1. Maltron, ￥3900
Keyboards, mouses, and other computer peripheral equipments of today have been changing from practicality over to conceptuality. Manufacturers rack their brains to develop products out of ingenuity not only in function and performance but also in appearance, hence proving their outstanding research and production capacity as well as promoting the brand image. I’ll introduce several singularly unique but at the same time extremely exorbitant keyboards here for readers’ comments and enjoyment.
A keyboard priced at more than US$490 (approx. ￥3900) appeared on the market. Named Maltron, it is claimed to be the most ergonomic keyboard ever in history, making use of users’ ten fingers most effectively while fully assuring their health. The manufacturer promises a long-time text input at an unprecedented speed without obvious tiredness once the user has adapted to the special layout of the keyboard.
The design of this keyboard was based on this fact: the different lengths of human fingers make them unable to keep to the same plane comfortably while working on a keyboard, which is the main reason why users find the traditional keyboards very uncomfortable. Maltron keyboards have designed fire-new key layout to assure that every finger should be comfortably laid on the keyboard. Moreover, every key on this keyboard is a MX Switch mechanical key, which has long durability as the biggest advantage and feels constantly wonderful after long-time use. This keyboard has been on the market in America, but it remains to be seen how many consumers will be tempted by this peculiar sculpt and excessive price will.
2.Logitech multi-functional wireless Bluetooth keyboard diNovo Edge, ￥1799
On 9th August, Logitech put its first multi-functional Bluetooth keyboard diNovo Edge onto the Chinese market. Apart from the traditional diNovo multimedia functions, a recharging stand that was only seen on Logitech’s high-end mouses are also introduced into this model, making it the first rechargeable keyboard. This high-end keyboard of Logitech has entered Chinese market since August at a price of ￥1799, intended for high-end businessmen and fashionable home users.
Logitech diNovo Edge keyboard integrates many high-tech elements of fashionably luxurious appearance, pleasant tactility, and multimedia functions and is fit for both home entertainment and business application. It will surely make a perfect addition to the living room, where an increasing number of people are using their computers. The ultra-slim design of less than 2cm, the keycaps laser-cut out of a whole piece of translucent acrylic glass, and the metal-coated frame combine to create an air of prestige and luxury.
With regard to multimedia control, this first-rate multimedia keyboard of Logitech carries a TouchDisc panel which combines such mouse functions as horizontal and vertical scroll, selection, and cursor control. Just a light touch on the raised marks on the upper and right parts of the Disc launches the operation of high-speed scroll, which makes document and webpage navigation easier.
A touch-sensitive volume slider above the TouchDisc enables one to adjust the computer’s volume with the sliding of his fingertips, which volume control method is often seen on some high-end laptops. The Fn keys of a laptop keyboard, which can function as shortcut keys, are also seen on this model.
Most of the Logitech high-end wireless mouses are equipped with a recharging stand. So is this model of Logitech wireless Bluetooth keyboard. It has a fashionable and fabulous appearance and facilitated with the plug-and-play feature. Its Bluetooth 2.0 wireless technology allows a range up to ten meters and makes it more suitable for sitting room and conference room use.
3. 3D laser virtual keyboard CL850, ￥1200
A 3D laser virtual keyboard, CL850 will appear in South Korea early September. The laser control of this keyboard will be performed by a portable 3D enabled device. It is embedded with the Bluetooth technology and equipped with USB interfaces to be connected with mobile terminals. It’s expected to be sold for 150,000 won (approx. ￥1,218.13).
The size of a lighter, the 3D laser virtual keyboard is designed for such small hand-held devices as Bluetooth cellphones and Bluetooth enabled PDAs. Embedded with both laser and infrared respectively for detecting the position of the user and for projecting the virtual keyboard, it sends out two beams of light projecting on any flat surface a 63-key full-size virtual keyboard of 295×95mm to be used as a common keyboard. When the user is hitting on the 3D laser virtual keyboard, it will automatically locate the hit spot and transmit the information through Bluetooth to the cellphones or PDAs. It provides thus a more convenient and faster text input process. It is also internally installed with rechargeable lithium cells so that it won’t consume the battery power of the cellphones or PDAs. But an uptime of over two hours on one charge is a little bit short.
