REDMOND, Wash. April 4, 2006 — In response to consumer demand for higher-performing peripherals at work or play, Microsoft Hardware is expanding its High Definition line of mouse products. Microsoft Corp. is relaunching its No. 1 best-selling mouse1, the Microsoft® Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse, to feature the company’s proprietary High Definition technology. Rounding out the line expansion are two new desktop mice — one optical and one laser. In keeping with Microsoft Hardware’s commitment to offering its customers the best in performance and value, the line now includes a High Definition notebook and desktop mouse for less than $30 (U.S.).2 Praised for responsiveness, precision and smoother tracking, Microsoft’s High Definition line continues to raise the bar for mouse performance.
“Since we launched our High Definition line just last September, we have sold over a million units,” said Rusty Jeffress, general manager of the Hardware Group at Microsoft. “We design our proprietary chip technology to provide our customers with the best possible performance so they enjoy their computing experiences no matter where they are.”
High Definition on the Go
For notebook users, the new Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse 3000 offers an upgraded version of the Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse, the No. 1 best-selling notebook mouse and overall best-selling mouse in the U.S. throughout 2005.1 Laptop users find themselves working in small spaces — from the seat of an airplane to a cramped coffee shop — where sometimes the only place to use their mouse is on a corner of the airplane tray or a small café table. With the updated High Definition technology, users will enjoy smooth and precise tracking regardless of the surface. In addition, this mouse has a smaller receiver than the previous version, which makes it more portable and easier to stow.
High Definition on the Desktop
For the desktop, the Wireless Laser Mouse 5000 features a five-button, ambidextrous design, a Magnifier button for real-time enlargement and editing of any section of the screen, and a Tilt Wheel that makes navigating and viewing detailed spreadsheets and documents even easier. The new Wireless Optical Mouse 2000 is an affordable high-performance mouse featuring High Definition Optical Technology, an ambidextrous design with silver accents and three buttons.
Microsoft’s High Definition Technology
Microsoft’s High Definition technology is two generations ahead of standard optical and laser mice and delivers unmatched advantages:3
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Improved responsiveness. With 1,000 dots per inch, all Microsoft High Definition mice deliver the right amount of responsiveness in relation to hand movement, requiring less hand motion in small spaces such as coffee tables or airplane trays.
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Greater precision. Microsoft High Definition mice capture 6,000 frames per second to accurately track hand movement and prevent stopping or skipping, even when moving very quickly. The mice are equipped with a state-of-the-art chip, developed by Microsoft, which requires less power and maximizes efficiency, delivering an average of more than six months of battery life for wireless mice.
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Smoother tracking. Proprietary Microsoft Intelligent Tracking System — the brains of the tracking technology that reads the information the sensor is relaying — means smoother tracking without interruptions or skipping, even over unique or uneven surfaces.
Pricing and Availability
Microsoft’s Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse 3000 is currently available, Wireless Laser Mouse 5000 will be available by late April 2006, and Wireless Optical Mouse 2000 will be available in June 2006, for the following estimated retail prices:2
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Wireless Laser Mouse 5000: $49.95 (U.S.)
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Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse 3000: $29.95 (U.S.)
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Wireless Optical Mouse 2000: $29.95 (U.S.)
About Microsoft Hardware
For more than two decades, the Hardware Group has employed innovative engineering, cutting-edge industrial design and extensive usability testing to create products of exceptional quality and durability that enhance the software experience and strengthen the connection between consumers and their PC. Microsoft Hardware leads the industry in ergonomic engineering, industrial design, and hardware/software compatibility, offering consumers an easier, more convenient and more enjoyable computing experience. Microsoft’s IntelliMouse® Explorer, which launched in 1999, earned a place on PC World.com’s list of “The 50 Greatest Gadgets of the Past 50 Years” as the first mainstream optical mouse that “brought gunk-free pointing devices” to a broad consumer base.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
1 The NPD Group/NPD Techworld (Jan. 1, 2005–Dec. 1, 2005)
2 Prices are U.S. estimated retail prices. Actual prices may vary.
3 Microsoft internal research, standard optical technology = mouse products with 0.35 microns or older CMOS technology.
Microsoft and IntelliMouse are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
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