Digital Trends

Optimus Maximus August 13th, 2008 | by Nick Mokey

Software

The included Optimus Maximus Configurator software makes modest customization relatively simple, but definitely requires users to read the documentation and fiddle with the software to perform some of the more advanced features. For instance, changing a key image is as easy as browsing for an image file on your hard drive and – voila – it’s on the keyboard in front of you. However, making a custom back key that only appears when Firefox is open and disappears in other situations takes a bit more work, and an understanding of the software’s layered approach to keys (in which the top levels have priority).

While the Configurator manual is helpful, it’s also extremely short (only three pages,) so you’ll have to read between the lines and do your own experimenting to get precisely the right results. In short, those with dramatic aspirations for the way they use the Maximus had better be prepared to do some work.

Configurator Screenshot

Typing

It seems oddly appropriate that a device with a name that sounds derived from mythology should have an Achilles Heel, and the Optimus Maximus is plagued by quite a pronounced one. It’s an absolute bear to type on.

A combination of factors contribute to this fatal flaw. First, the physical size of the keys. They’re as disproportionately huge as the keyboard itself, making them perfect for Shrek but much less appropriate for anyone who learned to type on a standard, human-size keyboard.

Second, the layout leaves almost zero gap between keys, making it far too easy to press two at once, or the wrong key entirely. Traditional keys start wide at their bases and narrow toward the top where the finger touches, producing pronounced crevasses between keys. The Maximus’ keys are completely slab-like, and while it’s definitely an aesthetic necessity, it detracts significantly from accuracy.

Finally, key presses have a tough, sticky feel. The light, crisp tactile feedback that makes popular keyboards like those on ThinkPad notebooks feel so good is completely absent, replaced by keys that feel like they’re sitting on wads of hard gum.

Make no mistake, the Maximus works as a typing device. This entire review was written with it. But novice and even experienced typists alike will find it a major barrier to speed and accuracy. When it comes time for typing, you’ll almost certainly find yourself wishing for that crusty old IBM back.

The front of the Optimus Maximus keyboard

Durability

When a keyboard comes packaged with spare keys, you know you’re in for some headaches. Our Maximus had intermittent issues with the E key that we were unable to resolve even by plucking it out and putting on a fresh key, but it worked for the majority of the time. We weren’t able to put the Maximus through a long-term torture test, but the manual’s warnings about burn-in on the keys, bent contact pins and distorted images made us very skeptical of its long-term viability. And of course, the relatively common spilled beverage scenario would almost certainly be game over.

Conclusion

It’s hard to knock a device we wanted to like so badly based on its premise, but there’s no escaping that the Optimus Maximus makes a pretty dismal typing device. As a piece of art and a technological achievement, it certainly deserves credit, but for typing papers, programming, or even just IMing friends, the Optimus Maximus is a complete dud. And with a going price of $1,877.43 USD, “all show and no go” just doesn’t cut it.

Pros:

• Completely unique
• Powerful options for customizing
• OLED displays are stunning in the right conditions

Cons: 

• Price
• Extremely poor for typing
• Questionable long-term reliability