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"30 Years of Microsoft Hardware\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMice-a-Palooza\nMore Microsoft mice than I've ever seen in one spot.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMicrosoft EasyBall for Kids\nThis mouse was designed just for kids. The giant yellow ball was a perfect control interface for their little hands. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDevelopers were so proud they signed this MIcrosoft mouse\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis Microsoft Mouse is so old is worked on a 286 computer\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAnd it was ready for action with OS2, too\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nYes Microsoft Once Made a Cordless Phone\nThere was a time in the late 1990's when tech companies were making corded and cordless phones that either came with or worked with your desktop PC. The trend did not last long.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMicrosofts stunning ArcTouch Mouse looks all the better with a designer cover\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMore designer Microsoft mice\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOne of Microsoft's first ergonomic keyboards\nThese early keyboards over emphasized the separation of the two sides of the keyboard. later models made it much more subtle\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis handpainted Microsoft ArcTouch mouse is one of only 30 in existence\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe hand-painted ArcTouch Mouse has a unique paint job.\nThe surface has the same kind of gleam as the hood of a freshly-painted car.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nArcTouch Mouse in cuvred mode\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOne of only 30\nAnd you can't buy it.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMore classic Microsoft Hardware\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis model of one of Microsoft's earliest and most popular mice made me smile\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMicrosoft has been making hardware for a long time. That\u2019s right \u2014 the company best known for its world-dominating operating system, Windows, has been spitting out gadgets for 30 years. \nAnd while they haven't always been pretty, some of these devices have become industry, business and household staples.\nDuring my recent trip to Microsoft\u2019s sprawling Redmond campus, I was led into a room that one might call the hardware vault. This relatively small conference room did not include every piece of hardware Microsoft has ever made, but it did offer an impressive collection and glimpses of more than a few classics.\nThere were many mice \u2014 who does not remember their first Microsoft Mouse? \u2014 some early ones, some new. Keyboards? Yes, a ton of them. Here and there, I also spotted a bunch of yellowing, older gear and a few things I\u2019ve never seen before. \nNoticeably absent was some of Microsoft\u2019s successful hardware: the Xbox (any generation) and the new Kinect. Also missing: Microsoft\u2019s misguided forays into sound cards and routers. Fortunately, I can still close my eyes and see them.\n\nSEE ALSO: Microsoft Research: Bringing Sexy Back\nMicrosoft is quite proud of its hardware history and some of its latest innovations. In recent years, it\u2019s done some impressive stuff with mice. The latest Explorers offer haptic feedback and, with new Windows 8 drivers, will allow you to scroll horizontally (if you\u2019ve seen the new Metro interface, this actually makes a lot of sense). \nMicrosoft Senior Manager Ben Reed told me that as the world moved to mobile computing (laptops now outsell desktops), a person\u2019s mouse has become \u201Ca vehicle of self-expression.\u201D To wit, Reed proudly showed off a collection of designer Wireless Mobile Mice Microsoft commissioned last year and some of the latest designs they just introduce in March. The limited-edition mice are only on sale for six months.\nAs he spoke he used what I consider the best Microsoft mouse ever made, the new wireless ArcTouch mouse. It\u2019s a device that literally changes shape to fit the curve of your hand.\nTo commemorate 30 years of hardware, Microsoft took 30 of those mice and had them hand-painted and then numbered. So now they\u2019re unique, not for sale and, yes, Mashable has one of them. \nCheck out some of the classic hardware and Microsoft\u2019s new gear in the gallery, and don\u2019t miss the 30th Anniversary Mouse. Later this week, we\u2019ll tell you how you can win it."^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2012/04/27/microsoft-hardware-surprises/>