Archive for Computer Components

Mac and Linux keycaps come to Das Keyboard

Posted in Keyboards by Shane McGlaun on July 16th, 2009

daskeyboard-sbThe Das Keyboard has been around for a while. The first time we saw it the keyboard was all black and had no letters or other symbols on it. That meant that the average geek who needed to see the keys and symbols the Das Keyboard wasn’t an option.

Not too long after it debuted, a new version of the Das Keyboard with letters and symbols on it was introduced. The company who makes the Das Keyboard announced today that Mac and Linux specific keycaps were now available for the Das Keyboard.

The Brand Keyboard, brought to you by…everyone

Posted in Keyboards by Conner Flynn on July 15th, 2009

The Brand Keyboard, brought to you by...everyoneThese days everything has to be branded with a company logo. It’s not just for race cars anymore. Imagine if keyboards were that way. You wouldn’t know what to type. Ignacio Pilotto is trying to make a statement about how these corporate brands have been “branded” in our consciousness.

And so the keys on this keyboard feature logos from some of the biggest and most famous brands ever. Sure, it’s an out there idea, but do you think these companies would mind one bit if they got some space on your next keyboard?

Mogo Talk Bluetooth headset debuts

Posted in Computer Components by Shane McGlaun on July 15th, 2009

mogobluetooth-sbMogo makes some interesting peripherals for notebook computers like a mouse that stores and charges inside the express card slot of the notebook. The company has announced a new product today called the Mogo Talk that is designed for Voip communications with notebook computers.

The device is designed to be the most comfortable Bluetooth headset on the market with a rubber ear tip that conforms to the ear and eliminates the need for an ear loop to keep the headset in place. The device stores and charges inside the laptop express card slot.

iKey’s AK-39 wearable keyboard

Posted in Keyboards by Conner Flynn on July 14th, 2009

iKey's AK-39 wearable keyboardiKey is known for their rugged keyboards, but they’ve outdone themselves with the new AK-39 wearable keyboard. It’s made primarily for military use and conforms to full MIL-461 standards. With this keyboard on your wrist you’ll be good to go in environments with harsh electromagnetic interference and it’s also designed to be used with a glove in either left or right-hand configurations.

The keyboard is a basic 39-key layout, with an integrated pointing device that uses Force Sensing Resistor (or FSR) technology, with adjustable green backlighting that is compatible with night vision. We have no info on pricing, but you probably can’t afford it anyway.

Miyoshi unveils wireless keyboard with built-in touchpad

Posted in Keyboards by Conner Flynn on July 13th, 2009

Miyoshi unveils wireless keyboard with built-in touchpadWell, it’s no Asus Eee keyboard, but this new wireless keyboard from Miyoshi is pretty unique and will give you all the basics, plus it has a lower price tag than some of its competitors. It sports a touchpad on the right hand side, where many of us are used to using the mouse, some media-specific keys, and a slider control on the left.

It also boasts 2.4GHz wireless capabilities so you can use it with your HTPC. Nothing on when this might show up in the U.S., but if you live in Japan you can get one now for about $108.

Sabre OLED gaming keyboard now shipping for $135

Posted in Keyboards by Conner Flynn on July 9th, 2009

OCZ Sabre OLED Gaming KeyboardWe knew last month that it was on the way, but now it’s official. OCZ is now shipping its Sabre OLED gaming keyboard and it has a price. It’s an affordable $135.

You’ll get nine customizable OLED keys and most of the specs you expect from a gaming keyboard, like “super tactile” keys, macro configuration options and some cool blue LEDs.

Thanko Silent Keyboard EX

Posted in Keyboards by Conner Flynn on July 8th, 2009

Thanko Silent Keyboard EXThanko wants to help keep your environment silent with an update to their Silent Keyboard with an EX attached on the end instead of a shhhhh. They’ve cut 16.5 dB from the sound of the keyboard and to them that equals $52.79.

Seems a tad pricey for any keyboard, silent or not. But if quiet is your bag and all of that clickety-clack is getting on your nerves, why not give it a shot? It will take your money just as quietly as it operates.

NXZT Sentry 2 Touchscreen Fan Controller

Posted in Computer Components by Conner Flynn on July 2nd, 2009

NXZT Sentry 2 Touchscreen Fan ControllerNXZT’s Sentry 2 Touchscreen Fan Controller looks like it belongs in the dashboard of your spaceship. No buttons here. It’s all touchscreen interaction. If you have a spare 5.25″ drive bay, you’ll want to put this in it.

