OCZ rolls out Sabre OLED gaming keyboard

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.

[E71 @ Jun 23rd 2009 4:28PM]

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.

[OneLove @ Jun 23rd 2009 4:55PM]

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.

[Ypoknons @ Jun 23rd 2009 4:56PM]

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.

[Poo_and_Wee @ Jun 23rd 2009 7:11PM]

Yeah it's screwed on. Although, I like having the wristpad on.

[Levi @ Jun 23rd 2009 8:21PM]

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.

[Poo_and_Wee @ Jun 24th 2009 6:15AM]

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.

[Templarian @ Jun 23rd 2009 4:32PM]

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.

[chrisk1590 @ Jun 23rd 2009 5:05PM]

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.

[Clyde Berry @ Jun 23rd 2009 5:12PM]

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.

[va jj @ Jun 23rd 2009 4:33PM]

recession antidote.

[GRAMMAR POLICE @ Jun 23rd 2009 4:53PM]

Getting laid too much antidote.

[Levi @ Jun 23rd 2009 8:22PM]

you guys are gonna need the antidotes for the antidotes.

[Amun @ Jun 23rd 2009 8:46PM]

Indiana Jones: The antidote!
Willie: Where's the diamond?

[Andrew @ Jun 23rd 2009 4:34PM]

Of course its not Mac compatible...it is a GAMING keyboard...

[hamerhead_12 @ Jun 23rd 2009 4:37PM]

Exactly my thoughts, not that I hate Apple or anything.

[Shunnabunich @ Jun 23rd 2009 7:19PM]

Hell, I'm a Mac devotee and I still chuckled, because you're absolutely right. :)

[Wwhat @ Jun 23rd 2009 9:37PM]

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.

[richb93 @ Jun 23rd 2009 4:40PM]

Why does a friggin keyboard need 128MB storage!??!?!

[Croooow @ Jun 23rd 2009 4:41PM]

for the OLED part. little pictures on the keys

[Ty Lamb @ Jun 23rd 2009 4:43PM]

Drivers?

[richb93 @ Jun 23rd 2009 4:49PM]

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.

[OneLove @ Jun 23rd 2009 5:21PM]

...to store your stupidity. :)P

[Bad Beaver @ Jun 23rd 2009 5:56PM]

You're right, 128MB to run a keyboard? Even with the bells & whistles, that's a lot of code, gentlemen...

[xcrunk @ Jun 23rd 2009 4:51PM]

A bargain!

I'll take 10 please.

[DanielT @ Jun 23rd 2009 4:56PM]

Still looking for a keyboard solution for easy porn cleanup other than plastic wrap. Pass on this.

[404 @ Jun 23rd 2009 5:03PM]

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!

[Templarian @ Jun 23rd 2009 5:14PM]

Just use windows 7 64bit if they don't have 64bit drivers.

[OneLove @ Jun 23rd 2009 5:37PM]

and that makes sense, how?

[Danneh @ Jun 24th 2009 10:58AM]

I believe Windows 7 64bit can use both 32bit and 64bit drivers. I know it can use 32bit programs.

[Jim @ Jun 23rd 2009 5:07PM]

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...

[Christopher @ Jun 23rd 2009 8:57PM]

"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.

[Dave @ Jul 10th 2009 4:55AM]

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.

[Chip @ Jun 23rd 2009 5:29PM]

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.

[freakdiablo @ Jun 24th 2009 8:39AM]

Wait, they make a Dinovo that takes AAs? I thought they were internal rechargeable batteries only.

[RX3115 @ Jun 23rd 2009 5:51PM]

The lack of mac compatibility is probably because this is a gaming keyboard.

[rsm @ Jun 23rd 2009 7:05PM]

No MAC love here -- oh the humanities...

[Anticrawl @ Jun 23rd 2009 9:45PM]

MAC - Gaming not compatible.

[PhotoFre@k @ Jun 23rd 2009 10:16PM]

Logitech to OCZ: "Meh, is that all you got?"

[Sloblocks @ Jun 23rd 2009 10:49PM]

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!!

[Pretol @ Jun 24th 2009 3:54AM]

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....

[molecule-eye @ Jun 24th 2009 4:15AM]

I want to smash it on someone's head.

[PuppY K1ck3R @ Jun 24th 2009 11:17AM]

is it wireless? looks cool but useless.