Microsoft Quietly Unveils Modern Keyboard and Mouse

Microsoft has quietly introduced a new keyboard, the Microsoft Modern Keyboard, which features a Fingerprint ID key for Windows Hello sign-ins. There’s also a new Modern Mouse coming too.

There’s been no official announcement that I can find: I only discovered this because I get YouTube notifications on my phone for some reason, and Microsoft uploaded three videos just now. And one of them is for the Microsoft Modern Keyboard with Fingerprint ID.

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As you can see, the Microsoft Modern Keyboard looks virtually identical to the Microsoft Surface Keyboard that debuted last fall with the Surface Studio. It has the same look and feel, the same aluminum top cover, and the same basic key layout.

But there are two key differences: the Microsoft Modern Keyboard includes a special Fingerprint ID key, as noted. And it can work in either wired or wireless mode; that Surface keyboard is wireless (Bluetooth) only.

In addition to the keyboard, Microsoft has also introduced a new Microsoft Modern Mouse that looks identical to the Surface Mouse. In this case, literally. I see no difference at all between these mice.

And then there’s the new Microsoft Arc Mouse, which we did know about previously because it debuted at the Surface Laptop event last month. This one features a sleeker , curvier design than the older Arc mice but still folds flat for travel.

Not sure why they were introduced this way, but there you go.

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Conversation 39 comments

  • Polycrastinator

    15 June, 2017 - 3:55 pm

    <p>What's the feel of the previous version like? Similar to typing on a Surface Book/laptop, or is it pretty far from that?</p>

  • Breaker119

    Premium Member
    15 June, 2017 - 3:56 pm

    <p>They need to give us the same keyboard style, but ergo, and the mouse has no navigational buttons/gestures. I guess they're not for me. They look great, though, from a styling perspective..</p>

    • matsan

      15 June, 2017 - 4:53 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#126021"><em>In reply to Breaker119:</em></a></blockquote><p>"form over function must prevail" Book of Ive 1:2</p>

  • wbhite

    Premium Member
    15 June, 2017 - 3:57 pm

    <p>I haven't used one of these new MS keyboards yet, but they look like the typing experience would be similar to that of a standard Mac keyboard, which I find completely terrible. Are these any better?</p>

  • cybrtitan

    Premium Member
    15 June, 2017 - 4:00 pm

    <p>hmm.. That looks about what I want for when I dock my surface .. How was the typing experience on it</p>

    • Stokkolm

      16 June, 2017 - 8:13 am

      <blockquote><a href="#126023"><em>In reply to cybrtitan:</em></a></blockquote><p>I'm sure the typing experience is equivalent to the Surface Book keyboard's typing experience, which is marvelous.</p>

  • JacobTheDev

    Premium Member
    15 June, 2017 - 4:07 pm

    <p>I'd love one of those keyboards if it came in an ergonomic variety. Fingerprint sensor on the keyboard is a very cool idea!</p>

  • rameshthanikodi

    15 June, 2017 - 4:07 pm

    <p>i'm kinda mad that Microsoft seems to have discontinued all of their mice except for the arc touch and the comfort mouse. It's a shame because I loved the more unique mice they used to make like the touch mouse and the sculpt touch, which I use now.</p>

    • Spineless

      15 June, 2017 - 5:39 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#126026"><em>In reply to rameshthanikodi:</em></a></blockquote><p>Microsoft has essentially given the mouse market to Logitech</p>

      • hrlngrv

        Premium Member
        16 June, 2017 - 1:34 am

        <p><a href="#126059"><em>In reply to Spineless:</em></a></p><p>Dunno, I've been using MSFT mice with desktop and laptop for almost 20 years myself. My 1st mouse was a 3-button Logitech one, late 1980s, needed a speckled metal mouse pad to work, and GAWD did I come to hate using the thing; OTOH, way back then I had to write my own configuration files for how the mouse would work with character mode software, and that was ideal.</p>

