Microsoft Modern Keyboard and Mouse Are Now Available

Two years later, Microsoft is finally selling a Windows Hello-compatible peripheral, the awkwardly-named Microsoft Modern Keyboard with Fingerprint ID. The Microsoft Modern Mouse is now available as well.

“The Microsoft Modern Keyboard with Fingerprint ID i a premium quality keyboard that brings the convenience and security of Windows Hello fingerprint sign-in to any PC running Windows 10,” Microsoft’s Jennifer Thompson explains. “And the Microsoft Modern Mouse is a sleek simple complement to the keyboard.”

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The Bluetooth-based Modern Keyboard with Fingerprint ID and Modern Mouse closely resemble the Surface Keyboard and Surface Mouse that Microsoft shipped last Fall alongside (and with) Surface Studio. In fact, they’re almost identical. But the Modern Keyboard with Fingerprint ID, as its name suggests, has one unique improvement over Surface Keyboard: A “hidden” fingerprint reader for Windows Hello.

I like that feature—using a fingerprint reader is my favorite way to sign-in to Windows 10—but I wish these devices weren’t so non-ergonomic. Or that Microsoft would at least make ergonomic versions too.

Anyway, they’re available now at the Microsoft Store in the US, Canada, and China. The Microsoft Modern Keyboard with Fingerprint ID costs $130, while the Microsoft Modern Mouse will set you back $50.

 

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Conversation 31 comments

  • Polycrastinator

    28 July, 2017 - 2:43 pm

    <p>I wish the keyboard wasn't quite so expensive, I would consider one for work if it was half the price, at least for a test run. But at that price, when there's a good chance I'll go back to my clacky mechanical keyboard instead? No.</p>

  • SvenJ

    28 July, 2017 - 4:18 pm

    <p>$130 may seem high, but it is cheaper than a Surface keyboard with fingerprint reader. I have one of those and love the convenience. </p>

    • Waethorn

      29 July, 2017 - 12:56 am

      <blockquote><a href="#154952"><em>In reply to SvenJ:</em></a></blockquote><p>Both are too expensive.</p>

  • Waethorn

    28 July, 2017 - 5:13 pm

    <p>These are all too expensive.</p><p><br></p><p>It used to be that you could get a quality Microsoft Bluetrack cordless mouse and keyboard set for around $50.</p>

    • Corbey

      Premium Member
      29 July, 2017 - 1:00 pm

      <p>You can still get a Microsoft wireless keyboard and mouse for around $50, just not this one.</p><p><br></p>

      • Waethorn

        29 July, 2017 - 2:55 pm

        <blockquote><a href="#155206"><em>In reply to Corbey:</em></a></blockquote><p>I said a "quality" model. The prices have gone way up. And you can't get Bluetrack models anymore, which offered far better power efficiency and DPI. The new models are crap compared to the older, cheaper models. I'll be switching to Logitech or other brands in my store from now on. Logitech has bundle units that are still in the $25 price range whereas the same quality from Microsoft costs twice as much. I'm actually looking at some off-brands too. Rapoo has some really nice-looking sets, some with aluminum keyboards. This is another business that Microsoft is pricing like Apple, but they'll lose customers over it.</p>

        • Ukumio

          Premium Member
          29 July, 2017 - 10:20 pm

          <blockquote><a href="#155228"><em>In reply to Waethorn:</em></a></blockquote><p>All but the $15 mice support BlueTrack, so no idea what you're on about.</p>

  • Waethorn

    28 July, 2017 - 5:14 pm

    <p>Whatever happened to Bluetrack technology anyway?</p>

    • Ukumio

      Premium Member
      29 July, 2017 - 10:14 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#154977"><em>In reply to Waethorn:</em></a></blockquote><p>I believe it's still in use, they just don't advertise it anymore because most consumers don't care I guess. The last three mice I've gotten from Microsoft all had BlueTrack so I think its just a Microsoft staple now.</p><p><br></p><p>EDIT: Indeed BlueTrack is used by the mouse, they just don't advertise it as shown in this Modern Mouse video: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eI0klTsqnA&quot; target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eI0klTsqnA</a></p&gt;

  • wspaw

    Premium Member
    28 July, 2017 - 5:59 pm

    <p>As I need a keyboard now, I would probably buy this immediately if it was backlit. But, alas, another premium product at a premium price missing a key feature.</p>

  • skane2600

    28 July, 2017 - 7:08 pm

    <p>Who would have thought that a PCjr-inspired keyboard would be considered "modern".</p>

    • Waethorn

      29 July, 2017 - 12:55 am

      <blockquote><a href="#155015"><em>In reply to skane2600:</em></a></blockquote><p>Hipster idiots that aren't old enough to know what that is.</p>

