Microsoft doesn't do a lot of hardware, but the stuff it does offer is usually pretty good, and the new range it had on display at a showcase in London today was no exception.

Because of the limited number of new devices, the event itself was a little pitiful, but what they did have was certainly worth noting.

The company seems have to have developed an affinity for curved keyboards, with the latest two being somewhere between an ergonomic 'split' keyboard and the more traditional rectangular layout.

Both the new Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 6000 and the Wireless Comfort Desktop 5000 use the 'Ergonomist Approved Comfort Curve' design, which seems to divide opinion as well as the keyboard.

The Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 6000 is particularly impressive, being very thin and light and includes a separate number pad as well.

For those who like the curved design, the Desktop 5000 was released earlier this month and goes for around £70 while the Mobile Keyboard 6000 is due out early next month and should sell for about £80.

Also on display were two new mice - The Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000 and 6000 - both of which feature Microsoft's BlueTrack technology so that they can work on just about any surface.

Both use a really small USB receiver so you don't have to worry about a bulky dongle sticking precariously out the side of your laptop while using the mouse.

Both the multi-coloured 4000 series and the bigger, glossier 6000 are available now for £35 and £45 respectively.

Last but not least is the Lifecam Cinema webcam, a nifty looking auto-focus webcam that can capture in 720p HD and will look good atop just about any PC or laptop screen. The attractive design and high picture quality do come at a price though with the Lifecam Cinema selling for about £70.

We had a chance for a few minutes with each of the devices and all of them seemed to be very good, the picture quality of the webcam was great, the mice were solid and the keyboards had very nice tactile keys - if only Microsoft could design and make its operating systems as well.

18 Sep 2009