Optimus Maximus: at long last, we bring one home to test
By Ryan Block 
posted Feb 22nd 2008 12:06PM
posted Feb 22nd 2008 12:06PM
- The OLED displays look really good, and are bright and colorful, just like we'd hoped.
- Key changes were instant (or almost) in Windows mode, but had a slight delay in Mac mode, where some key bindings were also little out of whack. These are known issues, though, and are being worked on.
- The keyboard itself is friggin massive, and very sturdy-feeling. The thing is a tank.
- Replacing keys is pretty easy, but larger keys are more difficult to pull off. You're really only intended to replace the standard-sized keys, so far as we can tell.
- Typing on it, well, sucks. We kind of hate to say it, but this thing more than likely won't replace what ever keyboard you're writing your novel on -- it's better off used as an absurdly configurable swiss army knife for tasks like gaming, Photoshop, or just about any other productivity app that doesn't require a lot of typing.
- Okay, why does typing on the Optimus suck, you ask? Well, although the keyboard uses mechanical switches and a lot of high quality components (evident when we pulled off some keys), and there is some clicky tactility to keypresses, as a whole it just requires way too much force to depress keys. And the larger the key, the more force is required, so enter is easier than space, but harder than tab. Let's put it this way, we sit around and type all day long and this thing wore us out in about 30 seconds to a minute. Carpal sufferers, beware.
- The Configurator is everything we hoped it'd be and more. The ability to paint directly onto the keyboard maps with the image editor of your choice is most excellent. Mapping keyboards to applications and conditions is ridiculously easy. Not everything was working properly though, since we were testing early beta software.
What is that key underneath the youtube key?!?!
t.A.T.u perhaps?
I second the question, what is that key with the two girls!!!
Its the porn key. What, your keyboard doesn't have one? Time to upgrade buddy.
First thing I asked myself... Enquiring minds want to know!
huh?
It's Suicide Girls tbfh
Come on, we wont tell anybody what the icons means, it is just between us. Whats the site and what is the 'Y' next to it?
Default key config is Tatu -- I asked Lebedev about it, he said that he put it on there kind of as a point of Russian pride. I told him maybe he should have had a Tolstoy key instead.
The "Y" next to it is an analog clock.
Thanks for the clarification, Ryan. The drivespace key is neat too - but what happens when you press the analog clock key or the drivespace key?
Ryan, I am thinking you should have just lied to us and told us it was a porn key that unlocked porn from a secret lebdev data warehouse in russia.
I mean, we claim we want to know the truth, but you should know that we have no idea what's best for us!!!
It's the "Two Girls One Cup" Key
Is Tatu really still big over there? I figured they fell out of the limelight as soon as they hit legal age :P
Unanswered questions:
If a OLED key stops working, how hard is it to replace that key?
Would it not be more logicial to make a touchscreen keyboard which has software that changes the button layout on demand?
If I want to setup the Oled buttons to take me directly to porn sites...can I have different icons to fit whatever mood I'm in?
new keys will cost you $300 per key and first born. lol.
Replacing keys is very easy.
Configuring keymaps is ridiculously easy.
And finally, again, configuring keymaps (with conditions) is super easy.
You get 2 free replacement keys?
Flashpoint, I am really tired of your always negative, rarely useful comments. Ok, I'll admit they didn't answer "how easy is it to replace a key". But seriously, if you didn't know that this thing could change key images and each could map to any macro (yes, even porn sites), then you had no business getting involved. Put out a little effort next time, k? Thx.
dude, porn key ftw. Put it like right next to the any key
I love this concept, but honestly it is like the playstation 3, a anti climax, everyone was like, oh is this it? We have had the 360 that does the same thing for a year. As for tactility, keyboards need some strength to the keys, really soft ones suck, and really hard ones suck too.
Ryan, what makes you think it's good for gaming?
I mean, if it's really wears you out quickly, that's bad for any application that requires constant key use
It's not like I'm gonna press my forward/jump/etc keys once a minute...
i see the gmail key has a number for unread mail
the keys are dynamic (if thats the right term for it)?!?
I love how everyone feels the need to reply to the first comment to prevent being on the 2nd page. Especially when most of the replies aren't even relevant to the original comment.
touchscreen keyboard... check
>Optimus Tactus http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/28/art-lebedev-kills-us-with-optimus-tactus-keyboard-concept/
They have a concept of a touch screen keyboard on the site. The only problem there is you'll not have the nice tactile nature of regular keyboards.
