16 Cool Computer Keyboards

The transition of computers has been radical, from machines that used to fill complete rooms to the netbooks that fit in the pocket. This is equally mirrored in evolution of the primary data input device, the keyboard. The successor of the type writer has taken customization and radical designing to new heights.

But the conventional keyboard with 105 keys has moved aside to make way for a diverse set of keyboards some of which even has no keys! The coolest of the boards, some with added-on feature oriented keys; dynamically programmable keys; and even keyboard that are laser projections with no material board.

Here is a list of unusual yet supercool keyboards.

1. Wolf King Warrior XXtreme

When gaming has taken over the computer world, the specially designed, The Wolf King Warrior takes the center stage. With lighted keys and and flexible 3-layer silicon membrane enables gaming in the dark, extremely quite. Minimal change in hand position allows the gamer to reach all the FPS and RPG gaming keys and type with one hand. The audio keys and the ‘K Lock’ feature enables constant communication.

2. The Ergo Keyboard from Nicolas Tavlas

When comfort and ergonomics takes the center stage Nicolas Tavlas with this correctly names Ergo Keyboard. An incline of 25 degrees on either side of the keyboard enables the hands to be in the most possible neutral position. It has the familiar layout, but reduces the twisting of the wrist and has more keys grouped on the left side, enabling constant movement of the right hand between the keyboard and the mouse.

3. orbiTouch Keyless Ergonomic Keyboard

With an integrated mouse, this radical design is something that needs a little getting used to. No wonder it comes with a typing tutor! The orbitouch creates a keystroke when you slide the two domes into one of their eight respective positions. A user types the different characters by sliding the domes to create letters and numbers. It removes the barrier between the keyoard and the mouse, integrating both of them into a single product.

4. Virtual Laser Keyboard

The LASER technology, projecting a full sized keyboard onto any flat surface is the new revolutionary accessory to go with Black Berry’s, PDA’s MAC’s and Tablet PC’s. It can be connected to the computer using USB dongle. With a leather case to carry it around, the Virtual Laser Keyboard can be carried around in the pocket!

5. Ergonomic Steampunk Keyboard

The odd looking, yet perfect tool for typing is a modified M-15 Split Ergonomic keyboard from IBM, modified by datamancer. The typing plane is tipped to the front and the keyboard has a built in touchpad mouse for easy navigation.

6. Amex Digital Touch-Screen Wireless Keyboard

The Touch Sense Windows Vista Keyboard with dedicated Media center keys boast about being the most advanced touch keyboard with ultimate feel and response. The Amex Digital keyboard is an ideal accessory for any high end computer with 2.4G RF technology that lets you go wirefree withing 30 feet.

7. Handwriting Recognition Keyboard

With a highly sensitive Handwriting recognition system which doubles up as a mouse, the A1Pro Keyboard is a highly capable tool for digitizing your handwriting.It has an ultra thin design and is a fashionable USB connected accessory.

8. The Frog Pad

The unique keyboard is optimized with a full size set of 20 most frequently used keys. It sets a new standard in information access with superior portability and ergonomics, global adaptability, rapid learning and ease of use. The keyboard which can be easily used in Left hand mode or Right Hand mode is easily customizable, and can be set to any international language.

9. Customizabe Keyboard

The DX1 System, with each keys available for customization is for all those people who want a change from the QWERTY key distribution. Configurable according to the needs, the DX1 can be tuned for photoshop, gaming, spftwares and preferances with property settings for each key.

10. Maltron 3D Ergonomics Keyboard

The Maltron 3D fits the length and reach of your hand and finger lengths to reduce movement and tension and prevents the twisting of the wrist with its split design. It has a center number cluster which can be easily operated by either hand.

11. Roll Up Keyboard

Featuring the standard QWERTY layout, the keyboard comes with a twist. It is the most portable full keyboard to date; roll it up and pack it away!

A great tool for laptop users who miss their full-sized Keyboard when on the road, or LAN party warriors looking to lighten their load.

12. Optimus Maximus

With a total of 113 completely customisable keys the Optimus Maximus has infinite possibilities and configurability. With each key being a stand alone display, it can be configured to any language, or be assigned to custom functionalities. Each key can be configured to access web sites, custom HTML functions, notes, numerals or special symbols. Images can be added to the keys so that they can be easily recgnized later.

13. Logitech diNovo Edge

The diNovo Edge has been Laser cut from a single, semi-translucent piece of black Plexiglas and set into a brushed-aluminum frame.

