InventorSpot

Being a technology and gadgets aficionado, I enjoy customizing and tweaking various components in/on/for my computer to make my experience as streamlined and enjoyable as possible. A great keyboard has always been a large portion of that. Now, the Optimus Maximus Keyboard , from Art Lebedev Studio, promises a keyboard customization experience unlike any other.

The Optimus Maximus Keyboard

Each key on the Maximus keyboard is its own small display screen capable of showing full color images. The Maximus comes with its own customization and control software that allows the user to program each button's function and set a picture or icon for its graphic representation. The implications here enormous! The keyboard can be reconfigured for any language that the operating system supports, including advanced math functions, HTML code, and special symbol sets.

Currently, only Mac and Windows platforms are supported due to the company's desire to "...let 95% of people to work with the keyboard." They hint at the potential for Linux support sometime in the future. The keyboard is powered by an external AC adapter, has an internal USB 2.0 hub that allows the user to connect two more high speed USB 2.0 devices, and has an SD card slot. The company reports that keyboard layouts will be stored on an SD Card rather than accessed via USB connection to the computer to allow for faster switching between layouts. The device will ship with a 32mb SD card but the company hints that a larger one will be required for more advanced layouts. While the Maximus won't be able to withstand a direct hit by a spilled beverage, each of its key covers are individually replaceable to allow for cleaning or vacuuming below the keys.

All this comes at a price, however as the company lists the Optimus Maximus for around $460. (Buy here .)