The Optimus Maximus has had a great deal of positive press. Although it is interesting, we suspect it will ultimately be a failure. For all of its innovation in terms of configuration, the chassis is surprisingly conventional and unnattrative. At $1500 it is priced for industrial rather than consumer use, and yet it is aimed at consumers. We suspect that more people will talk about buying one than actually doing so.<p /><p />The idea of individually configurable keys is interesting, and will happen soon, but at a much lower price and with different technology. <p /><p />However, far be it for us to judge - the vote is yours.

When the aluminum slab style keyboard design was leaked, the rumor is that the shit hit the proverbial fan at Apple HQ, because its design hinted at what is to come.<p /><p />Our guess is that the stunning new Apple wireless keyboards may give a clue as to the possible tablet/mini laptops which may come out in early 2008.<p /><p />If we are right, then its the side profile that possibly shows how a late 90s Sony Vaio style circular battery and 360 degree screen rotation could allow for a tablet/laptop hybrid.

Although this is certainly a sincere effort to make a better designed keyboard than standard models, it falls short of the latest keyboards from Apple, and looks like it is trying too hard to be designery rather than functional.

Although the idea is very seductive, we suspect that laser based keyboards are difficult to produce for reliable typing. We could be wrong. If you have used this device and like it, let us know in the comments.

Das Keyboard is ergonomic without being flashy. It is based upon old IBM keyboards that were favored by programmers and is so extremely minimalist that it has no letters on keys - in order to force you to touch type, for greater speed.

These Vandalism-proof stainless steel keyboards are designed for kiosks. They have the kind of truly ergonomic design and durability that makes consumer a;ternatives such as the Apple metal keyboards look like toys.

A twin typewriter setup, so that scientific equations can be written.

Although this keyboard was designed primarily for medical and marine applications. These demanding requirements have created a high quality waterproof keyboard with integral touch pad.

A $4400 lacquer keyboard to celebrate the anniversary of the happy hacking pro keyboard. Only 100 were ever made.

This is our favorite of all alternative typing systems. We have used thumb to finger methods for counting, for centuries. This extends the idea to a full querty input via glove based sensors

The iFrog is one of those devices that is gaining a cult following, because its cheap enough and easy enough to use, to be actually useful. It uses duplicated toggled keys to keep the keyboard big enough to be useable but small enough to use portably.

The forthcoming FTSK VX7 has an ultra slim touch screen keyboard that surely shows the trend as touch pads and tactile feedback and screen displayed keys.

Medical keyboards are useful outside of medical applications, since they are rugged keyboards that can be easily cleaned.<p /><p />Unlike many medical keyboards which are soft rubber and roll up, this is a rigid design rather like a normal chicklet keyboard.

Outside of being a Navy Seal, we are not quite sure what you would need this extreme weather proof wearable keyboard for.<p /><p />It does, however, look cool. Its available in plastic or anodized aluminum and there is a backlit version - for night ops.

One step better than the laser projection keyboards, the Senseboard actually registers finger movements directly. Although this is an old idea, and was shown as a prototype at Comdex in 2001, the idea of virtual keyboards is now a reality and this blue tooth device may actually work.

The Alphagrip is a fully functional keyboard that looks like a game controller. In fact while using it, people look like players in Existenz.

Visit the site linked to here for instructions on how to build your own version of one of the more futuristic keyboards.

There are several fabric keyboards on the market, these days, however Eleksens latest stands out by putting a keyboard within a carrying pouch.