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I Purchased an Optimus Maximus keyboard

The Optimus Maximus keyboard should be on its way in time for… Christmas 2027. Actually, I’ve been assured that it’ll ship out at some point in the next… decade. No matter, I’ve placed an order for what will likely be known as the most expensive keyboard in the history of the world.

“Why?!”

I keep asking myself the same question.

I’ve had to sell more than my fair share of extra gadgets around here (and believe you me, I have plenty more gizmos to go). So, it’s not like I’m spending that amount of money outright! They’re not sending it to me as a review unit, believe you me. Oh, and if anybody wants to buy any of my older tech crap (hardware, software, etc.), let me know. I’ll have to put together a “Keyboard Fund Shopping List” soon, eh?

Okay, even if you don’t wanna buy my stuff, there’s always Craigslist.

Yes, Ponzi knows what I’m doing. Yes, I’m crazy for doing it. Yes, I’m going to have the coolest keyboard on my block (if not city). Yes, I’ll show it off at every given opportunity. Yes, I’m hoping it’ll be nicer than my aluminum keyboard. Yes, I’m hoping that it’ll last forever (but I’m not holding my breath). Yes, I’ll be keeping everybody posted with progress reports and updates from Artlebedev.com. Yes, I’ll take photos. Yes, I’ll use it on my live video stream. Yes, I really need to sell old software and hardware (legitimately purchased) to help cover the costs for this keyboard.

Yes, I can’t wait.

25 Comments

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Wow! I am very much looking forward to seeing that in action! :)

Gadgetalicious!! Pure techpron!!

Doesn’t Radio Shack own the Optimus name?

They’ll no doubt release an Optimus Prime keyboard right after you take delivery of your Optimus Maximus.

I am exceedingly jealous and can’t wait to see it in action!

Each key is a display? I had to check and double check whether their site was a prank or for real. But they took your money, eh?

Still I was struck that you were glad (and proud) to spend a chunk of change on a keyboard, but when it comes to software you’re not so sure… See http://www.salas.com/2007/05/3.....part-deux/ for more…

Depending on what you have, I may be interested in some second-hand tech.

When you get your list of gadgets, software and hardware together I’ll be interested in Audio and Video related items.

dude i totally read “optimus prime” keyboard first and thought….I HAVE TO HAVE ONE.

Practical…well, probably not. But, I always wanted to have a keyboard that was worth more than all the electronics in my office combined. Too slick for words.

posts really caught my eye because I think they reflect the popular bias against software. That is, people are glad to pay a lot for hardware gadgets at the same time as they feel really unhappy about paying even a pittance for software. Today, in “I Purchased an Optimus Maximums keyboard”, Chris says: ‘No matter, I’ve placed an order for what will likely be known as the most expensive keyboard in the history of the world. “Why?!” I keep asking myself the same question.’ (from the Chris Pirillo Blog

That’s quite an investment Chris, but it won’t be one you regret. That keyboard looks amazing (other than its price tag).

I’d be interested in possibly purchasing your current aluminium keyboard.

Woop…tee…doo…

A keyboard is a keyboard Chris. Save your money.
Re-read your own post about Money.

Chris
did you find the load that I put in Ponzi’s ass yet?

charles: LOL!

But oh well. I know the feeling. Congrats on your latest purchase, and let this be it until the next millenium. ;-D

(that means no new computer - even that pentium 5,000 with 100,000,000 gigs of RAM! I know you’ve had your eye on that but sorry. ;) )

And, to think that I prefer to use IBM keyboards, from the 80’s, on computers from the 90’s, running Mepis 6.5, PCLinuxOS, FreeBSD, … (all the latest)…

Hey, my cellphone cam works fine in Linux and BSD. But, I am vintage 40’s…

I’d like to see a list of items you have for sale.
thanks!

Maxumus Stupido!

Randy Phillips

June 1st, 2007
at 11:28am

You’re going to hate typing on it - the keys are not keys, they’re buttons - there is nothing ergonomic about this keyboard at all. It’s all flash.

Optimus Maximus is Latin for “Best and Greatest”, and I’m not disputing it.

DON’T SPILL ANY COFFEE ON IT!

I know I’m late to the party with commenting, but I just read this. Sounds great, Chris. I want one, but won’t be able to afford them until they drop under $100 - probably around 2015? Anyway, someone needs to develop software for these to update each key’s display so you can play a movie on your keyboard. It’s already widescreen, and who needs to know what each key actually is?

Hey Chris ~
I’d love to see the keyboard in action. Granted that its USD$1500+ price tag is steep, maybe it can make me more productive (maybe not as I’ll probably just be playing with it the whole time).

Re second hand stuff - would you be selling your clock lights? whatever they’re called. It’ll keep me company while I’m teaching at midnight because its during the day in Asia. Looking forward to the gadget list.

The thing looks positively gorgeous. It’s a wonderful idea, too lateral for the Japanese to dream up so it fell to a Russian genius ;-) But on a student budget £750 is far too much, so I’ll carry on drooling over the website, reading the reviews and aspiring to buy the mini-3 they already offer.

I too have one of the first batch on order. I look at this like Superbowl tickets. You can’t really justify paying thousands of dollars to:

Sit in crummy seats
Watch what is generally a 1-sided game
instead of watching for free at home

This keyboard at least will be cool to play with for a few days and likely have a decent resale on ebay when I get bored. And, if it really takes off you might be able to sell it for a profit. With a global limit of maybe 400 before Christmas (maybe only 200) supply may not meet demand.

So, does this thing even exist yet? Two cancelled orders does not bode well for this device.

Fort

It exists…I have one, but I have yet to be able to customize it. The customization software is lame and there is no documentation available anywhere (none came in the box and there is none on the website). Support is non-existent. I’ve hooked this thing up to every os imaginable (Vista, XP, MacOSX, Leapord, and Linux) all to no avail. So far, it’s just a really expensive keyboard that does nothing more than the $2.00 that came with my desktop.

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