When you think of Apple, you think of sexy, sleek designs. You think hot ironically dressed geeks hunched over Mac Books listening to their colourful iPods.
When you think Microsoft, one usually pictures Bill Gates and nerdy programmers coding in .Net surrounded by empty Styrofoam coffee cups and Snickers wrappers.
However, Microsoft really has upped its game when it comes the design and style of their hardware, and their overall image.
I recently had the opportunity to check out some of Microsoft’s latest mice and keyboards, and I have to say that they don’t exactly look like what you might expect from Microsoft.
Microsoft emphasis that this time ‘round, they’re making "products to live with", and designed their latest range of hardware the same way they would a nice piece of furniture. They say that they realize people want their gadgets and PCs to reflect their personalities, that their choices in hardware are essentially extensions of their own personalities.
Microsoft seem to be embracing COOLERBOOKS's "lifestyle accessory vs gadget" mentality. They've created a line of products that are stylish and chic but that are still technologically innovative and designed with the user experience in mind.
Microsoft (finally) seem to understand that it’s not just techy men using their products, and I’m particularly excited about the following new products:
£34.99, 10 month battery life
Available in five different colors, the Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000 is extremely portable, lightweight, and it just looks fabulous doesn’t it? The Wireless Mobile Mouse uses BlueTrack Technology, which means that you can use this mouse on your duvet, a blanket, carpet, wood floor or even the wall without having to use a damn mouse pad. (Unforunately, BlueTrack doesn’t work on glass or mirrored surfaces, but how often do you use your mouse on your bathroom mirror?)
I have plenty more to say about the Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000, so stay tuned for my full review later this week!
£79.99, up to 10 month battery life with on/off switch
This “ultra-thin, stylish” keyboard is pretty damn cool. The curve of the keyboard encourages natural wrist posture so you don’t need one of those hideous wrist pads on your desk, and it even comes with a portable Bluetooth number pad. If you hate using the numbers at the top of your laptop and are used to using the number pad on the right hand side of your keyboard, you can position it where you want it – if you even want to use it at all.
Plus, if you’re left handed, you can move the number pad to the other side, so you can punch away numbers with your dominate hand!
£69.99
This webcam is absolutely brilliant, and if you regularly talk to family and friends on Skype or hold business meetings via webcam, the Lifecam Cinema is perfect.
With a HD widescreen, auto focus, a digital noise-cancelling microphone and a flexible stand for notebook and desktop PCs, this is by far one of the coolest and well built webcams I’ve seen in action.
The video is crystal clear and the audio is brilliant, as well.
£49.99, 6+ month battery life
This is the sexiest mouse I’ve ever touched. The sleek design is thin but durable, the finish is gorgeous, and the Arc Mouse is extremely portable. It simply folds up for transport, and you can literally fit in your pocket, as you would with a mobile phone. The nano receiver is magnetic and simply clips into the underside of the Arc so you don’t have worry about it falling out. I want one of these little guys so badly it hurts!