  • dcbCreative

    28 July, 2017 - 10:25 pm

    <p>Nice looking keyboard… …Shame it has no backlight option.</p>

  • MutualCore

    29 July, 2017 - 3:16 pm

    <p>How is the fingerprint sensor 'hidden'. It's right there on the keyboard! Typical MS marketing fail.</p>

    • Ukumio

      Premium Member
      29 July, 2017 - 10:07 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#155230"><em>In reply to MutualCore:</em></a></blockquote><p>I assume its "hidden" because it looks like just another key rather then being an obvious feature, it'd be quite easy to miss if someone came up to your PC. I do agree that its not entirely hidden, but its not completely obvious either.</p>

    • Wolf

      Premium Member
      30 July, 2017 - 12:33 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#155230"><em>In reply to MutualCore:</em></a></blockquote><p>And what's the point anyway? Seems a little silly to "hide" it in amongst the other keys.</p>

      • Ukumio

        Premium Member
        31 July, 2017 - 5:32 pm

        <blockquote><a href="#155692"><em>In reply to Wolf:</em></a></blockquote><p>Because not everyone wants a fingerprint reader that is obvious and says "Look at me!!!".</p><p><br></p><p>There's a trend of fingerprint readers being discreet, such as being implemented in power buttons or the home button, so this just seems to be following that trend.</p><p><br></p><p>It also means you don't have to move your finger away from the keys in order to use it.</p>

  • Tony Barrett

    30 July, 2017 - 7:57 am

    <p>Sorry, double take, HOW MUCH for a keyboard and mouse. Un F-N believable.</p>

    • warren

      30 July, 2017 - 3:20 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#155505"><em>In reply to ghostrider:</em></a></blockquote><p><br></p><p>That's how much premium Bluetooth keyboards sell for these days.</p><p>Apple sells a similar keyboard, without a fingerprint reader, for the same price.</p><p><br></p>

      • cuppettcj

        02 August, 2017 - 2:19 pm

        <blockquote><a href="#155817"><em>In reply to warren:</em></a></blockquote><p>If that's the case, then I will gladly stick with my old-fashioned wired keyboard and mouse for a little more than 1/10th the price.</p>

        • Minok

          02 August, 2017 - 2:32 pm

          <blockquote><a href="#163490"><em>In reply to cuppettcj:</em></a></blockquote><p>This keyboard is also usable in wired fashion. </p><p><br></p><p>That prices is what they cost from many makers for that type of materials and build quantity… a cheap plastic keyboard is always an option.</p>

  • Tommy

    31 July, 2017 - 5:58 pm

    <p>100% I want this in an ergonomic variant. </p>

  • Thayios

    02 August, 2017 - 12:16 pm

    <p>I need ergonomic, neat feature but until then I'll be passing the time with my Sculpt/MX Master.</p>

    • Allen

      02 August, 2017 - 2:31 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#163467"><em>In reply to Thayios:</em></a> I'm with you there, I've use an ergonomic keyboard for 10 or more years, and, while I would really like the fingerprint reader, I suspect I can continue on without having one. But when they do – – -?</blockquote><p><br></p>

  • jwillis84

    02 August, 2017 - 1:04 pm

    <p>That bluetooth mouse looks terribly close to the former one which had a terrible (non BLE) chipset and constantly lost pairing with its (one) slot for pairing. I still own one and it is a sunk cost. The Logitech M557 (marathon family) bluethooth BLE mouse is what I bought to replace it and its compatible with everything and runs on one set of batteries for 12 months. The microsoft plastic shapes are nice.. almost Apple like.. but the choices in hardware.. or testing of the product electronics before mass production.. is usually lacking in the extreme. Please hire more testers!@</p>

  • KingPCGeek

    Premium Member
    02 August, 2017 - 1:44 pm

    <p>They both look like items that were meant to be seen but not used, I could not imagine using that tiny keyboard with no wrist support all day long. The mouse is way too flat and needs thumb buttons.</p>

  • BMcDonald

    02 August, 2017 - 2:41 pm

    <p>I sense this will be dead in the water at that price point. </p><p><br></p><p>There are a lot better options out there from less than 129 dollars (USD). I can only assume it will be closer to 150 or 160 here in Canada.</p><p><br></p><p>B</p>

  • Minok

    02 August, 2017 - 2:41 pm

    <p>The amazon reviews seem to indicate the fingerprint reading speed is not modern performance – its slow, so much so that typing ones password is likely faster. Anyone had similar experiences?</p>

  • Andrew Jackson

    Premium Member
    03 August, 2017 - 4:14 pm

    <p>I have been looking to buy a Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic keyboard (<span style="color: rgb(47, 47, 47);">L5V-00001) which was recently recommended on The WireCutter but it seems to be out of stock at most 'reputable' sellers – including directly from Microsoft.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(47, 47, 47);">I wonder if Microsoft is getting ready to announce a new Ergonomic keyboard?</span></p>

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