OCZ rolls out Sabre OLED gaming keyboard
By Donald Melanson 
posted Jun 23rd 2009 4:23PM
posted Jun 23rd 2009 4:23PM
If this OLED-laden keyboard looks a little familiar, it should, 'cause we saw the same one back at Computex when it was known as the United Keys OLED Display Keyboard (itself manufactured by Foxconn). Of course, with the OCZ name comes widespread US availability, although there's unfortunately still no word of a price or release date just yet (the United Keys version runs $260). Otherwise, it looks like this new Sabre model has remain unchanged from its earlier counterpart, with it still packing the same nine user-programmable OLED keys, 128MB of on-board memory, blue LED "sidelighting," limitless macro configurations, some "super tactile, low-noise" key feedback and, unfortunately, a lack of Mac compatibility.
Why is it no-one designs a gaming keyboard that is slim like a Dell slimline keyboard? I don't need that wristpad or the bulkiness of that thing but I really do need full n-key rollover functionality.
I don't want to reach all the way over there to launch my artillery and/or primary nades. If i look away too much I will get pwnd by the haxors.
I'm pretty sure you can take the wristpad off a lycosa or artocsa, which would make them very compact. That has n-key rollover for sure. Or I'm pretty sure the wristpad comes off the G15 and G19 too.
Yeah it's screwed on. Although, I like having the wristpad on.
that's why I'll never get one of those big ass Logitech gaming keyboards... not only do I not see a need for the crazy LCD's, but the things are just wayyyyy too big. This one looks great though, aside from the $200 overhead for the OLED keys.
Really, the Razer Lycosa is the best gaming keyboard ever. The backlight's really cool, although a bit superfluous, since you never really look at the keys. Same goes for this keyboard.
Gaming on an ergonomic keyboard is a lot better. I never understood these flat keyboards if I wanted bad ergonomics I would go game on a laptop.
Every time I've used an "ergonomic" keyboard they've been worse than the standard flat style to me. It's very unnatural and puts my hands in an awkward position. Maybe it's the way I type, I dunno.
I was thinking the same thing while reading this. I want a shiny OLED keyboard with a gentle curve to the key layout to help out my weak ass wrists.
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Getting laid too much antidote.
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Indiana Jones: The antidote!
Willie: Where's the diamond?
Of course its not Mac compatible...it is a GAMING keyboard...
Exactly my thoughts, not that I hate Apple or anything.
Hell, I'm a Mac devotee and I still chuckled, because you're absolutely right. :)
It's reportedly also not compatible with 64bit vista or XP64, only 32bit vista and 32bit XP (so far), so for gamers who don't have more than 3GB then I guess eh.
And they say it's good for 'CAD', yeah less than 4GB CAD users then, real pro that.
The word fail springs to mind at this point.
Why does a friggin keyboard need 128MB storage!??!?!
for the OLED part. little pictures on the keys
Drivers?
I always thought that would be a good idea to have drivers internally on the hardware and then replace them with newer ones when they were released. Not sure about what the keyboard uses the storage for but if it is that it'd be pretty cool.
...to store your stupidity. :)P
You're right, 128MB to run a keyboard? Even with the bells & whistles, that's a lot of code, gentlemen...
A bargain!
I'll take 10 please.
Still looking for a keyboard solution for easy porn cleanup other than plastic wrap. Pass on this.
Techgage has the price of it at $199 which, to be honest, is pretty expensive for a keyboard + 9 OLED keys.
The OCZ site also says it's XP/Vista 32bit compatible: no 64 bit drivers?
I'd love an OLED keyboard, but not at that price thank you!
Just use windows 7 64bit if they don't have 64bit drivers.
and that makes sense, how?
I believe Windows 7 64bit can use both 32bit and 64bit drivers. I know it can use 32bit programs.
The nonstandard layout of the insert, delete, home, end, page up and page down keys makes the keyboard worthless for anybody that actually knows how to type. A shame these keyboard manufacturers feel the need to try and buck convention when typing is so much about muscle memory...
"buck convention" (re: insert/delete, home/end, page up/down)
Unfortunately, it would seem that keyboard manufacturers are trying to make a new convention for these keys, as they must think that three keys wide is too wide.
While I agree with their decision in getting rid of the "insert" key (that I NEVER have had a use for), I still like the standard of having
insert | home | page ^
delete | end | page v
I hope that it doesn't become THE standard that changes all keyboards, so that at least there will be some available with the "old" style - either that or I'll be buying used keyboards from eBay when I need 'em.
I love the new del/home/end layout - in fact I now have real trouble typing on the traditional style... Give it a few weeks and you'll love it.
These "gaming" keyboards are just laughably large. Slim is in. I LOVE my ol' Logitech DiNovo. Ultra slim. Batteries last 3 months (4xAA). No bulky number pad. A few modestly placed media buttons. Plenty of room left for mouse and joystick all together on the desktop. Oh..and the keyboard is Bluetooth to boot. Lord help me if the keyboard every dies and Logitech quits making them.
Wait, they make a Dinovo that takes AAs? I thought they were internal rechargeable batteries only.
The lack of mac compatibility is probably because this is a gaming keyboard.
No MAC love here -- oh the humanities...
MAC - Gaming not compatible.
Logitech to OCZ: "Meh, is that all you got?"
Hmmm I think OCZ's marketing team needs a swift kick... ~$200 keyboard for gaming... obviously not intended for Mac users and no PC users are likely to fork out $200 for a freakin keyboard!!
with 128mb of ram it should run win98 with q3 on top...
128mb? are they serious? what does this keyboard store? b&w key images have grown in size?... How amazing of a macro can it store? There better be some built-in porn running for at least an hour on those little keys to the left....
I want to smash it on someone's head.
is it wireless? looks cool but useless.