Microsoft and Hardware

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouse/timeline.asp' target='_blank'>http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/m...se/timeline.asp</a><br /><br /></div>I'm building a new computer based on a Shuttle design to donate to my local church (a silent auction fundraiser for the children's ministry), and I decided I wanted to buy components to make it look as customized as possible. The Shuttle I purchased has a white/grey motif, so I bought a Microsoft Wireless Desktop keyboard and mouse combo that was down at my local Costco store. The best part? It's a limited edition "Ice" colour that is meant to be an accessory for an iMac, but it looks awesome with the computer case. Top that off with a silver Samsung 172N 17" LCD monitor, and you have a great looking computer!<br /><br />This got me thinking about Microsoft hardware. I tend to only buy Microsoft keyboards and mouses, and lately I've switched over to their networking gear and love it - slick setup, solid hardware, and it just looks damn good. The hyperlink above takes you to their "hardware history" timeline - I had no clue they've been at this for 20 years! Go check out the timeline - it's a very interesting look at what Microsoft has been doing in the hardware sector over the past two decades.<br /><br />So why doesn't Microsoft build a Pocket PC? There are some very valid reasons why they haven't, but for the sake of argument, if Microsoft built a Pocket PC, would you buy it?

[rocuf]

Microsoft has always been good at making computer addons and accessories. But I just dont think they have the talent in place to make whole computing platforms. However with the hardware success with the Xbox that can bring them into some new turnkey products. But we sure dont want them to addopt a apple model for their future. But maybe they need to come out with some more consumer level devises. Use to only use their keyboards and mice but I love my Logitech MX-700 wireless mouse, great for gaming

[ombu]

I can't live without Intellimouse Explorer!!!!

I voted yes although I'm sure MS will never sell a PPC under it's brand, that would go against their business.

Regards.

[sponge]

I'm one of the 2 people (at least now) that voted they don't like MS hardware. I don't know why, just something about it, like the Intellimouse Explorer, bleh.

[ledowning]

It would be kind of interesting to see if theycould build and market a PocketPC, although their track record doesn't speak too highly of their first time developments. It usually takes Microsoft several attempts at building a product before they get it right. Anyone remember Microsoft Bob?????

:roll: :roll:

[dlangton]

I've never liked the way Microsoft suddenly drops products. You'll buy a product, and 2 years later it's discontinued and not supported. Thing is, I like MS hardware - I have a Natural Keyboard Pro (best keyboard ever made) and an optical mouse. I've owned other MS mice. But the keyboard has been discontinued, support is being dropped. I've seen the same thing happen with various game controllers, or the original Intellimouse Explorer, or the MS sound system. I don't trust these guys.

[Jacob]

I don't have anything against or for MS hardware - I'd go to just about any brand if the price and features are right.

[TrojanUO]

It would be kind of interesting to see if theycould build and market a PocketPC, although their track record doesn't speak too highly of their first time developments. It usually takes Microsoft several attempts at building a product before they get it right. Anyone remember Microsoft Bob?????

:roll: :roll:


Don't confuse software with hardware, the vast majority of their hardware is pretty darn solid. Most of it just plain works. I've never had any particular complaints with any Microsoft hardware I've ever purchased, from keyboards, to mice to joysticks, etc... it's all pretty solid, and does what it's supposed to.

[Jonathan1]

Microsoft no.....Apple yessss. I'm guessing 40% of what sells PDA's is based on looks and Apple knows how to design a device. As for MS hardware. They only hardware I’ve ever been impressed with is their Joystick and mouse lines.

[lmtuxinc]

I've never liked the way Microsoft suddenly drops products. You'll buy a product, and 2 years later it's discontinued and not supported. Thing is, I like MS hardware - I have a Natural Keyboard Pro (best keyboard ever made) and an optical mouse. I've owned other MS mice. But the keyboard has been discontinued, support is being dropped. I've seen the same thing happen with various game controllers, or the original Intellimouse Explorer, or the MS sound system. I don't trust these guys.

Yeah, what about that microsoft cordless phone. I alway thought that that was cool, but they dropped it after a year.

Alan

[David Johnston]

What I love is how MS cleverly get their products just in the centre of the target consumer - not too childish, not too business like, but just right. None of the MS stuff I have looks out of place in my messy bedroom, nor does the same MS stuff look out of place in the new study at my parents house. It just all looks ordered and neat.

I love consistency. I'd rather use paper and pen rather than have mice and keyboards and other miscellani on my desktop from lots of different manufacturers - that just looks cheap... (cheapest components mixed together - urgh). Logitech Mouse, Cherry Keyboard, Trust speakers... urghh.

