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Microsoft is updating its line of mouse and keyboard products with new models designed specifically for Windows 10.
Of course, you can probably just use any old keyboard and mouse with the company’s latest operating system… but if you happen to be in the market for some new PC accessories, the new models have a few features designed to take advantage of Windows 10.
First up is the new Wireless Desktop 900, which is a $50 wireless mouse and keyboard set. The keyboard and mouse feature customizable Windows shortcut keys and there’s a Mouse and Keyboard Center app that lets you configure the system so you can launch Cortana, OneNote, or virtual desktops and task view with a single-click.
Both the keyboard and mouse use an AES 128-bit encrypted connection to communicate with your computer.
The Wireless Desktop 900 should be available starting October 1st. Just want the mouse? Microsoft will sell it as a standalone product for $30.
Microsoft will also the Bluetooth Mobile Mouse 3600 for $30. It features a 4-way scroll wheel for up, down, left, and right navigation.
The company is also updating some of its existing Wireless Desktop sets including the Sculpt Comfort Desktop, Wireless Desktop 850, Wireless Keyboard 850, Wireless Desktop 3050, and Wireless Comfort Desktop 5050.
All of the new models feature support for AES encryption and for Cortana, OneNote, and virtual desktops.
The Sculpt Comfort Desktop is already available, while the other models should be available in September or October.
I have an extra HP large track pad to sell, if interested, let me know. Its new in box
Has Microsoft yet changed the encryption on their keyboards to something more secure? If nothing explicit on that, I’ll stick to either Bluetooth only, or perhaps just Logitech keyboards instead…
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2007/12/wireless-keyboard-encryption-easily-broken-say-researchers/
https://arstechnica.com/security/2015/01/meet-keysweeper-the-10-usb-charger-that-steals-ms-keyboard-strokes/
Doh, RTFA first! 😛
Good to see, perhaps I’ll upgrade to the new Sculpt set after all, more for the AES rather than the enhanced usability…
Meh, why pricing BT mouse/keyboard so high…
Ah, yes, mostly marketing!
Backlit keys, please.
How about a track pad that is good enough (and large enough) to actually take advantage of some (if not most) of the built.in touch-screen capability? A touch screen on the desktop or laptop is just plain stupid. The device walks all over the desk and/or tips over. And don’t get me started about finger print and smudge marks on the (equally stupid) shiny screens that the manufacturers seem to be obsessed with.
I don’t any reason to bother with a touch screen in windows 10. Just use a mouse and keyboard with a desktop. It’s more of a desktop OS than 8. I turn off all the stupid tiles anyway.
I couldn’t disagree with you any more. I think touch works well in both desktop and tablet modes. And trackpads are fairly useless, in my opinion. They must be the weakest of all pointing devices. After all, a track pad is only mimicking (in a VERY limited space, even large ones) what one would be doing if they could touch the screen and make objects move (which made sense 10 years ago, but not so much in 2015…). I’ll take a mouse, stylus, trackpoint or a touchscreen any day over a track pad.
I’ve got an Acer R7 572 and I use the touch screen more than I do the mouse, except when I’m doing something like gaming. The screen is vivid and bright enough that I only notice finger smudges when it’s turned off. I do agree that Windows could use more compatible input devices with trackpad areas, something like Apple’s Magic Trackpad.