Maximum PC reviews the Phantom Lapboard, for real

Maybe we're confused, but we were under the impression that the oft-delayed, mist-like device known as the Phantom Lapboard had been released to the public. Apparently, we were mistaken. Regardless, Maximum PC has gotten a thorough, in-depth look at the $130 pivoting keyboard / mouse / mousepad combo. We won't bore you with the details of their encounter with this beast -- which they claim is due in June now -- though we can tell you that they complain of a "wimpy" left mouse click, which frankly is a deal-breaker for 4/16ths of the Engadget editorial staff. The other 12/16ths don't like it because they had a bad experience with a matte black keyboard once.

[beast @ Apr 26th 2008 12:18AM]

"The other 12/16ths don't like it because they had a bad experience with a matte black keyboard once."

that's an odd reason to hate a keyboard, i think.

[cydonia @ Apr 26th 2008 12:22AM]

it's probably because matte surfaces gets all gross and shiny after a few months use.

[JohnTitor @ Apr 26th 2008 12:34AM]

the only reason the other 12/16ths (reduces to 3/4th by the way) don't complain about the left click is because they don't need it for their Macs

[kr @ Apr 26th 2008 12:38AM]

1. You are thinking of right click. Hold up your hands...Now, which one makes an "L" when you stick your thumbs out? That is "left".
2. Macs can use right click.
3. (more of a P.S.) I am a 101% PC user, no flames please!

[BananaBoat @ Apr 26th 2008 2:02AM]

I can't believe that through all of that comedy, noone ever laughed at the 130 dollar price tag. You can get the friggin top of the line Logitech Mouse/Keyboard set for that. Good luck selling it guys.

[Drew @ Apr 26th 2008 4:14AM]

@ Bananaboat


Yeah but can you rota... wait nevermind.

[wasabi @ Apr 26th 2008 12:23AM]

wow... i never thought i would live to see the day when this thing gets crossed off the vaporware list.

[Bman21212 @ Apr 27th 2008 3:29PM]

It's great for playing "Duke Nukem Forever" on!

[Ghen @ Apr 28th 2008 9:37AM]

As more PC games move themselves to consoles to prevent piracy this will become more of a necessity. Next stop MMOs.

[Ghen @ Apr 28th 2008 9:37AM]

Oh, and I use a modchip so let 'em switch ;)

[bob @ Apr 26th 2008 12:23AM]

yeah when you spill that... um... "glue" on it, it really shows up...

[John @ Apr 26th 2008 12:43AM]

I'm guessing that 16 people work at Engadget, for all you fraction-reducers out there.

[teslasnp @ Apr 26th 2008 2:13AM]

small staff means bigger paycheck

[Kurian @ Apr 26th 2008 12:57AM]

I stuck my keyboard to the table with double sided tape because I hate it when people come to my place and turn the keyboard because they can't frigging sit exactly in front of the monitor! This thing might actually be useful for me.

I also taped all my 5.1 speakers to exact locations on the desk so the same morons don't move the center speaker because they're too frigging short to see the monitor over it!

[Mat @ Apr 26th 2008 1:12AM]

Dude, !

[Tom @ Apr 26th 2008 1:17AM]

Whoa, relax dude. Seriously.

[Juaquin @ Apr 26th 2008 2:29AM]

Better see someone about that OCD

[DarkLightConnection Unbanned @ Apr 26th 2008 4:23AM]

I don't quite have that problem (because I'm the only computer user around), but nice to see I'm not the only one extremely obsessed about having screen and speakers perfectly centered ;-).... (I'm not that picky about the keyboard though, I keep moving it myself)

[Dustin @ Apr 28th 2008 1:49AM]

I noticed that you also glued your cat to the ground because it kept trying to "walk around"

[Stephen @ Apr 26th 2008 1:36AM]

Do any of the three employees at that company even collect a paycheck anymore? As of today, Phantom Entertainment's stock (PHEI) is worth 0.0002/share. Yes, that really is 2/10,000. So if you think that this thing might ever take off, you can load up with several thousand shares for a few bucks. They've remained under a penny now for almost 2 years now...For more fun info on how much Phantom hasn't done, visit http://arstechnica.com/articles/culture/true-infinium-stories-the-73-million-phantom.ars

[celerysword @ Apr 26th 2008 1:42AM]

i think i'll get one for my phantom girlfriend.

