Microsoft Arc Keyboard now available in white exclusively from Amazon
By Donald Melanson 
posted April 13th 2010 4:07PM
posted April 13th 2010 4:07PM
Microsoft's Arc Keyboard was already quite an eye-catcher in its original black, but we may just have to give the edge to this new white version with lime green accents, which is now exclusively available for pre-order from Amazon. Of course, the color is the only thing that's changed here, with the keyboard still sporting the same slim, arched design, the same tiny 2.4GHz USB transmitter and, unfortunately, the same $59.95 price tag. Still no exact release date just yet, but the keyboard will apparently start shipping out sometime in June.
Sexy..
Actually, coming from Microsoft, who don't often do sexy (I say this typing on a Microsoft keyboard :P ) this is really sexy..
Steady Now...
@Lord Vader
STAY ON TARGET!
@New Reformation. That phrase cost me a whole death star, why would you bring that up? You know more than 2 million stormtroopers died that day
@sshole Microsoft keyboard and mice are not sexy, they are for sure one of the best out there.
@Lord Vader
And did you know any of their names? NO! That is why you were such a poor manager. Your boss had to DIE before you got a promotion. You need to stop Jedi Mind tricking yourself into thinking that you are/were some great Dark Lord. Don't pander to your own weak mind.
Yesssss. Let the hate flow through you New Reformation. It will bring into the darkside...
@Lord Vader I heard the dark side has cookies
@Lord Vader
I would have said "Burn" but your arms and legs have already been completely melted off.
@Exbloder Oreos, I've heard.. without the cream in the middle.
@New Reformation. Yes, your hate has served you well, now strike me down, and make your last step into the Dark Side
@sshole I gotta say, though. Seen a lot of white plastic hardware over the years. Nothing that fingers and palms touch stays "sexy" for long.
@sshole
Agreed, after 6 years with an MS keyboard im ready to replace mine, this one is just too old. i want something with quieter keys, i'll wait for a review, but MS is at the top of my list for keyboards and mice, i know they are conferrable and they last a long time, thats enough for me.
@sshole
I've been using Microsoft hardware since they first brought one out in the 90s, and I'll say they are getting better. the only one I;'ve had trouble with is the paint job on the Starck mouse. That was sad, considering how much I like that one.
And yes, I have 4 mice and 3 keyboards by Microsoft at the moment, including their most expensive desktop set.
Still I wonder if the Arc is enough to make a typing difference.
@Treefingers "Nothing that fingers and palms touch stays "sexy" for long."
Are you sure about that? And how long is long?? I am starting to get worried :(
@sshole: Just put your keyboard in the oven, 5 minutes on low, same effect.
@Lord Vader
Bleep bleep-bleep wheew!
@sshole
Love it...but the deal breaker is that "rocker" arrow key button.
Personally, I favor integrated arrow keys...not stand alone, as is the case for most keyboards. My favorite (no longer available) keyboard...perfect for FPS games for folks who prefer to use arrow keys instead of WASD:
http://images.creative.com/iss/images/corporate/artwork/hirs_Fatal1ty_Keyboard_pdt.jpg
Sadly, this new MS keyboard's single-button rocker is the deal breaker for me. Otherwise, I'd buy several...since I am down to my last Fatal1ty model...of which I have had three...which replaced two when thing thing was called the Auravision Eluminx. Yeah, I am tough on keyboards. :) Well, actually, this model is pretty delicate...and I am dying to find my next replacement.
Here's hoping MS drops that rocker switch in favor of integrated arrow keys.
@Treefingers
Well especially if you are a tree with fingers, things would get trashed with you pawing at them.
Hang on, I'm writing to a tree in a comment thread. This is far more interesting than the keyboard
@coolpal heh... wasn't clear apparently. I just meant that everyone I know who once bought white hardware (say, a white Macbook or my microwave) is currently rocking slightly yellowish hardware. Looks kinda gross. Harder, glossier plastics seem more resistant, though (like piano keys and Wiimotes).
And not to worry, I'm sure whatever sexy bits you've had your fingers on are an exception. ;)
@Cy Starkman
Almost. It's my fingers that are the trees. Each finger its own tree! Imagine the carnage! Lovemaking is awkward and learning piano has become very expensive!
