Modern keyboards (like the one on my Macbook Pro, that I am using to type this) have a moderate degree of redundant circuitry to allow for keyboard commands, but still fall short of some selective usage scenarios. I can easily press a few different keys at once (and elicit the appropriate response), but pressing four keys arranged next to each other in a square will only report the first three. Video games have emerged as the group of applications that have the fastest combinations involving the most unique keys. For these programs, users are not aware that their key-presses are going unreported, and will often assume the program or their skill is at fault. To address this problem, Microsoft has developed more advanced circuitry in their SideWinder X4 to allow for more simultaneous keys to be reported. Additionally, this technology allows for any of the QWERTY keys to be used simultaneously, and is cheaper than addressing each key with unique circuitry. Continue reading

A keyboard and mouse are often times one of the most overlooked components of any computer system, yet they may very well be one of the most important components. After all, almost all interaction with any computer seems to be with a keyboard and mouse. Today we will be taking a look at Microsoft’s Comfort Desktop 5000, which features a wireless ergonomic keyboard and a wireless BlueTrack mouse. Continue reading

With the the recent flood of smaller, cheaper laptops and netbooks hitting the market, it only makes sense that companies would want to make mobile accessories smaller as well. Today we will be taking a look at one of Microsoft’s newest products, the Mobile Mouse 4000. Like most newer mobile mice, it sports a cropped form factor as well as a very small “nano transceiver.” Continue reading

Several months after Logitech launched several mobile mice featuring nano transceivers, Microsoft is finally fighting back by introducing the Wireless Mobile Mouse 6000 with a nano transceiver, which are ideal for use with laptops and netbooks due to the small size of the transceivers. Continue reading

While the quality of Microsoft software offerings is debatable, Microsoft’s hardware offerings are usually top notch. Today we are going to look at Microsoft’s newest wireless desktop set, the Wireless Desktop 3000. Upon first glance, the Wireless Desktop 3000 appears to be like most other Microsoft desktop sets. However, it is one of the first to include a BlueTrack mouse. Continue reading

The Microsoft Sidewinder X8 presents itself as Microsoft’s new flagship gaming mouse. Having been a Logitech user for years, I am eager to try the X8, and to see how the BlueTrack technology performs. Continue reading

I was fortunate enough to attend CES 2009 this year, and I was able to get a few videos there, along with a lot of pictures. Here are a few of the videos I was able to take.

Continue Reading

When asked what first comes to mind when one hears the name “Microsoft,” one’s first thought is often of their operating system or software, and rarely “an excellent piece of hardware”. However, Microsoft does still have some often overlooked areas of expertise. Today we will be taking a look at Microsoft’s newest keyboard and mouse combo, the Wireless Laser Desktop 6000.

Continue Reading

The computer mouse has evolved greatly over the years. First there was the mechanical mouse, then the optical mouse, followed by the laser mouse. Well the mouse has once again evolved with the introduction of Microsoft’s Explorer Mouse with BlueTrack technology. BlueTrack is billed as the ultimate mouse tracking technology because it can be used on surfaces that optical and laser mice could not handle. Is this in fact the case or is it all a bunch of hot air?

Continue Reading