After releasing the service pack for Vista, Microsoft (News - Alert) has now released its latest high-end keyboard and mouse desktop set, the Wireless Laser Desktop 7000, designed to complement the Windows Vista operating system and its Windows Aero graphical user interface.

 

Jeff Price, senior director in the Windows Group at Microsoft, said, “We are thrilled to see the simplicity and beauty of the Windows Vista Aero experience conveyed in the Wireless Laser Desktop 7000. With the smoked translucent border and floating keys, this keyboard is a true extension of the dynamic design of Windows Vista.”

 

The desktop set includes a rechargeable mouse, an Aero-inspired smoked translucent border, an ultra-thin Comfort Curve keyboard, quiet touch keys, and “floating.” It also provides one-touch access to users' most-used Web sites, files and folders. Much like a car stereo's preset buttons, favorites are programmed when a user pushes and holds a key to assign it to the current destination.

 

With a slight 6-degree curve, the 7000's Comfort Curve design encourages a more natural typing position. It also features instant access to Windows Flip 3D to take advantage of Aero's multilayer visuals. Complementing the keyboard, the design of the included Wireless Laser Mouse 7000’s horizontal charging station base unit has a battery status indicator. Microsoft says that over three years of time, a rechargeable mouse can reduce a user's battery consumption by up to 80 percent.

 

To counter the interference in crowded wireless environments with multiple computers, the Desktop 7000 also features advanced 2.4GHz wireless frequency-hopping technology. It also provides a range of about 30 feet and features a plug-and-play transceiver.

 

The company has also introduced the economy-priced Digital Media Keyboard 3000, an ultra-thin wired keyboard also designed to optimize Vista's features. It also allows My Favorites keys, zoom, Flip 3D, photos, Windows Media Player and the Windows start button.

 

The 3000 will be available in June for a suggested retail of $29.95. The Wireless Laser Desktop 7000 will be available in April for a suggested retail of $129.