My two cents on the Optimus and keyboards in general.
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?
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My two cents on the Optimus and keyboards in general.
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 ;)