Anusha
04-27-2007, 09:09 PM
Remember I posted a thread about the most expensive keyboards?
Here's the winner.
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/anushand/OptimusMaximusKeyboard.jpg
With 102 configurable mini-OLED screens as keys and a gorgeously understated look, the Art Lebedev-designed Optimus keyboard became a thing of legend. Geeks and gadgeteers around the Internet fawned over the keyboard as though it were the face of their chosen God: each key radiating with the brilliant OLED beauty that only a true geek can appreciate. Even we here at Ars couldn't escape the siren song of this unrivaled device.
OptimusThe appeal was fairly obvious. Dynamically changing input based on whatever you were doing on your computer. Launch a game and the keys would automatically change to reflect the controls of the game. Start up Photoshop and instantly the hotkeys would be labeled. :shocked: :shocked: :shocked:
Naturally, the ambitious project was met with countless delays. Originally popping up in July 2005, the project was eventually pushed into 2007 release territory. First the input was changed to black-and-white, then back to color. Then it completely fell off the map in the stead of the similarly-designed 3 button mini-keypad. However, that didn't stop the e-masses from continuing to worship the ultimate keyboard—even facing strict competition, the Optimus managed to win itself a place on the most anticipated devices of 2007 and eventually returned to the limelight for one last final hurrah before it would fall from grace.
And boy did it ever fall from grace. Just over a month ago, concrete details began to surface about the availability and price of the long-awaited deity of the keyboard world. When word came out that the keyboard, allegedly due for Christmas 2007, was to hit for a whopping $1490, the keyboard instantly fell from its pedestal of greatness to a more lowly position somewhere far beyond the scope of even hardcore tech enthusiasts. It was simply too hard to believe; some speculated that the first price was just a rumor and not confirmed. To a certain extent, the naysayers were right, as it seems the keyboard is now even more expensive and more limited than was originally imagined.
The Optimus keyboard has now been confirmed for release this November at a cost of $1536. Only 200 units will be produced through the end of this year, with 400 more due out in January. It is uncertain whether production will continue after that point. Needless to say, the price-point and limited quantities have taken this artistic derivation from the realm of the desirable to the realm of the ridiculous. As beautiful as this keyboard is, $1536 is simply an order of magnitude greater than what I, and I assume many others, would be willing to pay. So, dear Optimus, object of my affection for so long, I bid you adieu. May you rest in peace. I'll be sure to pick up your descendant once Logitech pumps it out for a much more modest price.
Here's the winner.
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/anushand/OptimusMaximusKeyboard.jpg
With 102 configurable mini-OLED screens as keys and a gorgeously understated look, the Art Lebedev-designed Optimus keyboard became a thing of legend. Geeks and gadgeteers around the Internet fawned over the keyboard as though it were the face of their chosen God: each key radiating with the brilliant OLED beauty that only a true geek can appreciate. Even we here at Ars couldn't escape the siren song of this unrivaled device.
OptimusThe appeal was fairly obvious. Dynamically changing input based on whatever you were doing on your computer. Launch a game and the keys would automatically change to reflect the controls of the game. Start up Photoshop and instantly the hotkeys would be labeled. :shocked: :shocked: :shocked:
Naturally, the ambitious project was met with countless delays. Originally popping up in July 2005, the project was eventually pushed into 2007 release territory. First the input was changed to black-and-white, then back to color. Then it completely fell off the map in the stead of the similarly-designed 3 button mini-keypad. However, that didn't stop the e-masses from continuing to worship the ultimate keyboard—even facing strict competition, the Optimus managed to win itself a place on the most anticipated devices of 2007 and eventually returned to the limelight for one last final hurrah before it would fall from grace.
And boy did it ever fall from grace. Just over a month ago, concrete details began to surface about the availability and price of the long-awaited deity of the keyboard world. When word came out that the keyboard, allegedly due for Christmas 2007, was to hit for a whopping $1490, the keyboard instantly fell from its pedestal of greatness to a more lowly position somewhere far beyond the scope of even hardcore tech enthusiasts. It was simply too hard to believe; some speculated that the first price was just a rumor and not confirmed. To a certain extent, the naysayers were right, as it seems the keyboard is now even more expensive and more limited than was originally imagined.
The Optimus keyboard has now been confirmed for release this November at a cost of $1536. Only 200 units will be produced through the end of this year, with 400 more due out in January. It is uncertain whether production will continue after that point. Needless to say, the price-point and limited quantities have taken this artistic derivation from the realm of the desirable to the realm of the ridiculous. As beautiful as this keyboard is, $1536 is simply an order of magnitude greater than what I, and I assume many others, would be willing to pay. So, dear Optimus, object of my affection for so long, I bid you adieu. May you rest in peace. I'll be sure to pick up your descendant once Logitech pumps it out for a much more modest price.