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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: sggsix on Tue, 21 July 2009, 13:35:17

Title: Optimus Maximus
Post by: sggsix on Tue, 21 July 2009, 13:35:17

Does anyone on this site own this keyboard?

Title: Optimus Maximus
Post by: itlnstln on Tue, 21 July 2009, 13:38:13

To my knowledge, no.  The only person that might would be webwit, but I don't think even he has the will to drop that kind of coin on an, otherwise, average keyboard.  It's just a fullsize keyboard with Cherry ML switches and some neat bells and whistles.  It's not really worth the price of entry, IMO.

Title: Optimus Maximus
Post by: Rajagra on Tue, 21 July 2009, 14:52:32

I'd like to believe that this is the way of the future, that the technology will get more and more affordable, to the point where all keyboards have displays on the keys. And one day we will look back at today's crude, displayless keyboards and laugh at how quaint they were.

But in my heart, and proven by the trend of the last 20 years, I know they will just find ways to make keyboards cheaper and crappier.

The Optimus Maximus is a luxury gadget, a dead-end idea destined to become one of those novelty items looked back at in the history books with a mixture of awe and ridicule.

Title: Optimus Maximus
Post by: o2dazone on Tue, 21 July 2009, 15:09:59

Quote from: Rajagra;103637

a dead-end idea destined to become one of those novelty items looked back at in the history books with a mixture of awe and ridicule.

"Art" lol

Title: Optimus Maximus
Post by: Rajagra on Tue, 21 July 2009, 15:16:04

Quote from: ripster;103641

I think we'll get to the moon in another 20 years.

Don't trust the locals.

(http://www.g-ray.co.uk/pictures/scousers/moon_buggy_big.jpg)

Title: Optimus Maximus
Post by: erricrice on Tue, 21 July 2009, 16:02:38

Quote from: Rajagra;103648

Don't trust the locals.

Show Image

(http://www.g-ray.co.uk/pictures/scousers/moon_buggy_big.jpg)

Lol!

I agree.  When the future comes everyone will look back on that keyboard and anyone who bought one will instantly kill themselves.  The remaining will laugh at their dead bodies and ridicule their souls.

Title: Optimus Maximus
Post by: itlnstln on Tue, 21 July 2009, 16:25:54

Quote from: erricrice;103655

Lol!
 
I agree. When the future comes everyone will look back on that keyboard and anyone who bought one will instantly kill themselves. The remaining will laugh at their dead bodies and ridicule their souls.

Man.  That's harsh.

Title: Optimus Maximus
Post by: erricrice on Tue, 21 July 2009, 20:39:30

don't ever take me that seriously lol.  I was just in an inventive mood.  I think it would be really fun to have one of those keyboards, but i would never actually spend any money on one and certainly not for almost $1000

Title: Optimus Maximus
Post by: ch_123 on Tue, 21 July 2009, 20:57:26

Quote from: sggsix;103621

Does anyone on this site own this keyboard?

I've heard that buying one earns you an instant auto-ban. Same with the Logitech G19... =P

Title: Optimus Maximus
Post by: Mercen_505 on Wed, 22 July 2009, 07:09:11

Despite the inherently high "ooh" factor in terms of visuals, typing on flat keys on top of ML switches isn't my idea of fun. I wouldn't buy one for $100, much less $1000+.

Title: Optimus Maximus
Post by: Manyak on Wed, 22 July 2009, 07:33:01

Quote from: Mercen_505;103717

Despite the inherently high "ooh" factor in terms of visuals, typing on flat keys on top of ML switches isn't my idea of fun. I wouldn't buy one for $100, much less $1000+.

I dunno about that. For $100 I'd definitely make it my gaming board. :)

Title: Optimus Maximus
Post by: sggsix on Wed, 22 July 2009, 07:58:27

Quote from: ch_123;103682

I've heard that buying one earns you an instant auto-ban. Same with the Logitech G19... =P

LMFAO!  Sorry guys I had to ask cause I'm a Russian American.

Title: Optimus Maximus
Post by: Red October on Fri, 24 July 2009, 01:17:13

The Optimus Maximus is a weird sort of thing.  I think it's something like the Wang Freestyle or the "chording" keyboards that went with the old Xerox workstations and tech demonstrators.  It has a small chance of being the wave of the future, but will most likely be forgotten by most everyone.  I don't think typing on flat keys would be much fun, either.