      • YouWereWarned

        16 June, 2017 - 2:50 pm

        <blockquote><a href="#126059"><em>In reply to Spineless:</em></a></blockquote><p>And that is a good thing. Logitech makes great stuff.</p>

  • James Rainey

    15 June, 2017 - 4:20 pm

    <p>Hoping for an Ergonimic Option.</p><p><br></p><p>Now showing as "Coming Soon" at the Microsoft.com Hardware page for Keyboards for $129 US.</p>

    • Waethorn

      15 June, 2017 - 5:05 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#126038"><em>In reply to James Rainey:</em></a></blockquote><p>Seriously?!? $129USD for a KEYBOARD!?!</p><p><br></p><p>That is the most expensive keyboard in the world!!</p><p><br></p><p>(Steve Ballmer moment)</p>

      • SvenJ

        15 June, 2017 - 8:07 pm

        <blockquote><a href="#126052"><em>In reply to Waethorn:</em></a> Same price as the new Mac keyboard. Less than the iPad keyboards.</blockquote><p><br></p>

        • Waethorn

          17 June, 2017 - 12:35 pm

          <blockquote><a href="#126099"><em>In reply to SvenJ:</em></a></blockquote><p>And I wouldn't buy any of them.</p>

  • Spineless

    15 June, 2017 - 4:52 pm

    <p>I detest all of the current Microsoft mice. I used to love them, but then they went plaid. Now none of them are comfortable for me, and it's not like my hands changed size. </p>

    • Mestiphal

      16 June, 2017 - 4:55 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#126044"><em>In reply to Spineless:</em></a></blockquote><p>My all time favorite was the Explorer mouse. And you're right, they all suck now, I am currently using the Logitech Performance Mouse Mx which is the closest match I can find to the old Microsoft Explorer</p>

  • Waethorn

    15 June, 2017 - 5:02 pm

    <p>Prices?</p><p><br></p><p>Come on. Necessary details….</p><p><br></p><p>/s</p>

  • Daekar

    15 June, 2017 - 5:08 pm

    <p>I love my arc mouse. Fantastic design, and really draws peoples' attention when I use it out in the wild.</p><p><br></p><p>I've been in the market for a new keyboard for a while, and would love to use the fingerprint button. Do we know if this keyboard is backlit?</p>

  • CaedenV

    15 June, 2017 - 5:59 pm

    <p>cant quite tell if that us micro USB or USB-C… really hope it is C</p>

    • glenn8878

      15 June, 2017 - 11:53 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#126061"><em>In reply to CaedenV:</em></a></blockquote><p>Yeah, looks like a Lightning connector. Wish it is USB-C, but can't be used for Surface Pro or Laptop without a dongle. Oh well. </p>

      • robsanders247

        Premium Member
        17 June, 2017 - 8:29 am

        <blockquote><a href="#126146"><em>In reply to glenn8878:</em></a></blockquote><p><br></p><p>That would depend on the other side of the connector. The connector going into your computer can still be USB-A.</p>

  • Corbey

    Premium Member
    15 June, 2017 - 8:16 pm

    <p>Doesn't look like it's back-lit either. Too bad.</p>

    • Nyghtfall

      15 June, 2017 - 11:26 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#126100"><em>In reply to Corbey:</em></a></blockquote><p>Yup, deal-breaker for me, too. I've used the Logiteh K740 for a few years now. I'm on my second one. Beautiful, slim, stylish design, built-in wrist-rest, back-lit keys, and fantastic response. I don't imagine I'll ever try anything else again.</p>

  • jboman32768

    Premium Member
    16 June, 2017 - 4:12 am

    <p>I have the previous bluetooth version of the keyboard – and it took a like while to adjust but I really like it now. One down side is that the oil from your fingers seems to be visible on it quite easily, and it always starts up with the numlock off for some reason. </p>