In fact, virtual keyboards have existed for some time, but there are few of them available in the market and if there are any, they are mostly sold online. Though the 3D laser virtual keyboard Cl850 will soon make its appearance in South Korean market, how many users will be lured? It’s believed that most consumers have reservations about the new product and its actual transmission capability has to undergo the test of time after its debut.
4. Cherry “Brown Axis” key switches model, ￥1200
Translated into English as “Cherry”, this brand has won constant recognition from players in the field of peripherals. As one of the world’s top professional keyboard manufacturers, Cherry specializes in computer peripheral keyboards and keyswitches. Part of its products come from German and part from Czech. The brown switch is the most expensive among the four types of Cherry switches.
The “brown axis” key switch model is the most expensive of Cherry keyboards. With light operating force and obvious punctuation, it gives wonderful typing feel.
Editor’s commentary: the users of Cherry mechanical keyboards may rest assured of its constant tying feel provided by the selected materials and superb workmanship. Another important feature of Cherry mechanical keyboards is long service life. But this “brown axis” key switch model is no exception to the Cherry high-end pricing: it’s sold at ￥1200.
5. Stealthcomputer 2000-DT-TB model, ￥9000
The newly unveiled Stealthcomputer 2000-DT-TB model is available with PS/2 cables or USB connectors and sold at $1195 (approx. ￥9000). Putting aside the question whether there would be anyone attracted by it at such a price, let’s have a look at some of the features of this keyboard.
The Stealthcomputer 2000-DT-TB model features 114-key functionality, including 24 function keys and a 10-key number pad. It is constructed using quality stainless steel case and industrial silicone rubber pad, ensuring NEMA 4X protection.
A unique feature of the 2000-DT-TB is the trackball beside the number pad. The removable ball can be turned to perform the function of a mouse and removed for convenient cleaning.
The 2000-DT-TB is built with a programmable button, with which the users can edit various functions.
The working temperature range for the keyboard is -40℃-90℃. It has a 10 million cycles expected life. The dimensions of the keyboard are 514.35mm*200.7mm*48.3mm, the length of the data line is 3.94 metres.
6. Art Lebedev Optimus, ￥9000
Words are that this keyboard will be sold for about US$1200 (approx. ￥9000). Most people may be daunted by this price, but, according to the designers, this is sold at a sacrifice.
The Art Lebedev Studio introduced that the Optimus keyboard has 103 keys, each made at a cost of US$10 and thus the mere cost of the keyboard up to US1030. If other expenses are taken into account, a price of US$1200 is far from making up the cost. From what was said by the designers, we can easily understand why the launch of this model of keyboard was kept postponed.
· programmable shortcut keys, displaying various images in accordance with different programs
· photoshop and Quake users can edit their own shortcut keys according to their habits
The Art Lebedev Studio announces a plan to invest US$100,000 in the screens on the keycaps and hopes the next spring will see some samples. The further development of the keyboard is also underway. The designers plan to integrate light sensors in the keys so that the screens might adjust its brightness automatically in accordance with the environment.
Editor’s commentary: To be sure, this model is sheerly for those afflicted with the keyboard fever. Totally out of the utility range, it’s a top-notch luxury. The price of US$1200 (approx. ￥9000) is indeed eye-catching but not at all practical
7. wooden keyboards for 20000 Yuan
Made out of rosewood and purely handmade, the noble keyboard sells at a price of 262500 yens in Japan (approx. ￥19900). That is not even seen in keyboards bearing such big names like Logitech or Microsoft.
You may well marvel over the craftsmanship of a wooden keyboards and you are also at liberty accusing its exorbitance. This model in question is sold at 262500 yen and that approximates 19950 RMB. Quaint and enchanting as they may be, a wooden keyboard is after all a luxury and I personally consider its ornamental value far over its utility value.
At the end: the above models of keyboards are all from foreign peripheral brands. Many of these high-end models are sold at astoundingly high prices and can well be labeled as luxuries. Despite the exorbitant prices, they have innumerable hardcore fans and some products like Logitech multi-functional wireless Bluetooth keyboard diNovo Edge, whose prices are also only fit for those feverish peripheral fans and luxury collectors, have been procured by some players here in China.