When you see something new and innovative like an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) keyboard, one can’t help but compare it to the expensive Optimus Maximus keyboard. The one feature that such a keyboard desprately needs is a drool-guard, as every technophile would hover over its beauty. Unfortunately most of us don’t have over $1000 to lay down on a computer peripheral but still need the flexibility of such a device.
Do you remember that complicated programs used to come with “keyboard overlays”. I remember the old WordPerfect function key overlays, which were really more of a reference-sheet than a quick guide. Complex games with lots of functions (like MMOs) had keyboard overlays, and some keyboards like the Z-board had custom skins for popular games. If you could change the key to be an icon then there would be no need to memorize which command corresponded to which key.
Inside this unassuming cardboard box is your destiny
Entering the customizble keyboard scene is OCZ with their OLED Gaming keyboard. While it can’t change hard-coded letter keys, it does combine the best of both worlds by combining a standard gaming keyboard with a customizable OLED keypad. Using such a keypad allows you to dynamically update the key label on-the-fly depending on the application or game you’re running.
Here’s the Marketing Fluff straight from the Fluffers…
The World’s Most Intelligent Gaming Keyboard
The Sabre’s unique combination of user-friendly functions, durability, and personalization features is the answer for serious gamers and professionals seeking improved productivity and competitiveness.
The nine dynamic OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) user-programmable hotkeys help manage time and efficiency while surfing the web, gaming, emailing, and CAD applications or any avenue the user sees fit. The unique OLED keys can convert any digital image or text into distinctive icons, reminding the user of the personalized shortcut. Additionally, the Sabre features blue side lighting, perfect for users that prefer darkened rooms or gamers frequenting LAN parties.
Exclusive Software, Unlimited Customization
The Sabre’s exclusive software turns conventional computing or gaming into an engaging, state-of-the-art experience. The software allows the user to map sets of simple or complex command tiers to each OLED and holds the power to store limitless layers of shortcuts and macros.
Each “home” command of the key can then activate a sub-grid of your favorite alt/ctrl and menu shortcuts individual to each program or application. Add additional tiers of commands and macros to each sub-layer creating infinite possibilities and increasing speed and productivity at work or during game play.
Outlast the Competition
Designed for ultra-competitive gamers, CAD professionals, and enthusiasts, the OCZ Sabre keyboard embodies a collection of their high-end needs by uniting style and comfort with the features and personalization demanded from a high-end peripheral. The Sabre features an ergonomic and high-quality design and construction with keys lasting over 5 million cycles and will remain comfortable even through prolonged usage with its clean layout, tilted design, and rubber coated keys to provide the best tactile feedback.
Specifications
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On the next page we open the box and look at this beauty…
The Sabre takes a bit of room on your desktop at over 20 inches wide. They keyboard is matte black, but has curved edges, making it semi-octagonal (perhaps it was inspired by Capricans). The keyboard has a comfortable rubberized wrist rest, and employs a standard flat keyboard layout, using the new “large Delete key” home group rather than the classic “obsolete Print Screen” layout. The function keys are grouped by fours instead of threes like the Logitech Wave keyboard (reviewed here). To the left of the standard keyboard keys is a 3×3 grid (total of nine) of customizable OLED buttons, which we will explore later. The keyboard also has a standard numerical pad, and the blue numlock indicator LEDs are above this block.
OLED bank, tilt riser and keyboard layout
The left and right sides of the keyboard glow blue with the help on internal LEDs. While they don’t help you read your keyboard any better, they do illuminate the surrounding desktop. One thing that we noticed that was lacking for a “gaming keyboard” was a USB hub, backlit keys or real-time display. The keyboard has all this eye candy but lacks some of the features that are practically standard on PC gaming peripherals. They keyboard however is very responsive and an absolute joy to type with.
