- Each key is a stand-alone display that shows the function currently assigned to it.
- Optimus's customizable layout allows convenient use of any language - Cyrillic, Ancient Greek, Georgian, Arabic, Quenya, hiragana, etc
- PC with installed OS Windows XP, Vista or 7, with a USB 1.1 (or better 2.0) port; Mac OS X 10.5.1 or higher.
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Product Description
Optimus Maximus in full configuration has a screen in each key that displays the function currently assigned to it. Optimus Maximus's customizable layout allows convenient use of any language-Cyrillic languages, Ancient Greek, Georgian, Arabic, Quenya, hiragana, etc.-as well as of any other character sets: notes, numerals, special symbols, HTML codes, math functions and so on to infinity.
Any key (or to be exact, a unit consisting of a clear moving cap, a microchip and a display) can be easily removed by hands to be cleaned or replaced.
Optimus Configurator software enables users to program each button to reproduce a sequence of symbols and edit images separately for each layout.
Any key (or to be exact, a unit consisting of a clear moving cap, a microchip and a display) can be easily removed by hands to be cleaned or replaced.
Optimus Configurator software enables users to program each button to reproduce a sequence of symbols and edit images separately for each layout.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
32 of 36 people found the following review helpful
I bought this keyboard after seeing it on an episode of Tekzilla. The price is very high for a keyboard that doesn't have alot of news about it but to me it was worth every cent. I use the keyboard for work. I was able to program a custom layout myself very easly. I added macro strings to speed up the process of captioning photos. I also was able to change the functions of the number keypad of the keyboard. I changed the + into a tab and the - into a space bar the / into ' for the foot mark and so on. It increased my productivity so much that it paid for it's self in less than a month. I have had this keyboard for over 6 months and use it 9 hours a day 5 days a week and I have had no probiblems with it. It did take some getting use to sence the keys are alot bigger than a standard keyboard. And the keys feel differant also. It took only a few days to get use to the new keyboard. I am going to get another for my home office and to use as a backup for my work keyboard in case I ever do run into a probiblem with this board. I have became dependant on the board so much I'd hate to think what it would be like with out it.
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Unlike some other reviewers, I actually own this (and I am typing this review on it). It is a very, very cool and unique piece of technology. Yes, it is expensive. However, a $5 watch tells the time as well as a $10000 Rolex. That's not why you buy a Rolex. It is, without exception, the coolest piece of tech I own (and yes, I own a lot).
it doesn't get 5 stars because the firmware upgrade process can be flaky. I've learned to leave well alone.
I spend 5 times as much time on my keyboard as I do in my car. It's my primary interface with how I earn my living. If I want to splurge on this, I think I'm entitled.
it doesn't get 5 stars because the firmware upgrade process can be flaky. I've learned to leave well alone.
I spend 5 times as much time on my keyboard as I do in my car. It's my primary interface with how I earn my living. If I want to splurge on this, I think I'm entitled.
2 of 11 people found the following review helpful
It's hard to imagine how James and realmarshall liked this keyboard. They certainly had to relearn typing due to a non-standard size, had to somehow learn to deal with repeatedly mistyping due to undersized key separation, and had to constantly struggle through mushy key presses with a tough, sticky feel. One can only assume they've never used a good keyboard to know what how one should work.
For example, Digital Trends said this keyboard "falls apart when it's time to get to work. Sadly, as cool as it looks, the Optimus Maximus turns out to be a terrible device for typing. The Optimus Maximus isn't much more than a novelty and an expensive one at that."
And then, Engadget said, "Typing on it, well, sucks. 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. 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. Carpal sufferers, beware."
Finally, Gizmo says "There's no way you're buying this $1500 keyboard for typing. No, if you do a lot of typing, you want to have two keyboards." And, MyInsideGamer says "[The price] makes it ludicrous for me to even consider buying one."
The truth is German Cherry Browns are the most preferred key mechanisms and there are several good keyboards under $160 that use the Cherry Browns: the S Professional Silent Keyboard (my personal favorite), the Filco Majestouch-2 Tactile Action, and the Razer BlackWidow Silent (a real bargin for only $80 at razerzone.com). Some good Cherry White (similar but firmer switches) based keyboards include the Elitekeyboards.com rare Leopold White or the Deckkeyboards.com Legend Tactile. I can only assume James and realmarshall have never tried any of these real keyboards for real typists.
It should be of no surprise if this review gets a few "Not Helpful" flags. These are clearly people who don't like to be confronted with the facts. But, don't be fooled by them. As Digital Trends says, This is "an awful lot of money to impress your friends with a barely functional keyboard." As realmarshall points out, it's the same reason someone would buy a Rolex.
For example, Digital Trends said this keyboard "falls apart when it's time to get to work. Sadly, as cool as it looks, the Optimus Maximus turns out to be a terrible device for typing. The Optimus Maximus isn't much more than a novelty and an expensive one at that."
And then, Engadget said, "Typing on it, well, sucks. 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. 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. Carpal sufferers, beware."
Finally, Gizmo says "There's no way you're buying this $1500 keyboard for typing. No, if you do a lot of typing, you want to have two keyboards." And, MyInsideGamer says "[The price] makes it ludicrous for me to even consider buying one."
The truth is German Cherry Browns are the most preferred key mechanisms and there are several good keyboards under $160 that use the Cherry Browns: the S Professional Silent Keyboard (my personal favorite), the Filco Majestouch-2 Tactile Action, and the Razer BlackWidow Silent (a real bargin for only $80 at razerzone.com). Some good Cherry White (similar but firmer switches) based keyboards include the Elitekeyboards.com rare Leopold White or the Deckkeyboards.com Legend Tactile. I can only assume James and realmarshall have never tried any of these real keyboards for real typists.
It should be of no surprise if this review gets a few "Not Helpful" flags. These are clearly people who don't like to be confronted with the facts. But, don't be fooled by them. As Digital Trends says, This is "an awful lot of money to impress your friends with a barely functional keyboard." As realmarshall points out, it's the same reason someone would buy a Rolex.
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