Title: Optimus Maximus
Post by: CrapTypist on Fri, 24 July 2009, 11:40:02

I think it's got a *bit* of value for folks that use heavily shortcut-based software like graphics, audio, or video-editing stuff.  It would shorten the learning curve (provided there's a nice-looking template for each of your program), taking the place of several custom-printed keyboards (which run around $100 each anyhow).

Then again, so does a flat Apple 'board and a few of those printed silicone covers, total cost- around $50 + $20 per program.  Nowhere near as sexy, but hey, whatever!

Title: Optimus Maximus
Post by: o2dazone on Fri, 24 July 2009, 18:15:09

Looking down for keyboard shortcuts is counter productive. Hotkeys are used to speed up workflow, not just execute it differently

Title: Optimus Maximus
Post by: watduzhkstand4 on Fri, 24 July 2009, 22:34:59

I heard that this keyboard has no feel of where the keys are and it's horrible to type on unfortunately =(

Title: Optimus Maximus
Post by: cmr on Sat, 25 July 2009, 23:48:39

i think this keyboard has a place in gallery installations, like on some kind of kiosk with multimedia related to the exhibit. you wouldn't want to type on it for everyday use, but i think there is an application for it in places where you want something that looks cool and is customizable as well as reusable.

i've been trying to convince them to get one to use for the gallery installations at work, but with the recent budget cuts i won't be surprised if i get in to work on monday and my workstation has been replaced with a PC/XT

(then again, that would come with a model F, wouldn't it...)

Title: Optimus Maximus
Post by: Hak Foo on Sun, 26 July 2009, 00:28:25

The niche is weird:

It's for applications which need the 101 layout, but also the graphics.

Most kiosk-style applications don't need both.  You either have single-purpose buttons (with graphics) or typing (with a 101)

Title: Optimus Maximus
Post by: Rajagra on Sun, 26 July 2009, 03:36:21

I was tempted by this (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320399269988), but even when it was under £20 I was struggling to think of what I would use it for, so I didn't bid.

Title: Optimus Maximus
Post by: watduzhkstand4 on Sun, 26 July 2009, 07:17:01

Quote from: Rajagra;104440

I was tempted by this (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320399269988), but even when it was under £20 I was struggling to think of what I would use it for, so I didn't bid.

I wanted one but it's so freakin expensive =/

Title: Optimus Maximus
Post by: Manyak on Sun, 26 July 2009, 11:15:03

Quote from: webwit;104485

The Optimus Maximus is a nice art project, that's all.

Hey, it seems Apple's mysterious tablet is really on its way now. I suspect this to have all the nice Fingerworks gestures. Will it have tactile vibrations yet? Tactile multi-finger touchpads will become very big I think.

It's not even an x86 CPU, so you're limited to whatever software they give you. Kind of like a giant iPhone without the app store or cydia.

Title: Optimus Maximus
Post by: Bollwerk on Wed, 29 July 2009, 11:30:46

Hm, I really like ML-Switches so the Maximus would be a very nice keyboard to me... but not for my money.^^

Title: Optimus Maximus
Post by: timw4mail on Wed, 29 July 2009, 12:24:17

Quote from: Bollwerk;105233

Hm, I really like ML-Switches so the Maximus would be a very nice keyboard to me... but not for my money.^^

What are the ML switches like?

Title: Optimus Maximus
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 29 July 2009, 13:43:20

Quote from: timw4mail;105248

What are the ML switches like?

They are low-profile, mechanical switches.  They feel similar to Cherry browns in that they are tactile and not clicky, but the MLs are a little more tactile with a shorter throw.  They are also a little heavier.  Think if these as if you had a laptop with mechanical switches.
 
Mmm... a laptop with MLs.

Title: Optimus Maximus
Post by: ch_123 on Wed, 29 July 2009, 13:47:03

I once used an old Toshiba laptop with rather strange switches (I wasnt able to pull a keycap off, and didnt force it for fear of damaging the keyboard) I spent ages trying to figure out whether they were really tactile, or just linear. Problem is on a switch with such short travel it can be hard to tell the difference.

Title: Optimus Maximus
Post by: Xuan on Mon, 03 August 2009, 21:11:17

wouldn't be nice if someone manufacture mechanical replacement keyboards for laptops? (trackpoint included of course)

Title: Optimus Maximus
Post by: timw4mail on Mon, 03 August 2009, 21:16:06

Quote from: Xuan;106725

wouldn't be nice if someone manufacture mechanical replacement keyboards for laptops? (trackpoint included of course)

That could be rather difficult, considering the vast number of models of laptops just from one manufacturer.