Most people would know Microsoft to be a software company, but they do have some pretty good hardware peripherals for the everyday computer user as well. I remember Microsoft’s early foray into the world of computer peripherals, where their ergonomic keyboard was split down the middle in a contoured manner – great for those who do plenty of typing in front of the screen each day, but not so conducive when you’re a hardcore Quake player, having bound a bunch of keys to selected weapons that are separated by a plastic chasm in the middle. Well, this time round, Microsoft has released its latest Wireless Comfort Desktop 5000 series that will bring together the Microsoft Comfort Curve keyboard layout complete with a soft-touch palm rest.

The keyboard boasts design elements that will further enhance its look and feel, featuring an updated soft-touch palm rest, low-profile quiet touch keys and a contoured, compact shape which ought to find a place on any desk. It won’t be complete without the Wireless Mouse 5000 though, where this pointing device comes with rubber side grips and an ambidextrous shape that will cater to both lefties as well as right handers, boasting Microsoft’s BlueTrack Technology that offers a wider array of options when it comes to using the mouse on various surfaces compared to regular optical and laser mice. The mouse and keyboard will be hooked up wirelessly to your computer through a reliable 2.4GHz mini-transceiver which has a working radius of 30 feet.

The Wireless Comfort Desktop 5000 will be out later this August, retailing for $79.95. Of course, you can place a pre-sale order on sites such as Amazon.com, where it will ship the moment it is officially released. Each purchase will be accompanied by a worldwide three-year limited hardware warranty from Microsoft. Bear in mind this targets office drones and not gamers!

Press Release