But then again, I'm a designer - consistency is my best friend :)

[jlc, just jlc]

I think MS has been in the hardware busienss longer than 20 yeaRS - didn't they have a Z80 SOFTCARD IN 1980?

jlc

t|c user

[James]

As many have already said, Microsoft's track record for non-HIDs absolutely sucks, and I've little reason to believe they wouldn't pull similar stunts with a Microsoft built PocketPC. Too bad, too, 'cause most of the stuff they've done in the past has been excellent, so they'd likely build an awesome one, but it would join the Cordless Phone and the rest of the bygone clan.

[guinness]

I'd buy their Bluetooth keyboard/mouse combo if it wasn't so expensive, but it does have the ability to connect to other Bluetooth devices. I used to have a Intellimouse, nothing wrong with it, but then moved on to an Logitech optical mouse and keyboard that has all the shortcut buttons and volume control.

[rmasinag]

I had an intellimouse explorer after I discovered the first wireless optical mouse(logitech) was great except for gaming. And i tired of the first wireless mouse made(logitech again) The MS mouse died after 8 months, crappy to me.
My First wireless ball mouse was sold to a friend and still works, its about 3 years old now. Nowadays I have the Porsche of mice, the Logitech, MX700, worth EVERY penny you throw at it, even Raven Shield gaming. 8O
I'm willing to tolerate winXP, not too sure about their hardware.

[mv]

I have a Natural Keyboard Pro (best keyboard ever made) and an optical mouse. I've owned other MS mice. But the keyboard has been discontinued, support is being dropped. I've seen the same thing happen with various game controllers, or the original Intellimouse Explorer, or the MS sound system. I don't trust these guys.

Yes, there is no keyboard like the natural keybord pro. I don´t know what the hell they where thinking. I don´t know what i will do when my keyboard dies.

[karen]

I'm building a new computer based on a Shuttle design !
What a cool idea. I'm planning on buidling something like that for an auction myself. I was thinking of a computer in a Barbie dream car or camper or something like that.

I've switched over to their networking gear and love it - slick setup, solid hardware, and it just looks damn good.

You mean it works for you? I bought their wireless networking gear to replace my dead Orinoco setup a while back. Set up was great, I loved the minimalist look as I have to put my AP in my living area for best peformance....

...but...The AP had to be rebooted several times a day, per MS tech support and the experiences of hundreds on the wireless newsgroups. As I'm on the road all the time, I can't rely on someone being there for the hourly reboots. So back to BestBuy it went and I had to instally a Linksys. The Linksys set up works great and looks terrible mounted in my hallway near my main entrance door. Ugh.

Karen

[rubberdemon]

I have their networking setup and it's been rock solid since the day it was installed. But who knows, they may have had spotty quality control... I do agree with their mouse fans - I have used MS mice for years and liked them - the Wheelmouse optical is my current champ - and their customer support was stellar. I had a wiring problem in my old mouse, emailed their customer support with my serial number and they mailed me a replacement mouse in days, no questions asked. And then followed up to see if I was satisfied. Made me thing nicer things about the Redmond giant at the time, at least until the next time my computer crashed...

[R K]

The MS mouse died after 8 months, crappy to me.


Maybe you can still call Microsoft for a replacement. I think their warranty on the mouse is about three years and they'll send one pretty quickly.

[chrisnian]

Intellimouse Explorer has a 5 year warranty... I love mine, and my Office keyboard, and my wireless kit. I love Microsoft hardware. :lol:

Ian :wink:

[NeilE]

We actually have a dedicated team of people in the Mobile Devices group who are specifically focused on hardware. These aren't software folks, they're real hardware people who run crazy CAD software that makes my head spin, can tell you the difference between a trans-flux capacitor and a wheely-deely spin bob in under a second, and run up and down the halls with glee when a parts company comes and shows us the latest in cool LCD displays.

While you won't see us building our own devices anytime soon (running assembly lines, managing manufacturing, getting the parts, stocking the inventory, etc. is just a big headache), we definitely work closely with our hardware partners on a wide range of projects. You see the work of our hardware team often, you just might not realise it!

[PetiteFlower]

I have nothing against MS but I am a big fan of Logitech so I'll probably stay with them for all my keyboard an mouse needs in the future. I looked at MS networking stuff but it wasn't on sale, so no go. But if they put out a device I liked and the price was right, why not?

[ctmagnus]

My Intellimouse is fast approaching six years of daily use. Of all the mice I've had, it's the only one I'd buy another one of.

[Marc Zimmermann]

I've never liked the way Microsoft suddenly drops products. You'll buy a product, and 2 years later it's discontinued and not supported.
Agreed, that's giving quite poor user experiences.