On the next page we use the onboard software…
You really need to run the included software in order to customize the OLED keys (no installation required). Thankfully the software is included on the keyboard’s onboard 128K flash memory, which functions like a standard USB drive (just plug in and you get a drive letter). This is a feature I’ve been screaming to the hardware industry about for several years, so kudos to OCZ for listening. The software is intuitive and easy to figure out. On the screen is a grid of nine keys laid out exactly like the keyboard. Just click on the key you would like to customize and assign a function to it. You can choose from pre-defined functions or create your own.
The OLED keys can have “multi-tiered” configurations… in which the keys change to different commands depending on the first button pressed. This way you can create grouped functions or tiered tactical commands.
You can customize each key with a digital image in practically any format (but BMP, ICO, JPG or PNG will be the most popular used). The image must be 64 x 64 pixels, and you need to be aware that the OLED key is monochrome. If you copy a “Firefox” icon to the keyboard, then it will look like a horrible mess. You’ll get better results if you make it monochrome, increase the contrast, dither and reduce the colors, or a combination of these techniques.
Using the keyboard for online games is a dynamic shift in the experience once properly configured. An icon that shows a grenade rather than reload has saved me from so many accidental gibs that I’ve lost count. Tactical shooters also receive a huge boon, thanks to the multi-tiered nature of the software. MMOs can benefit as well, but since there are so many functions to use, you’ll have to do some major planning to group your functions properly or just resort to your most-used commands.
On the next page we render our verdict…
If you’re a serious PC gamer, then the OCZ Sabre OLED Gaming Keyboard should be at the top of your list. You really have to consider which features you’re looking for in a gaming keyboard. On one hand you have a fully-customizble OLED keyboard with onboard memory and limitless macro configurations, but you miss out on key backlighting, color screens, USB ports and other features that competing products provide.
It would have been nice if there were additional hard buttons for media as well. Many gamers like access to volume and media buttons while they play, and shouldn’t have to use up a few of their OLED slots for this purpose.
You probably won’t use the Sabre in daylight again
The keyboard is a dream to type on, as it is very quiet and extremely responsive. The OLED buttons are a bit large and take more effort to press, but that’s the whole point of these special macro keys… you really don’t want to press them by accident.
In addition to a great typing experience is the user-friendly customization software. The hardest part of using this software is figuring out which functions you want to program and getting the icons looking “just right”. It might take a lot of effort to customize this keyboard to your liking, but once you do you’ll certainly turn some heads at the next LAN party.
And that’s what it’s really all about, isn’t it?
UPDATE: Originally the OCZ Sabre keyboard received a 5 rating, and it does deserve such when presented to those looking for unique and innovative gaming keyboards. There are lots of things to like about this keyboard, but many PC gamers will be looking for certain features that have been omitted. After these considerations we decided to change our score to a respectible 4 out of 5 rating.
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7 Comment
with current (and only) available drivers, the OLEDs have a built in 'screensaver' of 3 minutes. Its a feature confirmed by OCZ on their forums to prevent the OLEDs frmo burning out.
If you press one of the OLEDs, they will all come on again, but you will invoke the associated function of the pressed OLED button in the process
Someone's got it wrong yet again! Why stuff with the Home End block of keys? I rely on their three vertical pairs, and the familiar space around them and the arrow keys, to quickly access vital commands by feel. They also constitute a handy set of three up down toggles, and I often assign ‘End’ (at centre bottom) as a Zoom or Snipe key in First Person Shooters. Disappointed!!
It's like this keyboard is more for work productivity than gaming. I'm way more likely to use the key in a work setting, as well as use the keyboard with some light in the room (as opposed to the preference for complete darkness for a game). I find the lack of backlit keys to be bizarre and inconvenient, considering it has side lighting which doesn't seem very useful.
@Phillip: That's why we break down the grade so you can see what matters to you. If the keyboard were perfect, then it would have received a "perfect" badge.
Chris / Hi Flare. Have you lkoeod at the Microsoft Sidewinder X6? Much cheaper and has red backlighting? Or the Logitech G110, also cheaper and with multi-colour backlights.
First rule for a keyboard is backlighting. Second, spill proof.
You're a shill. No backlit keys, no media controls, no USB ports, expensive as hell, managing software is buggy, OLED keys aren't greyscale…