@sshole Where's the big white wort you guys through on the Apple arc mouse? Should fit right in here as a wrist pad.
@darkmax
Agreed after various gaming Mouses I have always came back to the tryed and true Microsoft optical.
@Lord Vader Stop using my line and bow to your master insolent fool.
I
@Wowzers
Why did my comment get cut off????
@Wowzers My lightsaber slipped
@Wowzers Did you put in carrots (greater-than of less-than sign)? That will cut it off.
Anyways, is it just this color that's exclusive to amazon or the only place you can buy the keyboard at all, including black? It doesn't make it very clear in the article or source.
@engadgetcomexcludeengadget
That must be the reason, I used a carrot! So my parents telling me vegetables were good was a lie all along...
@engadgetcomexcludeengadget
Oh, by the way, you have a long name.
@Lord Vader Vader FTW!
Better (for me) than Natural Keyboards, for sure.
@zangetsu2 what? Microsoft Natural Keyboard is THE best keyboard out there!!!
@zangetsu2 I love my natural KB... it's being going strong for over 4 years now.. still love it.
OH god. It looks sexy.
@jhy2139
Would be better if it had blank keys for the touch typists. THAT would be sexy.
i have an Arc mouse and i love it. if i needed another wireless keyboard i would bet this in black.
@kojo87
I picked up the black one from Best Buy. I like it, particularly the tiny dongle. It has good range. The arrow hat is kinda funky to use, but for gaming I'm a WASD'er anyways. The other thing that erks me is the lack of num pad keys even though they supplied the keyboard with an Fn key. Looks like no ASCII coming from this keyboard.
Uh... why are so many peripherals not bluetooth yet... especially these higher end peripherals. They're premium, so shouldn't they use premium tech? Especially annoys me when it comes to Microsoft's bluetrack mice, they're all wireless, but I think all but one supports bluetooth (I'd assume that bluetrack and bluetooth would go hand in hand or something like that).
@SDreamer i'm not sure, but I think bluetooth is less reliable andit drains the battery much faster. Therefore you have to charge it more often
@SDreamer
I think Bluetooth operates on 2.4 ghz and many wireless routers and phones do as well.
If that isn't the case, I KNOW RF has a longer range than Bluetooth. I can control my Xbox 360 from across the house, but I can't leave the room when I have my bluetooth headphones on.
@BigJayDogg3 - it takes more power to send more information. Thus, your low-data-rate xbox controller can go further than your audio, which goes further than (on the same power) video would. Also, bluetooth comes in different power levels. My BT mouse works out to a few offices away from mine.
@SDreamer
Bluetooth is a short-range, short-burst technology. Not suited for long term use. Besides, its a REAL pain when you have bluetooth peripherals that become "un-paired" and you have to hunt for a wired mouse or keyboard to pair them again. Bluetooth also doesn't work outside of the OS.
Wireless dongles will ALWAYS be faster, not to mention the power draw and any outside OS functions (i.e booting to a CD or USB device)
@morcheeba
Fine, my DiNovo Mini (which uses bluetooth) won't operate at the distances my xbox 360 controller will.
Either way, Bluetooth is not a long range technology when compared to RF.
Sexy and finger prints won't be that visible compared to the black model.
@Markydore
But dirt will be much more visible. I use a white MS ergonomic keyboard at work, and a black Logitech keyboard at home. The home keyboard looks a lot cleaner, despite the office being a cleaner environment. Of course that might have something to do with the work keyboard being used a whole lot more too. Still....
Type from my totally comfortable arc keybaord.
I'd almost be tempted to get this if it weren't for that stupid d-pad replacement.
Having tried it at the local Best Buy (the black model), I do not really think it is very comfortable. Perhaps in the HTPC environment, on a couch, maybe, as a competitor to the DiNovo Edge (although the Edge still wins in looks to me), but for day to day use on a desk, I'd rather use my giant Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000.
Dang it! Why not the black one!!! Id try a black one for sure!
"unfortunately, the same $59.95 price tag"
Is that really too much?
Seems to be on par with lots of other quality wireless keyboards. The Apple wireless keyboard, for instance, is $69.