[tekdroid @ Apr 26th 2008 1:43AM]

"...we experienced signal dropouts at a distance of about 24 inches from the sensor, not acceptable. The mouse and keyboard would both be working fine, then the mouse would drop out while the keyboard continued to operate. We tested several other wireless mice with the same configuration, and had no problems with them. A wireless mouse that drops connections is an unforgivable sin, in our eyes."
----
Oh dear. There goes its reason for coming into existence.


"The other thing that left us deeply concerned is the wimpy click on the left mouse button. The left button didn't rebound sufficiently from a click to make it easily clickable again, a problem which didn't occur with the right mouse button. We think this is a manufacturing defect, but it's definitely a concern."
----
Oh dear x2. These are the basics!
I thought this had hit the market long ago, too, btw.

[Shiftlock @ Apr 26th 2008 2:08AM]

They keys look brown. Very Commodore 64ish.

[Jordan @ Apr 26th 2008 2:41AM]

I should smack whoever thought of something this stupid.

[ugg.tryptophan @ Apr 26th 2008 3:47AM]

looks like a cool keyboard, all it needs is a better wireless mouse

[merderjunkie @ Apr 26th 2008 9:02AM]

i love how not one post has said anything about the gaming "system" they where originally coming out with. you know, the one that the company said would be out in less than a year in 2002...

[BigTeebo @ Apr 26th 2008 11:50AM]

No numeric keypad? Dealbreaker.

[Josh L @ Apr 26th 2008 1:19PM]

++

They clearly had plenty of extra real-estate on this device. Why leave out a numpad?

[bobartig @ Apr 26th 2008 3:11PM]

So, Phantom burns through $100+M of investor capital to make this plastic wedge? Give me just a scant $50,000,000, and I'll make you a plastic wedge/keyboard that out-performs this one in EVERY way, and costs less to produce.

[AlphaTeam @ Apr 26th 2008 7:03PM]

They should have at least put buckling spring or at the very least mechanical switches. I'm not spending more than $100 for someone that use nothing more than a mushy laptop like keyboard.

If they had used the better keys I'd even buy, not just consider, this.

[Kax02 @ Apr 26th 2008 10:02PM]

Honestly now,

http://www.marketwatch.com/quotes/phei

Did someone run a paper route and save up the money to produce that single prototype or what?

if I recall correctly other sites are rating the stock more around 0.0002 cents per share.

[Jake Maheu @ Apr 27th 2008 12:24AM]

I am VERY tempted to put like... $5 into their stocks.

At .0002 cents per share, I'd have roughly 25,000 stocks.

If those stocks went up, say, 5 cents each, I'd have made $1,250.

I totally have to do this.

[Chris in CA @ Apr 28th 2008 10:51AM]

You do realize even if the stock multiplied in value by a factor of 100, it would still be less than the smallest denomination coin? Even if it increased in value by 10,000 times, the stock value would be insignificant. Then you have the whole track record thing of Phantom being (ir)responsible with investor money. This could be a fantastic investment if they re-esigned the board, had more than one product, replaced all officers in the company, were able to pro-actively resolve all lawsuits heading their way from ex-investors, and oh yeah- actually deliver a product in volume.
I would think if this company had any potential value whatsoever, the company would buy up their own stock, since they could probably buy all outstanding shares for a ten-spot.

[craigdela @ May 6th 2008 11:20PM]

That was a proto type board. The next shipment may not have that problem

[CraigD @ May 6th 2008 11:20PM]

That was a proto type board. The next shipment may not have that problem.

[pheadbaq @ Jun 22nd 2008 12:20AM]

Looks like they're finally shipping it. Their online store is back up and taking orders. Shipment is by Fedex ground (5 business days):

http://www.store.phantom.net/