With a touch sensitive volume control and The TouchDis navigation which enables the cursor movement corresponding to the movement of the finger on the disc. The PerfectStroke™ key system , which enables seamless typing and makes no sound no matter ow hard or fast you type. . The LogiTech diNovo is rechargeable and a two hour charge yields up to two months of battery life.

14. Logitech G19 Gaming Keyboard

Sophistication reaches new levels with the Logitech G19 Gaming Keyboard. 2 USB ports allow data transfer to and from peripherals at un precedented speeds. Upto 5 keys to be simultaneously pressed, thereby allowing execution of multi-key complex moves. The G19 Keyboard has Tiltable, 320 x 240 px, color GamePanel LCD which shows “unprecedented levels of information—both in- and out-of-game—including game stats, system information, VOIP communication data, video playback, image slideshows, and many other items.” User-se;lectable back lights allows playing in the dark.

15. Tipro Custom Assembled Keyboard

The Highly Flexible and fully customisable Tipro Keyboard with Rugged plastic housing has optional pointing, reading and control modules. The keyboard has User definable input data control which makes it a best solution for a user’s particular needs. Superior mechanical long travel keyswitches and metal carrying plate and secure cabling make it rugged and highly reliable. The Tipro Custom Keyboard is Assembled by Unique Micro Designs.

16. Optimus Tactus

When a display monitor masquerades as a keyboard, comes Optimus Tactus. Programmable to display keys in any shape size or numbers, the Optimus Tactus can also display pictures or play videos.

ClickFree Transformer Backs Up Your Data Easily

Clickfree has just introduced its new Transformer Cable, which is “the first and only USB cable that turns ordinary external hard drives into truly automatic Clickfree backup solutions.” Put simply, users just connect their USB HDD to their PC via this here cable, and without any software installations or black magic, the external drive automatically begins to search through, organize and backup your data. The painfully simple cord should be available right now for the mildly reasonable price of $59.99; full release is after the break.

MCE ships Mac Pro Blu-ray burner with 8x speeds

MCE has really outdone themselves this time. Their latest offering is the Mac Pro Blu-ray Burner, but it’s not the same as their first internal Blu-ray burner for the Mac Pro. This time around, it has even faster read/write speeds.

The first edition cost $699, but you can expect to only shell out $429 for this latest version. It has an 8X Blu-ray read/write drive and a 16X DVD±R/W. Compatibility is good as well, with great functionality with several software packages including Final Cut Pro, Roxio Toast 10 Pro and Adobe Premier Pro.

To play studio Blu-ray discs on the Mac-Pro, you’ll have to dual boot Windows. Or, you could just sit around until the Mac is equipped with the ability to playback Blu-ray. It’s your choice.

LED Message Display USB Mouse

Known as the LED Message Mouse (very inventive) the device is, a wholly rudimentary device in offering a bog standard 800pdi optical tracking but, to its credit (or not) it’s the first mouse we’ve come across to date that comes bundled with its own remote – which is used to input your message (up to 12 characters). Having input your message, you can then sit back and watch as it’s animated before you whilst rotating, fading in and out and, well, you get the picture.

On and above the integrated LED display, you can also factor in the mouse’s comfort fans that blow air through a series of holes framing the circular LED display window, thus ensuring that your palm stays sweat free as you hold the mouse in an attempt to cover the bright animated display on account of it giving you a migraine. Very thoughtful.

The supremely tacky LED Message Mouse retails in Japan for the equivalent of around $21.

WD My Book family External Hard Drives

Western Digital, the world’s leader in external storage solutions, today expanded its My Book family of external hard drives to include a 2 TB capacity, the largest available capacity in a single-drive system. With its wide variety of models, WD offers a solution for every type of user, whether they’re a creative power user on a Mac or a home user on a PC. The new 2 TB My Book family includes: My Book Studio Edition, My Book Mac Edition, My Book Home Edition and My Book Essential Edition models.

The entire family of My Book external hard drives features:

• New 2 TB capacities allowing users to store and backup all their data in one central location;
• Elegant, small footprint design;
• Capacity gauge to see at a glance how much capacity is available on the drive (not available on the My Book Essential Edition drive);
• Environmentally friendly design that saves power by going into standby mode after 10 minutes of inactivity;
• SmartPower features that turns the drive on and off with the computer and Safe Shutdown that prevents the drive from being powered down until all the data has been written2;
• Kensington Security Slot that allows users to secure drive to their desk with the separate purchase of a Kensington lock kit; and,
• 1-year limited warranty.

My Book Mac Edition 2 TB external drives will be available next month. Estimated pricing ranges from $329.99 USD to $379.99 USD, depending on drive model and capacity.

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