[wocket]

I've just finished putting together a shuttle system myself. I first of all was going for the Microsoft Internet keyboard as I use one in work. But then saw the Logitech wireless keyboard and mouse bundle and got it instead and I love it. It's now all part of my home entartainment system and looks fantastic. Just about to order a Matrix-orbital (http://www.matrix-orbital.com) LCD Display for it :D

Oops got called away so this is an edit...

Design of a product is very important to a lot of people. Why do most computer manufacturers still insist on using cream or beige? We have a room full of iMacs which looks great compared to a room full of beige towers.

[rlobrecht]

Design of a product is very important to a lot of people. Why do most computer manufacturers still insist on using cream or beige? We have a room full of iMacs which looks great compared to a room full of beige towers.

Beige towers don't exist anymore. Sony, Dell, HP, Gateway all use grey or silver cases. The only place I see beige towers (on a new machine) is white box machines.

[PhatCohiba]

Since this has become all about MS hardware, has anyone used the bluetooth mouse and keyboard? do you have to use ms's dongle or can you bind to other bluetooth devices? Pocket PCs?

-John

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

Since this has become all about MS hardware, has anyone used the bluetooth mouse and keyboard? do you have to use ms's dongle or can you bind to other bluetooth devices? Pocket PCs?

-John
I bought one and then was disappointed to find that it only worked with XP (my laptop is 2k)... returned it and then remember reading somewhere that you can't even ActiveSync to a PPC using the BT mouse/keyboard b/c it didn't support the right BT services? ...but perhaps that was misinformation from a few disgruntled posters.

[lurch]

(my) Rule of thumb: don't buy hardware from a software company... hardware department or no hardware department.

I do enjoy the MS mice, but a mouse is a far cry from a pocket pc.

[wocket]

Beige towers don't exist anymore. Sony, Dell, HP, Gateway all use grey or silver cases. The only place I see beige towers (on a new machine) is white box machines.

You are right for some of the big names all they do change the colour of the case and add a bit more plastic. But we still have the same form factor on most. CD/DVD facias floppy drives etc hav'nt really changed at all.

[Janak Parekh]

I had no clue they've been at this for 20 years! Go check out the timeline - it's a very interesting look at what Microsoft has been doing in the hardware sector over the past two decades.
Aha, I guess you never used the original Microsoft Mouse. I think we have one lying around somewhere. ;) Anyone else has used one of those mechanical beasts?

--janak

[Pat Logsdon]

I had one. It was beige, and still worked as of 2 years ago, when I threw it in a drawer. It's probably still in there, along with the 14.4k winmodem ISA card and the Colorado Tape Drive. I suspect that it's doing something unspeakable to the Logitech Trackman with the Miami Vice-Teal trackball.

[wiredguy]

It would be kind of interesting to see if theycould build and market a PocketPC, although their track record doesn't speak too highly of their first time developments. It usually takes Microsoft several attempts at building a product before they get it right. Anyone remember Microsoft Bob?????

:roll: :roll:

Or how about Liquid Motion, Microsoft's attempt at Flash-like technology. Glad I didn't buy v1.0... they completely dropped it a few years back.

[Jonathon Watkins]

Aha, I guess you never used the original Microsoft Mouse. I think we have one lying around somewhere. ;) Anyone else has used one of those mechanical beasts?

Yup, got a few in a draw somewhere. I'm currently enjoying my Intimouse Explorer. It died on me last year, but MS sent me a new one straight away. No complaints from me. :) :)

[ctmagnus]

the Logitech Trackman with the Miami Vice-Teal trackball.

I still have one of those! :way to go:

[PhatCohiba]

I had no clue they've been at this for 20 years! Go check out the timeline - it's a very interesting look at what Microsoft has been doing in the hardware sector over the past two decades.
Aha, I guess you never used the original Microsoft Mouse. I think we have one lying around somewhere. ;) Anyone else has used one of those mechanical beasts?

--janak

After using my first optical ms mouse, I ran out to wallmart and bought one for every computer I uses, plus one for my mother ;-)

[Janak Parekh]

After using my first optical ms mouse, I ran out to wallmart and bought one for every computer I uses, plus one for my mother ;-)
Indeed, optical mice are great, but I was referring to this:

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/parekh/misc/original-microsoft-mouse.jpg

In any case, my current mouse is a Logitech MX700: both optical and cordless. It is the best mouse I have ever used. By far.

--janak

[aj-uk]

I don't think we're likely to see Microsoft PC's/Pocket PCs being sold to the end user. As part of Microsoft's defence against the anti-trust lawsuit, one of their saving factors was the fact that their operating systems are never sold to end users directly but through 3rd party vendors who bundle it with their hardware.

If Microsoft were to make a PC hardware and software and sell it directly to the end user they become liable for anti-trust lawsuits.