OLED is soooooo 2007... or perhaps not
Hey, did yours come with the rubic's cube and freddy glove? I didn't get those? optimus maxianus.
Can't wait for OM 2.0.
You boys at Engadget should start using the PowerBall or whatever wrist strengthening devices are out there - typing on a keyboard may be difficult on the Optimus if your comments are to be believed but we are MEN! Men can overcome any resistance - even if it's a weighty Spacebar!
I don't get it? You from the 50's?
It honestly couldn't be any harder to type than that awful old generation Apple Keyboard you're comparing it to.
(in the photos).
P.S. - I couldn't take typing on that old Apple Keyboard any longer and got myself the new aluminum Apple Keyboard! :)
It honestly could, apparently. A keyboard that does everything well except for typing. Sheer fail.
+eleventybillion. My Mac Pro came with that crappy KB but I never even took it out of the bag, so I didn't realize how bad it was. I used a Mathias Pro keyboard I've had for years -- it's all mechanical keyswitches and kicks ass.
So when I got a hand-me-down PowerMac G5 at work with the Apple KB, I didn't know how terrible it would be. The damn thing is somehow spongy AND stiff with little key travel. Keyboards that don't have a defined 'stop' point are so hard to type on because you don't know when to stop applying pressure.
Allow me to give you a gift - a Tickle Me Elmo doll - as a token of my concern and appreciation for your comments.
You comment doesn't provide much less insight then Flashpoint's.
It IS a serious matter he's commenting on. This thing cost as much as new T-series ThinkPad! It would be nice if it could last a tad longer then it's warranty period. I don't know anyone who'd put out as much cash for a keyboard and then be happy to pay additional $100s to repair it in case keys fail. And they will fail.
Personally I'd rather go for a touchscreen myself.
Digg it!!
http://digg.com/gadgets/Engadget_Finally_Tests_the_Optimus_Maximus
Argh, that sucks about how it's hard to type on it.. I hope the second generation has easier to press keys (normally keyboards need about 55 grams of force). Is it worse than an antique typewriter?
Anyway, i hope they read engadget's feedback and fix the issues. I may still get one to support 'em just so that they may have enough sales to be able to produce version 2 with its issues fixed.
Yup, like you, I'll wait for the next iteration of this technology. Its an interesting concept, but I think it'll be the next few versions of this technology which really make it widely appealing.
Afterall, keyboards do kind of need to be easy to type on and not give you some sort of achy feeling in your hands / wrists, which it sounds as if this one does.
As a concept though, the keyboard rocks.
55 grams is not a measure of force, unless you're referring to the amount of force exerted by a 55 gram weight. I don't know where you get your numbers from, but grams is a measure of mass. Newtons, dynes, and pounds are the units of force. 55 grams on Earth at sea level is usually 53900 dynes, .539 newtons, or 0.1212 pounds. It will be different on other planets or at different elevations on Earth.
@Chris
Yes Professor Einstein, I knew that. I guess I should have used newtons so a broader audience can understand. I mistakenly assumed there weren't a majority of Martians here who didnt know the force of gravity on 55 gram mass on earth.
Hey Chris, nice try.
"Pound" is a weight, just like grams are. Just a different unit. You meant lbf (pound-force), right? It's ok, beginning physics students are always a bit confused on that.
You know what'd be cool? Giving one of these way in a Engadget contest...
or more... ;)
jks
You guys must be FREAKING OUT ECSTATIC on the arrival of that beauty! Congratulations! Have fun with that sweet ass baby.....ENVIOUS!!!
What!?!
A good tasting butt-baby?
I always wondered why you guys were lucky enough to get your very own key on the Maximus, its turns out its because you were one of the very few willing to actually pay for one! :p
I can't believe that they would put all that time and money into a keyboard, and then skip on the most fundamental feature - typing.
This is pretty disappointing as well but I guess that's what happens with all first gen devices - you have to work out the kinks.
Personally, those rubber 'covers', with the symbols printed on, that some people put over their keyboards for photoshop work seem much better now. Cheap, and you can just remove it to have a normal keyboard.
i would've got one if they werent expensive, 100 dollars would be the most i would pay for a keyboard period and thats pushing it.
Well then, good news! You're only paying $13.84 for the keyboard period on the Optimus Maximus!
When you say it is hard to type on, how does it compare to a hefty keyboard like an IBM model M?