Optimus 103 Keyboard a huge letdown
 

Years ago, a member on GFF showed off a website regarding the Optimus 103 keyboard, a keyboard based solely on not printed letters on keys, but rather the ingenious concept of tiny colour LCD screens on each key. At a projected cost of around $250, the keyboard was pricey, but reasonable considering the technology.

Years later, after closely following the progress of the development of the keyboard, the Optimus falls flat on its face. According to a recent enGadget article, the keyboard will not only be in monochrome, but also will kill the shortcut keys, and reduce LCD screen size on each key. Now that we're left with a shattered remains of what was a revolutionary concept, we have only to see the utter failure of the device when it is released.

The original keyboard was to look like this, complete with customizable keys:
http://www.artlebedev.com/everything...s/keyb_001.jpg

Now it's probable to look like this:
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...monoptimus.jpg
^ Oh yeah, and those keys aren't going to even be in the final product.

Damn! I've been eyeing that thing for so long. Being the nerd that I am, I'll still probably buy one, but it would be nice to see it get another shot (or to see another group take on the challenge).

EDIT: I've just noticed that a 113 version (with colour) is still in development. Well, I guess we can wait.

That is true. It is still in development, but it's a damned dissapointment, seeing how long it is taking even a b/w version to come out.

It certainly is a cool gadget, but for everyday keyboarding, I'd rather have an IBM Model M if I could afford 80 bucks for just a keyboard.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model_M_Keyboard

There's a company still making them to the original design. They are built like tanks, and will take any punishment you throw at them. I've used them in the workplace before, but never actually had one at home. I can even type faster on this design of keyboard than I can on most.

$1,200 for a keyboard, that is asking a bit too much.

Maybe we'll get a decently sized computer company (ie. Logitech) to go after the project, and hopefully give us a semi-reasonable price.

I'd really like them to make a keyboard of that design without the LCD keys. It is still one of the better designed keyboards I've seen.

Agreed, they match well to Lian Li cases, which initially had me really wanting one... But they're really shooting themselves in the foot with this pricetag.

I was the one who first mentioned this keyboard years ago, and now I am the one who'll have to bring you the bad news. This keyboard has been cancelled indefinitely until such time as it can be produced with colour keys at a more reasonable price.

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/2006/1...ptimus_103_bw/

Oh well.