Tuesday, May 21st 2024

Microsoft Has Lost its Mind—$450 for a Keyboard, AI Button Included

May 21st, 2024 07:32 Discuss (73 Comments)

During yesterday's Microsoft Event, in addition to the new AI features and Surface devices, the company also announced its new Surface Pro Flex wireless keyboard, compatible with the Surface Pro 8, 9, 10, and 11 models. Officially called "Surface Pro Flex Keyboard with Slim Pen," the wireless keyboard is a $449.98 add-on keyboard that doesn't include Microsoft's Surface Slim Pen 2, only an indentation at the top of the keyboard to charge it. So, without a pen, what does the keyboard offer? According to Microsoft, up to 41 hours of continuous typing while detached, a dedicated Copilot key, and a touchpad with a vibration function for haptic feedback. The touchpad can have varying pressure levels, and applications can use it to build different functionalities.

Its thin and light design measures 289x221x5.25 mm with a weight of 340 g. The dedicated Copilot key summons the AI assistant and all the functionality Microsoft plans for its Windows 11 integration, which has been completely revamped for AI. The material choice is a Alcantara polyester-blend, which can be difficult for maintenance, and the keyboard is sold in either black or bright sapphire colors, becoming available on June 18th. Interestingly, given the name "Surface Pro Flex Keyboard with Slim Pen" and a price tag of $449.98, it is intriguing as to why Microsoft doesn't bundle the Surface Slim Pen 2 with the keyboard, as it is designed with a dedicated wireless charging indentation for the pen.

Source: Microsoft

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73 Comments on Microsoft Has Lost its Mind—$450 for a Keyboard, AI Button Included

#51

Vayra86

Dr. DroI am more of a Grok guy, but no thank you, I do just fine without AI and will remain doing just fine without AI. In fact, it's almost in my professional interest not to have AI on my stuff, considered I am a law student and the slightest sign of AI or plagiarism in any of my work is going to get me kicked to the curb and that's my livelihood on the line.

It won't be long before AI separates those that are truly intelligent from those that think they are because they can use a search bar or a prompt.

Its not quite unlike the current status quo wrt social media realities versus people that actually have perspective on the world based on knowledge and experience. The latter group will simply leave the first behind to wither in their own misery. Did I just summarize Cyberpunk 2077? Gosh, its almost like dystopia's around the corner...

Also has it occurred to anyone that now you have tape off TWO buttons while gaming on your regular KB to avoid unwanted shenanigans? All for the lovely price of 450 bucks, too.

#52

Space Lynx

Astronaut

Vayra86It won't be long before AI separates those that are truly intelligent from those that think they are because they can use a search bar or a prompt.

Its not quite unlike the current status quo wrt social media realities versus people that actually have perspective on the world based on knowledge and experience. The latter group will simply leave the first behind to wither in their own misery. Did I just summarize Cyberpunk 2077? Gosh, its almost like dystopia's around the corner...

Also has it occurred to anyone that now you have tape off TWO buttons while gaming on your regular KB to avoid unwanted shenanigans? All for the lovely price of 450 bucks, too.

I have to disagree with both of you on this, I personally have found AI to be helpful in my overall growth, I just see it as a quicker way to research things. It just is a more comprehensive search engine in my eyes with quick and easy to understand explanation

I personally like chatgpt.

#53

Dr. Dro

Vayra86It won't be long before AI separates those that are truly intelligent from those that think they are because they can use a search bar or a prompt.

Its not quite unlike the current status quo wrt social media realities versus people that actually have perspective on the world based on knowledge and experience. The latter group will simply leave the first behind to wither in their own misery. Did I just summarize Cyberpunk 2077? Gosh, its almost like dystopia's around the corner...

Also has it occurred to anyone that now you have tape off TWO buttons while gaming on your regular KB to avoid unwanted shenanigans? All for the lovely price of 450 bucks, too.

It's a really poor implementation too, basically pressing the Copilot key sends a signal for left shift + left Windows key + F23 (yes, F23 from big ole terminal keyboards), you should be able to remap or nuke that using SharpKeys or another keyboard remapper, but otherwise Microsoft introduced no keyboard key code of its own for Copilot. It's almost as if there's a vestigial acknowledgement that this is a bubble and will not get anywhere, best not to upset the status quo or something.

Space LynxI have to disagree with both of you on this, I personally have found AI to be helpful in my overall growth, I just see it as a quicker way to research things. It just is a more comprehensive search engine in my eyes with quick and easy to understand explanation

I personally like chatgpt.

In my medium, it's a big, yuuge no-no. It may work if you casually have to look up stuff (call me old fashioned but Wikipedia has served me my entire life for this purpose), but any research I do has to be categorized and come from recognized academic sources, or it's straight plagiarism. To make things worse, there's now "AI detectors" that a lot of people in academia use. If any of them as much as suspects that whatever is written is computer generated, your work is toast. All AI did was make my life harder, so far.

