Thursday, November 8, 2007

Most Expensive Keyboard

Close-up of HHKB Professional HP Japan

The most outrageous and crazy keyboard in human history.

US$5,000

tn_madkey1

How much good dough are you ready to burn for your PC keyboard?

Most computer geeks are pretty stingy. They refuse to spit out more than the miserable amount their grandmas had spent to buy a washboard 50 years ago. So when you hear some people are eagerly paying more than US$5,000 to buy a keyboard, you will shake your head and murmur: "Oh my, this world's gone mad"! I perfectly agree. Japan is a mad, mad country.

 

stealth-keys 

2000-IS-DT, 2000-IS-PM Stealth Computer $2,200.00

Going to war with your keyboard? Stealth Computer makes devices to reduce risk of failure in hazardous areas, the 2000-IS-DT & 2000-IS-PM come enclosed in non-corrosive stainless steel with an optical isolated barrier ensuring NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) 4X protection. What other keyboard has a temperature range of -40F to +194F (-40C to +90C)? Stealth makes many other expensive steel NEMA keyboards, but this one looks like the costliest. We’ll ignore the rest for the sake of making this article more interesting

 

optimax

world’s coolest keyboard

Optimus Maximus  $1,564.37.

Introducing the world’s coolest keyboard … that you cannot afford. The Moscow based design firm, Art Lebedev Studio, must have made a calculation mistake when they converted the price  $1,564.37. Regardless of the price, this keyboard will be a must-have gadget once its price comes down and it hits the mainstream market. The Optimus Maximus keyboard is essentially an infinitely customizable keyboard, since each key is its own OLED display, measuring 10×10 mm with a resolution of 48×48 pixels.

 

 

fingerworks 

TouchStream LP, Fingerworks $1500+
These mystical keyboards originally retailed for $340 but since FingerWorks has been bought out and no longer produces keyboards, TouchStream LPs in great condition have started selling at inflated prices to fanatics. You can look for yours on eBay if you don’t mind spending hundreds on used computer accessories.

 

maltron-dual 

Dual Handed Ergonomic 3D, Maltron

£375.00, £435.00

Get your Maltron keyboard in Qwerty, Maltron or Dvorak layouts! There are also US English, UK English, French, German, Norwegian/Norsk and Swedish versions available. The letter keys are angled inwards to match natural finger movements and the keys for the longer fingers are recessed. Getting a trackball on your crazy 3d keyboard will cost you an extra £65.

 

data-hand

Professional II, Datahand

$675.00

What if a keyboard could be adjusted to fit the size and shape of each person’s hands? We’ll you’d have a Datahand! The unique finger and thumb switches change the 4 different typing modes

.

 orbitouch41

Keyless Ergonomic Keyboard, orbiTouch

$399.00

The orbiTouch Keyless ergonomic Keyboard creates a keystroke when you slide the two domes into one of their eight respective positions. You type the different characters by sliding the domes to create letters and numbers. The orbiTouch Keyless ergonomic Keyboard also has an integrated mouse, so moving the domes gives you full mouse and keyboard capability

 

comfort-keyboard

Comfort Keyboard, Comfort Keyboard Systems

$349.00

The Comfort Keyboard is separated into three sections, which can be adjusted easily and locked into place. The Comfort Keyboard also features complete key reprogramming and a programmable “rest period indicator”, which reminds users to take a break?
  

wireless-8000

Wireless Entertainment Desktop 8000, Microsoft

$249

This media keyboard, otherwise known as the Ultimate Keyboard, due out in May features a magnetic dock with 4 USB ports. The ultra-thin ergonomic design was reportedly influenced by inspiration from details found in Cadillac and BMW interiors. An aluminum finish makes this keyboard quite attractive.

 

mainphoto5338 

Virutal Laser Keyboard  

$179.99

Need type something quick on the road, maybe a blog? Instead of struggling typing with those tiny QWERTY keyboard, how about a full size keyboard generated from a device the size of a cellphone?. It’s called the I-Tech Virutal Laser Keyboard. It’s infrared and laser to project an image of a keyboard onto a flat surface. The device is blue-tooth enabled; therefore it worked with laptops, PDA and cellphone that support blue-tooth. Here is the complete list of supported devices. In addition, it also create sound effects (clicking) and a smart time-out feature to conserve battery life.

From the company website: You can use the VKB (Virtual PC Keyboard) with both your laptop and PC or with a compatible mobile device, Smartphone and PDA. The I-Tech VKB reacts exactly like a real keyboard. Direction technology based on optical recognition enables the user to tap the images of the keys, complete with realistic tapping sounds(!), which feeds into the compatible PDA, Smartphone, laptop or PC.

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