With mobile devices and laptops ruling the tech industry, good quality keyboards and mice are falling by the wayside. One company that is still committed to giving desktop users a worthwhile experience is Microsoft, which has proved its commitment by unveiling the new Windows 8-customized keyboards and mice.
The keyboard splits down the center offering users two options for space bars, one on the left and one on the right. Many people only use one thumb to tap the space bar as it is, by splitting it in two, Microsoft allows users to customize the other conveniently places bar to perform a function of their choice. Although it's difficult to tell from the image above, the keyboard is dome shaped, meaning it curves upwards toward the center and slopes down toward the edges.
One reviewer from ZDNet said the biggest problem with the keyboard is the split in the center forces familiar buttons like the backspace and number "6" key to be in unfamiliar territory, although the frequent user will find a way to adjust to that rather quickly. It also comes with an optional keyboard height adapter that clicks into the back of the keyboard magnetically, similar to the keyboards that can be attached to the surface tablets. A separate number pad is also available for users who need a dedicated space to punch in digits as many find the top row of a standard QWERT keyboard difficult to use.
The new keyboard also includes "Charm keys" along the top row that mirror the charms in the Windows 8 operating system. Clearly this device is built specifically to augment the floundering operating system from Microsoft Windows.
This is further proven by the new mouse, which comes with a Windows key at the top which, when pressed, takes the user to the default Windows Start screen. The mouse features a thumb rest and a trackball to split the navigation work between that and the standard range-of-motion controls found on all mice.
Both devices can be equipped to any device using a single USB dongle. The peripheral controls only work on Windows 7, 8 and RT, although RT users can only enjoy "basic functionality."
Both will be available for $129.95. The mouse should hit stores in August and the keyboard will be available separately in September for $80.95.