The Sentry 2 lets you control up to 5 fans with the option for manually tuning individual fan speeds or letting the automatic controls take over to correspond to a specific temperature. An alarm will sound to alert the user if the temperature exceeds the preset amount and stores saved settings even after it is turned off.

OCZ Sabre OLED Gaming Keyboard

Posted in Keyboards by Conner Flynn on June 23rd, 2009

OCZ Sabre OLED Gaming KeyboardThe Sabre OLED gaming keyboard takes Art Lebedev’s OLED-in-each-key keyboard concept and adapts it for the mass market to enjoy. But it does have a lower price and a less impressive feature set. Only the numpad keys feature the OLED magic and the keys don’t display color.

OCZ tries to make up for the lack of OLED keys with a layered shortcut system and blue LED sidelighting. In the end we can only state the ovious, that the Sabre is no Optimus Maximus. Then again, the Optimus is huge and hard to type on. So maybe it’s for the best.

SMART debuts ID422w pen display

Posted in Displays by Shane McGlaun on June 18th, 2009

smartid422w-sbDigital artists often need a pen input pad to get their work done. Using the pen input tablet digital artists can draw right on the screen just like they would on paper. The big drawback to that sort of display is the cost.

SMART has announced its first widescreen interactive pen display called the ID422w. The display features a HD display, 16:9 aspect ratio, and a 22-inch screen size. The pen is tethered and uses no batteries. The large screen’s resolution is compatible with the resolution of most PCs and notebooks according to SMART.

Goldtouch Go! Keyboard folds in half

Posted in Keyboards by Conner Flynn on June 14th, 2009

Goldtouch Go! Keyboard folds in halfLooking for a portable travel keyboard that can fold in half for easy transportation? The Goldtouch Go! keyboard does just that. But unlike other portable keyboards, this one is said to be ergonomically designed in order to reduce the risk of injury when using it for a long time.

Not only is it portable, but it’s also light weight, weighing less than 0.5kgs. It comes with built-in key covers to protect it against dust and dirt.

Econo-keys mobile keyboard with track pad is odd

Posted in Keyboards by Shane McGlaun on June 10th, 2009

ecokeys-sbI can appreciate the fact that at times you really need an external keyboard. If all you are doing on your notebook while you are on the road is surfing the Web you may not need one. However, if you are working on the road an external keyboard can make a big difference in how quickly you can type long documents.

Econo-Keys has announced a new portable keyboard called the EK-76-TP that measures in at 8.91-inches x 3.54-inches x 0.38-inch and is compatible with Windows and Linux. The keyboard has 72 keys, 12 of which are function keys.

Numeric Keypad with a Spacebar

Posted in Keyboards by Conner Flynn on June 9th, 2009

Numeric Keypad with a SpacebarIf you have the type of job where you type numbers into your computer all day, you no doubt appreciate having a separate numeric keypad that you can position anywhere on your desk. Such keypads have a few extra keys on there besides the numbers, typically an enter key and a few calculating keys.

Here’s how this one will blow your mind. Are you sitting down? This one has a spacebar! I know right? At long last you can add spaces to long strings of numbers. If 8 and 9 are not getting along, you can separate them until they chill and learn to live together. Numbers will never be the same again.

Wireless keyboard features multitouch Trackpad with Number Pad

Posted in Keyboards by Conner Flynn on June 9th, 2009

Wireless keyboard features multitouch Trackpad with Number PadThis wireless keyboard is from the future. It’s here to laugh at other keyboards that do not combine a multitouch trackpad with a ten-key number pad, which saves space and adds functionality. It’s available now for $69. Soon all keyboards will be like this.

The multitouch feature registers a series of two and three-finger presses for scrolling, zooming, window switching, tapping, and more. The entire keyboard is less than 3/4 of an inch thick and includes 18 hotkeys for launching various programs. The wireless USB adapter snaps into the bottom of the keyboard if you want to take it with you.

The Hunt ‘n Peck Keyboard for those who never learned

Posted in Keyboards by Conner Flynn on May 31st, 2009

The Hunt ‘n Peck Keyboard for those who never learnedThere are those who have never learned how to type. These people use a method called hunt n peck. Understandably, these people have a hard time trying to hunt and peck on a normal keyboard. With this keyboard, just hit the ABC key and it will switch to alphabetical order, making it easier to find the key you need.

For others in the house, those who actually learned how to type, just push the button again and you have a normal QWERTY keyboard. This keyboard also has keys that have common IM abbreviations for you super lazy types.





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