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We look at the latest portable keyboard and mouse devices from Microsoft for Windows 8
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Windows 8 has a strong focus on touch-enabled interfaces, and a touch-enabled Windows tablet is easy to use—but there are times when a keyboard and a mouse are really handy.
To fill that gap, Microsoft launched on Friday some new portable accessories, and they’re all great. Aside from some completely new designs such as the Wedge keyboard and mouse, there were also some retreads such as the updated version for the Windows 8 Touch Mouse. We couldn’t take them home for a detailed review, but a short hands-on left us satisfied. Here’s our take on the three completely new designs:
Wedge Mobile Keyboard
Pros: Sleek, comfortable
Cons: Expensive
The keyboard comes with a protective rubber cover, and switches off automatically when the cover is on it. The case folds into a sturdy stand for your tablet too. The keyboard isn’t cramped and the keys are comfortable to use, though at ₹ 4,935 it’s a little expensive.
Wedge Touch Mouse
Pros: Ultra-portable, long battery life
Cons: Might be uncomfortable for some users
The mouse automatically powers down when it is paired with the computer in sleep mode, extending the effective battery life of the mouse. At ₹ 3,015, it’s a good buy, as it could become your regular PC mouse as well as a travel companion, but check it out before you buy it to make sure the grip works for you.
Sculpt Touch Mouse
Pros: Value for money
Cons: A little bulky
Unlike the Touch Mouse which Microsoft introduced a few years ago, the Sculpt Touch doesn’t have a full touch surface, so it doesn’t support multi-touch gestures. At ₹ 2,765, it’s reasonable, but if you’re comfortable using the Wedge Touch Mouse, that’s worth spending the extra ₹ 250 on.
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