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Microsoft preps couch-oriented Arc Keyboard
updated 12:55 pm EST, Thu January 7, 2010
Shaped for lap use
Microsoft's hardware division has announced a new keyboard, the Arc. The model is intended mainly for couch surfers, as its curve is designed to conform to a person's lap. For the same reason it has been built to be lightweight, sacrificing features like a numeric pad in order to weigh less than a pound.
The Arc is completely wireless, connecting to a computer through a small 2.4GHz USB receiver. Both Mac and Windows systems are supported; Macs must be running Mac OS X 10.4 or later, while Windows PCs require XP, Vista or 7. The keyboard will first become available at American Best Buy stores on February 21st, at a price of $60.
What's missing is
01/07, 01:21pm reply
A built in trackpad. If you're couch surfing, that's the missing piece. Having to use a mouse is a pain. One keyboard that's like a laptop with a built in trackpad would be ideal.
Also, why don't they make it bluetooth? Using up a USB port doesn't seem to make any sense at all.
bjojade
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jun 2007
Swing...and a miss!
01/07, 01:41pm reply
WTF? So close and yet so far...for a second I was thinking, wow, they've actually come up with a good idea...
icewing
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 2008
Yeah well...
01/07, 01:52pm reply
No trackpad? No problem! Don't a significant number of Windows fans swear by keyboard navigation anyway?
jpellino
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 1999
L-A-M-E
01/07, 02:15pm reply
I am using a 12-year-old Compaq keyboard for the server terminal. It has a trackball on it.
Are these idiotic product designer insane? Maybe they are planning to use eye sight and blinking (blink or double-blink) as the pointing device.
Paul Huang
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 1999
and yet
01/07, 03:29pm reply
Many people were all agog over Apple's wireless 'small' keyboard when they released it last year, saying it was great for the couch...
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
RE: and yet...
01/07, 03:50pm reply
My thoughts exactly. Would be interesting to know what the comments would be if there was a shiny fruity logo plastered on this L-A-M-E keyboard.
And yes this would have been a bigger hit if there was a trackpad built in to it, but then some clown would complain that it's too big or something...
wrenchy
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 2009
The instant the small keyboard...
01/07, 05:33pm reply
The instant the small keyboard was introduced, I said 'wtf, without an integrated pointing device, it's pointless.'
If the trackpad made it too big, try the eraser head (definitely an acquired taste for most people).
By the way, the Magic Mouse is going to work like magic for orthopedic surgeons in a few months as people realize that the 'swipe' function is meant to swipe clean Magic Mouse user's wallets as they pay for their medical bills.
Paul Huang
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 1999
No trackpad, no problem.
01/07, 09:59pm reply
Trackpad, schmackpad, that's where a wireless mouse comes in. Bluetooth would have made sense, though, which is probably why they didn't use it.
thesearcher
Dedicated MacNNer
Joined: Mar 2002
My couch keyboard ...
01/08, 12:35am reply
... is a MacBook Pro!
JEB
Junior Member
Joined: May 2001
bluetooth
01/08, 11:26am reply
I've had several bluetooth mice and several wireless ones. Bluetooth mice just aren't reliable. Always seem to drop connections and lose their pairing for no reason.
luckyday
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 2008