Microsoft’s press release verbatim:
Microsoft Corp. today announced the availability of the Wireless Laser Desktop for Mac, its first Mac-specific desktop complete with a stylish wireless Comfort Curve Keyboard and a wireless High Definition laser mouse. With this new desktop set, the Microsoft Hardware division combines comfortable design with High Definition technology to deliver the ultimate in cutting-edge performance, luxury and style to any Mac user. The futuristic silver finish complements the Mac design to make a mark on any desktop while providing the freedom of wireless control.
The Microsoft Wireless Laser Desktop for Mac features Microsoft’s first keyboard designed specifically for the Mac. The key layout is consistent with Mac-only keyboards. To truly meet Mac users’ needs, this is Microsoft’s only keyboard without the Windows Start button. The Wireless Laser Desktop for Mac is compatible with the new Intel-based Mac machines as well as PowerPC models, and will have Hot Keys that map to Mac programs such as iTunes and iPhoto.
“We are excited to see our colleagues on the Microsoft Hardware team provide this Mac-only keyboard and mouse to strengthen Microsoft’s lineup of products for Mac users, which includes our productivity suite, Office 2004 for Mac,” said Scott Erickson, director of product management and marketing for the Macintosh Business Unit at Microsoft. “This launch further demonstrates Microsoft’s commitment to enhancing the computing experience for Mac users. We were able to preview the product at Macworld this January and saw firsthand the very favorable response from Mac customers.”
Classy Comfort
For greater comfort at work or in the home, the Wireless Laser Desktop for Mac’s Comfort Curve Keyboard encourages natural hand and wrist positioning in an easy-to-use layout for enhanced comfort and productivity. The Comfort Curve design is preferred by a ratio of 3-to-1 over flat, straight keyboards, and includes a cushioned palm rest for supreme comfort.(1) Designed and tested by Microsoft’s in-house ergonomists and usability experts, the Wireless Laser Desktop for Mac is the ultimate in comfort and performance for Mac users and includes the following key features:
• Mac Modifier Keys. Control, Option and Command buttons are right where users need them.
• Zoom Slider. Consumers can zoom in for a closer look at digital pictures, maps and more.
• My Favorites Keys. These five keys can be customized to instantly bring up favorite photos, folders, files and Web pages.
• Eject key. This key lets users easily eject CDs and DVDs.
• Hot Keys. These buttons offer one-touch, immediate access to programs consumers use the most, including those for e-mail, chat, music, photos and the Web.
High Definition for the Mac
The Wireless Laser Desktop for Mac features a sleek silver wireless High Definition laser mouse. Microsoft’s cutting-edge High Definition technology is two generations ahead of standard optical mouse products and gives the mouse ultimate precision and responsiveness.(2) In addition, the mouse utilizes Microsoft’s Intelligent Tracking System for smoother tracking without interruptions or skipping, even over unique surfaces. For enhanced performance this mouse also features a Tilt Wheel for navigating and viewing documents and spreadsheets with ease. One-click access to Microsoft’s Magnifier tool makes the Mac magnifier feature more discoverable for real-time document enlargement.
“The Hardware team has been creating Mac-compatible peripherals for many years,” said Rusty Jeffress, general manager of the Microsoft Hardware team at Microsoft. “We always value the feedback of our customers; for this product we went back to the drawing board with the specific requests of our Mac users, and are excited to deliver our first Mac-specific keyboard and mouse that provide the tools and features Mac users need to be productive.”
Pricing and Availability
The Microsoft Wireless Laser Desktop for Mac will be available this summer for an estimated retail price of US$99.95.
More info: http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/productdetails.aspx?pid=078
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Mac users should not buy Microsoft software (or hardware) – May 16, 2003
I agree that Apple’s keyboard could use a design overhaul, but I also like the simplicity of it. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone that uses all those cluttered hotkeys.
MS keyboards work very fine. We have three of different models.
———
Guess what Microsoft haters – Apple sells Microsoft keyboards on its website store.
http://tinyurl.com/mj4y8
If the Microsoft products suck like you all say, then who is more stupid Microsoft or the company that sells their products?
P.S. Steve also endorses putting Windows on your Mac.
I’ve used the “Windows” version of this keyboard for quite a while. It is a decent keyboard and I am pleased to see that now I can get it with Command and Option keys instead of Alt and Start. This desktop set doesn’t really deserve the attacks it is receiving here.
I’m not gonna knock the fact that they made a product solely for Mac, hell the more products the better. However, in no way can this be said to complement the design of any Mac, except for possibly the Pro machines, but even then only in terms of colour – maybe.
If they’re (not just MS) gonna have all these extra keys on keyboards then why can’t they make them match the size/shape of regular keys?
Microsoft is just behaving rationally. Apple, in a few years, may be their biggest market for keyboards and mice.
There sure are a lot of buttons on that thing… where’s “Self Destruct”?
What an embarrassing bunch of fools on this site. This is GREAT NEWS, you jackasses. Not everybody wants a square keyboard, and not everybody wants Apple’s mouse. This gives Mac owners more choices, and you lemmings tear it apart just because MS makes it. Oh yeah, and by the way, this is gonna help Apple’s switch campaign, because a lot of people LOVE these kinds of keyboards, and Microsoft has a great reputation for making great keyboards and mice.
About what I would have expected design-wise from MS. Butt ugly.
MW piece as in…
“Is it Bluetooth, RF or IR?”
Ya know, they never actually say, but since bluetooth is ®, and it is not mentioned, it looks like (from the specs) that it’s a radio device with a USB receiver.
