Microsoft Intros New Notebook Accessories

by Xavier on March 10, 2009

Microsoft’s announced the USB-powered Notebook Cooling Base. The company is also adding some color to the folding Arc Mouse.

Microsoft says it’s introducing more mobile accessories because notebooks are only growing in popularity. Consumers are buying three times more notebooks than desktops at retail, according to NPD Group.

The Arc Mouse can be ordered in deep olive green, marine blue, eggplant purple and frost white. They are available now at Amazon.com and will be sold at major retailers later this month for $49.95.
microsoft-arc-mouse_lg

The Notebook Cooling Base will retail for $29.95 and start shipping in July.

microsoft-cooling-base

Tags: accessories

Comments

Steve Silverwood

The ArcMouse looks ridiculous. Can't imagine how it must feel but I don't think it would fit my 51-year-old hand too well.

As for the cooling base, I found a very simple alternative. Cyberguys.com has a pair of little adhesive "feet" that fold out in two positions depending on desired angle. See http://tinyurl.com/cecynk for details. Cost is about US$11. Since they become a part of the laptop, it's impossible -- even for me! -- to forget them.

Or for the really frugal, take a piece of scrap angle iron and wrap it with duct tape so it doesn't scratch your desktop.

Either approach leaves plenty of room for the fans in my several laptops of varying ages to circulate the air quite nicely.

//Steve//

ChrisTheFeral

Generally, I like Microsoft's peripherals, but this arc mouse looks sooooooo uncomfortable, gah, I can imagine the feeling of using it.

Suppose I should try it before I judge it, but there is not where to put my thumb.