Microsoft's Wireless Laser Desktop 6000 and mice go, uh, laser

Microsoft's not officially announcing these for another couple weeks, but it's not like we're really surprised anymore when mice or desktop sets go laser. But just as one last hurrah, you might like to know that as one of the biggest players, Microsoft's Wireless Laser Desktop 6000 and new line of mice features—wait for it—laser-equipped optics. Their new Wireless Laser Desktop 6000 set should retail for $105, with their Wireless Laser Mouse 6000 at $65 bare, their Wireless Notebook Laser Mouse 6000 at $55, and their Optical 5000 series between $35-55. So now that Logitech and MS have done it, where's Apple at with the (wireless) laser Mighty Mouse (or would it be the Mighty Laser Mouse, or Mighty Mouse Laser)?

[Thanks, Wombat]

[Hans @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

my gawd that's an ugly keyboard.

[Kramer @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

at last, a keyboard with natural ergonomic layout.
What's that pointy arrow thing on the left?

[Michael @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

I love Microsoft's ergonomic keyboards, but do these new curves one do as good of a job as the old splits ones?

The thing on the left is zoom control I think.

[Kevin @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

Silver and gray? Not sure if I like that color combo.

[edd:e @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

MS' Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 is much more interesting.
http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/discover/nek4000.htm
Reverse sloping!

I need to try this when it comes out.
As crappy as their software can get, their hardware is pretty great.

[Fen @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

I just don't feel that the spacebar is large enough.

:P

[memodude @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

The notebook mice aren't laser, they're "high-definition optical technology". I have a feeling this won't be nearly as good as the MX1000.

[da slob @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

who the hell cares where apple is with their laser mouse? microsoft and logitech are innovative in their thinking... apple just takes old technology, turns it white, and doubles the price...
personally i like the logitech with their mx1000 laser mouse... totally awesome

[Mike @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

I guess Bill must have asked for a keyboard and mouse with frickin' laser beams attached.

Have to admit that the best keyboard I ever used was a Microsoft one (until kitty decided that the cable was a tasty treat to chew on).

[Michael @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

5: Thank you so much!! MS hasn't had a reverse tilt keyboard since their original Natural Keyboard and I've been missing that feature ever since. I am buying the 4000 right away, plus it's black/gray - awesome.

[Lucien @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

I'm looking forward to the Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000, looks fantastic.. and also not available yet, judging by the press release date (next month!) and that Amazon is having a sale until Sept 5th on all MS keyboards and mice.

[DM @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

#8 "apple just takes old technology, turns it white, and doubles the price..."

Hehehe, that's a great way of putting it! :-P

The funniest part is that desktop computers & their accessories in the 90s were anyway all white (ok "off-white" to be precise)!

[Z @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

You'll be able to buy the Wireless Notebook Laser Mouse 6000 for $40 here:

http://www.mwave.com/mwave/skusearch.hmx?SCriteria=3753590&CartID=done&nextloc=

Finally, just what I've been looking for. Now if they could just make it with Bluetooth.

[Samuel Lago @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

I think everybody knows the keyboard to be looking out for

[Stoneman @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

All I asked for was sharks with frickin' laser beams! Is that too much to ask?

"They sold out of sharks"

"OK...what do we have...?"

"Very aggressive Sea Bass"

"That'll do".

heheheeh

Stoneman

[bbq @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

thats hot

[Phil @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

Good to see that MS has finally gone back to the standard layout for the Home, Delete, End, etc keys.

When MS switched to their 'space saving' format I swore (a lot trying to use one) that I wouldn't buy another one like that and starting buying logitech keyboards... until they followed MS's lead. Grr.

Now I am happy again and all is fine with the world. Phew.

[Phil @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

Actually small correction: the keyboard shown above has the crappy layout, but some of the other new keyboards have the traditional layout.

[Conrad Quilty-Harper @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

I can imagine the marketing campaign for the Mighty Mouse Laser:

"Now, you don't need to throw away your PC. With the Mighty Mouse Laser just a simple click and it'll burn up in 30 seconds flat."

Disclaimer: Do not look at Laser without Apple protective goggles: $55.