Thinkpads Forum

http://www.artlebedev.com/portfolio/optimus/

Imagine the possibilities!!!!

Watch the cost rocket up, without much benefit.

Really, I don't see the point.

Besides, with all of the wiring to the keys, that might actually hurt the feel of the keyboard.

I'll stick with the normal QWERTY ThinkPad keyboard for my ThinkPads, and a good ol' Model M for my desktops.

Looks like a pretty neat keyboard to me. I want.

Looks like this doesn't even exist (although it is freakin sweet) the page appears to be some kind of industrial designers concept info.

Edit: Also I just though, how the heck do you backlight something like this, a led for every key, or one big grid in the back?

-kaplanfx

If it would be produced, it'd be an OLED - no backlight necessary. An LCD filters light (black is when it blocks the back light entirely, white is when it's not blocking any light), an OLED emits light (black is when it isn't emitting any light, white is when it's emitting as much light as it can).

Of course, e-ink would make more sense - much less power consumption, much less cost, and no need for lighting of any kind (either backlight or it to emit light - it looks like paper).

It would be okay for some of the function keys.

I wouldn't want one because its the opposite of object oriented computing.

If you really want buttons that change function get a touchscreen type PocketPc.

I can only imagine how [censored] I'd be if i spilled something on that keyboard.

Once we get to printing OLEDs something like this could cost no more than a regular keyboard. For now I bet it's going to be insanely expensive, but it's a really cool idea. If it were <$100 and actually worked and the software wasn't a resource hog I'd be so tempted to get one although it wouldn't be of much practical use to me.

I'd like one of them keyboards myself just because it's cool but I wouldn't pay an arm and leg for one. I wonder though, if those things ever do hit public shelves, how much longer it will be until prank key rearrangement programs are made and how much longer after that that hackers find one more thing to have fun with.

saw the story on http://digg.com/

while i admit it would be cool, id rather just have it for a desktop first. on a notebook would just be too expensive right now.


edit: can you actually buy one of those, or are those just prototype pictures?

Pretty cool. The possibilities are unlimited for specialized programs. Such a keyboard back in my college days would have been a blessing for programs like AutoCad & Maple Math!

eric530 wrote:... if i spilled something on that keyboard.

It could immediately indicate which keys don't work any more, tho'. Imagine a little 'water drop' icon ...

scnr,
-- fish

We'd even fight for an option to turn off the OLEDs save battery power. Now THAT would be a l33t keyboard (and laptop, of course). =)

roast wrote:We'd even fight for an option to turn off the OLEDs save battery power. Now THAT would be a l33t keyboard (and laptop, of course). =)

why bother, why not use this stuff: http://www.overclockersclub.com/?read=2136713 that way there is no additional power drain except when the key switch, it would be very, very low power consumption unless you were going to be changing the keys a lot. It has the added benefit of being bendable so you can put it right on the surface of the keys and still allow them to have a concave or convex shape.

-kaplanfx

kaplanfx wrote:

roast wrote:We'd even fight for an option to turn off the OLEDs save battery power. Now THAT would be a l33t keyboard (and laptop, of course). =)

why bother, why not use this stuff: http://www.overclockersclub.com/?read=2136713 that way there is no additional power drain except when the key switch, it would be very, very low power consumption unless you were going to be changing the keys a lot. It has the added benefit of being bendable so you can put it right on the surface of the keys and still allow them to have a concave or convex shape.

-kaplanfx

bhtooefr wrote:Of course, e-ink would make more sense - much less power consumption, much less cost, and no need for lighting of any kind (either backlight or it to emit light - it looks like paper).

Too late, kaplanfx

Granted, I wasn't actually thinking of color, due to cost, but that'd work too...

yeah yeah I realize, I was just citing a specific example becuase I happened across that article today.

-kaplanfx

Theory 1 - the KISS theory. Keep It Simple and Stupid.

Imagine the upkeep. One key goes bad. Spilling a can of coke on it. Cost. Not child friendly (just look at the keys that get ripped of a demo keyboard).

Laser Holographic keyboards seem like a better idea. More durable - less weight.