“Computer/Operating System
Mac OS X version 10.4x (excluding 10.0)
Users of Mac OS X v10.2.x must install enclosed IntelliType Pro and IntelliPoint software before connecting the hardware.
Users of Mac OS X v10.3.x must upgrade to Mac OS X v10.3.9 before connecting hardware OR install the enclosed IntelliType Pro and IntelliPoint software before connecting the hardware.
Hard Disk Space
30 MB of available hard disk space
Connectivity
An available universal serial bus (USB) port
Other
CD-ROM drive
A wired mouse and keyboard may be required for installation
Internet Hot Keys are supported for use with: Browser support (only with software installed): Apple Safari 1.2, Microsoft® Internet Explorer 5.2.3, Netscape Navigator 7, Mozilla Firefox 1.0, Opera 7
Multimedia Hot Keys are supported for use with iTunes.”
Wow… That is really. Ugly.
For a moment there I thought it was 1 April today. Had to check my calender but it really is real.
I suppose it’s good that M$ are beginning to smell the coffee.
I have a microsoft wireless mouse and it works fine. I really don’t care what a keyboard looks like as long as it is comfortable.
And there is a sweet dell keyboard at work that is about 15 years old that makes a nice click when you press the keys. Now that is a keyboard!
Maybe Microsoft went for the 50’s retro look, to match most PC towers?
Actually there are several features of this keyboard that I would use, and I think all keyboards are butt ugly, so what’s differnt about this one, other than its from Microsoft?
The thing about this that impresses me most is that Microsoft obviously sees revenue here. That means Mac share is growing, and that growth is coming from Windows users, who aren’t turned off by the Microsoft name.
Ye of small minds, open your eyes and pay attention to what’s going on around you. You might learn enough to make a buck from what you see.
Looks OK to me. I would also like some other alternatives to the straight and flat keyboard. I used to use MS’s Intellimouse and liked it until it died. It was the only MS thing I was willing to use voluntarily. I’ll keep an open mind for this one.
Speaking of keyboards, now that I have used my MacBook for a few days, I really do like the new chiclet keyboard. It has a much more solid feel and it just feels easier to type on.
Comes with a free MS towel. Granted it doesn’t absorb anything
just kind of pushes the sweat around.
Well, it’s not as nice as I had hoped, but at least someone has come up with a Mac-specific ergonomic keyboard. Why in the world hasn’t Apple done the same? Straight keyboards hurt my wrists after extended typing. Got to give Microsoft a little credit for trying. I wish it was white; then it would have broader appeal. Looks kind of retro, which turns me off. Overall, I give it a C+.
Ok, I’m really not sure why the extreme hostility. I’ll accept that the keyboard / mouse isn’t anywere near as nice looking as Apple’s, but really is it that much worst than the regular keyboards and mice?
Let’s look at this in another way…
The hardware division of Microsoft sees the Mac market as being significiant enough for them to market a keyboard and mouse combo to that market. This is what I think is the big story. Not how pretty or ugly the device is. Combine this with the story about Dell offering Mac OS drivers and you see both companies noticing an increase in Mac users and wanting to tap into them.
Would I use this keyboard and mouse? probably not. I’ve got a nice Logitech combo already.
What is the big difference between a Mac keyboard and a PC keyboard? The sticker on the command/windows key.
That thing is hideous looking. I like the “look” of the standard issue Mac keyboard, but I vastly prefer the feel of the macally icekey keyboard. Man, I took another look at that microsoft keyboard and it is just wrong. When I read the headline I thought, well maybe M$ has come up with an interesting design. Wrong, dead wrong.
Artist,
I think you’re right.
While I’m no great MS fan, I hear nothing but praise for their keyboards and mice. A friend of mine, a Mac user, swears by them.
Kind folk, let’s try and keep open minds. Dogmatism is an unattractive quality.
Standard disclaimer before praising the devil. I loath Windows. I am a switcher – turned the whole house Mac (except for my wife, who can’t cut the Redmond cord) but I kept my old MS Natural keyboard with a ps/2 adapter because I’m a writer and I need a comfortable keyboard with minimal keystroke errors. On this one score, MS delivers — the Natural remains one of the more comfortable boards in terms of key layout, although the key action itself is a little on the mushy side. I have always hated Apple keyboards and so stuck with the Natural. Haven’t tried this configuration — the natural has a split rather than a continuous curve — but I suspect this will offer a similar typing experience. Yes, it is on the ugly side, but function trumps form for keyboards if you live on them.
Earlier this year, however, I discoverd a minty fresh Apple Extended Keyboard II on eBay, that old ADB giant, and now my Natural is history. The old Extended II is the BEST KEYBOARD EVER. Lovely key action. All keys still function via adb to usb adapter, even the power on, CD eject (f12) and the boot from CD-Rom keyboard commands (couldn’t do any of this with my PS/2 adapter; don’t know about MS UBS products). I can’t believe Apple isn’t producing a similarly superior USB or Blue Tooth product as the old Apple Extended.
I use a Microsoft Internet Pro keyboard and Intellimouse Optical right now.My Apple keyboard and Mighty Mouse are still sitting in the box.
M$ may f— up operating systems, but they make great keyboards and mice.
I am really please with my Intellimouse and wouldn´t mind a keyboard from MS… This one looks like crap though, way too much buttons I´ll never use. I know from experience.
mdn word .great as in MS actually makes some nice mices…(they do!)
Apple knows that less is more. Microsoft doesn’t. That keyboard just looks like too much extra stuff.
I count about 22 extra buttons than a standard keyboard. 5 extra…ok…10 extra…yeah…alright…but 22? It’s supposed to make things easier but it just makes things more complex
The design promises much, but is let down by the clutter of hotkeys.