Kensington's SlimBlade Media Notebook set relies on magnets not magic

In perhaps the largest dose of hyperbole you'll taste this year, Kensington is claiming to "reinvent the computer interface" with their new SlimBlade Media Notebook set. No, we're not talking mult-touch, speech, or thought control here; just magnets. Sorry, no magical Steorn energy, they're simply using magnets to attach a media remote and keypad module to the sides of a keyboard. Whoopee. The wireless laser mouse features a 360-degree scroll ball while the keyboard goes both ways with PC or Mac hotkeys. A Wireless USB micro-receiver controls all the modules and tucks away inside the mouse when not in use. The kit goes for $130, or $150 with the Vista MediaCenter / FrontRow enabled remote control. Pretty sweet all-in-all but hardly a re-invention of the computer interface.

[Scooter @ Sep 17th 2007 8:10AM]

nice idea anyway. Especially if they build on the idea and add other modular components such as e.g. video editing (shuttle wheel), a touch pad, a media board (with volume knob, ff/rr buttons etc), even a sideshow screen.

[L. Cyphre @ Sep 17th 2007 8:17AM]

Hmm? What's that? I remember putting 200GB of important office documents on that external hard drive...

[Lonnie McClure @ Sep 17th 2007 9:30AM]

I hope you don't seriously think magnets this relatively weak would have any effect on data on the platter(s) of a modern hard drive.

A modern hard drive typically uses one or more neodymium magnets for the head actuator voice coil, and these rare earth magnets are quite powerful.

As long as you have given up on floppies (and perhaps Zip disks), your PC data in in little danger from magnets used in household applications.

[Kurtis @ Sep 17th 2007 10:33AM]

it was a joke, jackass

[ZeoSzeHo @ Sep 17th 2007 8:26AM]

So it's like the mighty mouse (i'm referring to the scroll ball)!
Sweet. Can i buy only the mouse?

[strider_mt2k @ Sep 17th 2007 8:44AM]

Can I use this with a Blade server while watching Blade, speaking on my Blade and perhaps applying a blade to my own throat?

If not then hey buddy, how ya fixed for blades?

[Argot @ Sep 17th 2007 10:02AM]

"You know you laughed!"

Yeah, back in 1997....

[Kurtis @ Sep 17th 2007 10:35AM]

@Argot

Way to reply to the wrong message...

[Aron Trimble @ Sep 17th 2007 8:47AM]

Logitech DiNovo wireless keyboard.... $149
Apple Wireless Mighty mouse.... $59
Apple (magnetic) remote.... 29$
Re-inventing the wheel.... priceless!

[Ebzy @ Sep 17th 2007 9:15AM]

Dear me, do these type of jokes still exist in the 21st century?

[Aron T @ Sep 17th 2007 9:30AM]

You know you laughed!

[Kris @ Sep 17th 2007 10:08AM]

I'm sorry but the Mighty Mouse is a horrible mouse. Not only are the side buttons hard to use, but it's as if Apple has no idea what ergonomic means. It hurts my wrist after long usage of any Apple mouse.

I used to work for Apple's technical support so after about 1-2 months of my wrist having some of the worst pain, I went out and purchased a Microsoft mouse (ironically, almost everyone in our call center used a Microsoft or Logitech mouse and returned the Apple mouse to the storage closet) and never looked back.

[VayVay @ Sep 17th 2007 1:50PM]

A lot of people love to malign the Mighty Mouse, but mouse feel is one of the most highly subjective areas of computer interface design. Personally, I love my Mighty Mouse, the scroll ball is worth the price of admission on it's own, and it fits well in my hand and I don't get any undue strain from it. The side buttons are no problem and the right click works fine on mine (although to be fair, this is my second one, the first did have problems recognizing a right click). I also have an MS Bluetooth Mouse & Keyboard, both of which feel good to my hands as well. On the other hand I tried one of the newer Logitechs a while back and thar particular shape was awful for me, even though it was very similar in size and shape to my MS mouse. Bottom line, find what works for you and go with it.

[The Steven @ Sep 17th 2007 2:45PM]

Not new... Back in the '90's there was a "modular keyboard" you start with a tray, add the alpha section where ever you want, left right or center. Then you could add a numeric setion, or blank faceplates either to the right or left of the alpha section. If you wanted "T" or "inverted T" arrow section you could add that too. If they kept it in production, you could go anywhere from 56 to 104 keys. It was popular a few of my left-handed accountant friends.

[MarvinK @ Sep 17th 2007 8:10PM]

Why isn't this Bluetooth!? Especially if it is a "notebook" set!

[Typhoid Mary @ Sep 17th 2007 11:00PM]

Kensington is claiming to "reinvent the computer interface"

Did Apple buy Kensington?