever want to know about these here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model_M_Keyboard

I have a bunch of the different variants; even the 15 year old one still works great.]]>Feb 11th 2008 9:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/
You might have some luck with the Logitech wireless kits and the aforementioned Apple keyboard - the Logitech S510 and DiNovo spring to mind ...]]>Feb 12th 2008 12:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/
I will give the new Model M a playtest if I can find one in a store, like the post above says, not sure it will have a nice tactile feel, but worth a go thanks!

As for the Apple, not seen it in stores yet but I'm sure it's there. Wonder if I can get it to run on my PC without undue grief.

Thanks all!]]>Feb 15th 2008 1:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/
If a rich person had it, it would be on a marble countertop or something of the sort.]]>Feb 11th 2008 7:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/Feb 12th 2008 11:07AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/Feb 11th 2008 7:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/Feb 11th 2008 7:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/Feb 11th 2008 9:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/optimus-maximus-sold-on-ebay-at-terrifically-inflated-cost/
Keyboards age. They have lots of moving parts, they get dirty (no matter how clean and tidy you are), and though most keyboards can be cleaned thoroughly by removing the keys, most key designs make it so the keyboard changes when you remove and put back keys (the tactile feel / sounds will change). So no matter how much you spend on a keyboard, and how well you maintain it and care for it, in a year or two it will start degrading. The Optimus doesn't have magical "everlast" technology; it's a keyboard. It will get crappier to use with time. If they had figured out how to circumvent that, they'd have made it one of their selling points.

The idea of per-key macros is awesome. The idea of programmable key "screens" is even better. But honnestly, you can do per-key macros with free software off the 'net. But do you? I mean the option is out there, but is there really a need to have so many macros, per-program, on your keyboard? Personally, I end up setting up personalized shortcuts in my applications and games, and learning them. It's not a big deal. So the whole macro thing for the Optimus is really just a driver thing that you can get for free with any keyboard out there.

The screen keys? Now that's awesome. But do I want my letter and number keys to change? No, I probably wouldn't, I mean yeah having arrows for WASD in games is kind of neat, but in most games I play I'll still want to type text. And I know what WASD do. Changing the face of the twelve function keys would be semi useful, but think about it -- all software and games will still refer to the function keys by their name. Press F9 to quicksave. Press F1 for help. Sure it's prettier to have nicely lit icons instead of the old austere text labels, but I'm thinking it would also make it a bit confusing.

I think this whole Optimus thing is really just the brainchild of someone who has the resources to implement his dreams. I doubt commercial success is a criteria for these guys. They'll release the keyboard, make news, make "history", and move on to the next big thing. Some (few) people will buy the keyboard (or the stripped-down version, which I think makes more sense but is still not a sound purchase), show it off, play with it, then change it after a couple years as it starts to age. It's just a "toy", it will be cool to have and show off, but not very practical in the long run.

Lastly -- the one thing I personally always do before buying a new keyboard is to try it out in a store. See how it feels, see how it sounds. Are you guys really going to order a ridiculously expensive keyboard without trying it?

Just my two cents ;)]]>Feb 12th 2008 10:22AM