    • Delmont

      16 June, 2017 - 9:36 am

      <blockquote><a href="#126158"><em>In reply to jboman32768:</em></a></blockquote><p>My keyboard always starts up with the Numlock off too. I should stop being lazy and Google to see if there is a switch for this. How do you like the key travel? </p>

      • Narg

        19 June, 2017 - 2:25 pm

        <blockquote><a href="#126182"><em>In reply to Delmont:</em></a></blockquote><p>If using Windows 10, there is a power feature you need to turn off to make the numlock stay one after booting/rebooting. Right click Start, "Power Options", "Additional Power Settings", "Choose what the power buttons do", uncheck the "Turn of fast startup (recommended") and save settings. Ta-da!</p>

  • Maelstrom

    16 June, 2017 - 4:47 am

    <p>Wired or wireless and&nbsp;a fingerprint scanner… Too bad it isn't an ergonomic keyboard à la Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Desktop.</p>

    • pbeiler1

      Premium Member
      16 June, 2017 - 10:32 am

      <blockquote><a href="#126161"><em>In reply to Maelstrom:</em></a></blockquote><p>I'd love to see a new version of the sculpt ergonomic desktop that doesn't require a dongle. </p>

  • burog25c

    16 June, 2017 - 5:02 am

    <p>Kinda reminds me of my Logitech Solar keyboard, at least as far as thickness and probable key travel. Mind you, I like the solar option. The first one I had lasted several years with no need for a battery. On the other hand, this MS board looks pretty spiffy to me. </p>

  • Delmont

    16 June, 2017 - 9:34 am

    <p>Looks cool. For this price for me to buy: needs to be back-lit and Microsoft needs to offer an ergo slightly curved version like the Microsoft Comfort Curve Keyboard 3000. There is no way I'd spend $129 for a keyboard that isn't even back-lit. </p>

  • videosavant

    16 June, 2017 - 10:06 am

    <p>Is the keyboard backlit?</p>

  • bbold

    16 June, 2017 - 10:33 am

    <p>Why aren't these things backlit? I'm guessing because it would kill battery life for a wireless device such as this. They should include a detachable cord&nbsp;you can plug in to attach to constant power and include backlit option, with the option to unattach it and go wireless as well. Giving us both options wouldn't have hurt anything, except maybe raised the price.</p>

  • kmfurr

    Premium Member
    16 June, 2017 - 11:50 am

    <p>Instead of being made with <span style="color: rgb(84, 84, 84);">Alcantara fabric, it's made with Rich Corinthian Leather.</span></p>

  • Dashrender

    Premium Member
    16 June, 2017 - 2:24 pm

    <p>I'm sure it's just me, but the new mouse looks hideous!</p>

  • robincapper

    17 June, 2017 - 8:05 am

    <p>I hope they do a Sculpt set with the fingerprint reader. Microsoft converted me to use split ergo keyboards and no way I would go back to the straight ones given a choice</p>

  • Narg

    19 June, 2017 - 2:22 pm

    <p>I love the keys and their travel/feel on keyboards like this. But I must have separate media control buttons, and a few macro buttons. Still waiting for _that_ perfect keyboard to appear.</p>

  • stephen888

    13 September, 2017 - 6:12 pm

    <p><span style="color: rgb(43, 45, 50);">Microsoft has quietly unveiled the&nbsp;</span><span style="color: inherit; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Modern Mouse</span><span style="color: rgb(43, 45, 50);">&nbsp;and&nbsp;</span><span style="color: inherit; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Modern Keyboard</span><span style="color: rgb(43, 45, 50);">, its next generation of Windows 10 input devices that match the latest&nbsp;s</span>urface Model<span style="color: rgb(43, 45, 50);">&nbsp;in design and finish.</span></p><p><a href="http://paulbengal0.affiliatblogger.com/6171655/what-you-need-to-know-about-free-steam-wallet-gift-codes&quot; target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">free steam wallet codes legit</a></p><p><br></p>

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