#54

Vayra86

Space LynxI have to disagree with both of you on this, I personally have found AI to be helpful in my overall growth, I just see it as a quicker way to research things. It just is a more comprehensive search engine in my eyes with quick and easy to understand explanation

I personally like chatgpt.

Each to their own, but make no mistake of the separation I talked about above here. Its real, its happening, and its hard to reverse. Its a bit like sticking to a diet. If you don't make the diet your lifestyle, you will regress.

I like burgers too, doesn't mean its good for me.

In the longer term though, look at what fast food has done to society.
ChatGPT is no different. You'll be a fat, sedentary lazy bum that knows nothing, the ideal plaything of commerce, and probably spending the last few decades of your life in and out of hospitals.

#55

Space Lynx

Astronaut

Vayra86Each to their own, but make no mistake of the separation I talked about above here. Its real, its happening, and its hard to reverse. Its a bit like sticking to a diet. If you don't make the diet your lifestyle, you will regress.

I like burgers too, doesn't mean its good for me.

In the longer term though, look at what fast food has done to society.
ChatGPT is no different. You'll be a fat, sedentary lazy bum that knows nothing, the ideal plaything of commerce, and probably spending the last few decades of your life in and out of hospitals.

I disagree, its already helped enhance some of arguments on free will vs determinism, because I was able to have debates back and forth with chatgpt in real time, while also using primary source quotes to call out Chatgpt when i felt it was getting stuff wrong, I have had several cases where it has helped me grow, doesn't mean I am going to stop reading good books, etc. It is just a better search engine is all it is, just another tool for us to use.

Yes, some people will end up like you mention, but not all.

#56

remixedcat

only keyboard I'd pay 450 for is a nice midi controller!

#57

Vayra86

Space LynxI disagree, its already helped enhance some of arguments on free will vs determinism, because I was able to have debates back and forth with chatgpt in real time, while also using primary source quotes to call out Chatgpt when i felt it was getting stuff wrong, I have had several cases where it has helped me grow, doesn't mean I am going to stop reading good books, etc. It is just a better search engine is all it is, just another tool for us to use.

Yes, some people will end up like you mention, but not all.

Responsible use is key ;) The question remains whether the temptation can be resisted long term. On a larger scale though... those models need to be fed continuously with real knowledge. Where's that going to come from with irresponsible users?

Here's an example of irresponsible use propagating because... guess what, money talks

qz.com/openai-superalignment-disband-ilya-sutskever-jan-leike-1851485103

#58

Space Lynx

Astronaut

remixedcatonly keyboard I'd pay 450 for is a nice midi controller!

I wouldn't pay that much for any peripheral, I knew a lady in the United Kingdom who had a 3000 dollar handbag, and when I asked her about what the point of that is she became really defensive, lol

#59

remixedcat

Space LynxI wouldn't pay that much for any peripheral, I knew a lady in the United Kingdom who had a 3000 dollar handbag, and when I asked her about what the point of that is she became really defensive, lol

for 3k I can make a whole studio for that!!! jeez!!

#60

Dr. Dro

Vayra86Responsible use is key ;) The question remains whether the temptation can be resisted long term. On a larger scale though... those models need to be fed continuously with real knowledge. Where's that going to come from with irresponsible users?

Here's an example of irresponsible use propagating because... guess what, money talks

qz.com/openai-superalignment-disband-ilya-sutskever-jan-leike-1851485103

I'd argue that there's no track record for a safe assumption of good will here. It will be abused, it's just a matter of when and not if.

#61

dir_d

I know that Microsoft has said that a new Windows key will be needed for AI. Is the reason why this is so expensive because the license is included with the keyboard? I really can not think of another reason why it would be that expensive.

#62

Broken Processor

Apple can sell a TV stand for 2 grand and wheels for 800 and suddenly a 400 quid keyboard doesn't seem so bad XD

#63

Gmr_Chick

"a touchpad with a vibration function for haptic feedback. The touchpad can have varying pressure levels..."

So THAT'S why the price is so high - the touchpad doubles as a vibrator! :roll:

#64

hat

Enthusiast

Dr. DroCopilot this Copilot that.

I'm almost joining the Windows 7 holdouts in their loony bin, it's looking rather comfy.

I miss XP...

#65

Darmok N Jalad

Vayra86Each to their own, but make no mistake of the separation I talked about above here. Its real, its happening, and its hard to reverse. Its a bit like sticking to a diet. If you don't make the diet your lifestyle, you will regress.

I like burgers too, doesn't mean its good for me.

In the longer term though, look at what fast food has done to society.
ChatGPT is no different. You'll be a fat, sedentary lazy bum that knows nothing, the ideal plaything of commerce, and probably spending the last few decades of your life in and out of hospitals.

The danger, of course, is that AI models that digest are regurgitate have been shown to have bias. I don't want critical learning to be filtered through AI, personally.

#66

RJARRRPCGP

Space Lynxchatgpt

ChatGPT is in legal trouble now, allegedly ripped off a person's voice.

#67

lexluthermiester

AleksandarKMicrosoft Has Lost its Mind

This happened years ago.. It start nearly 15 years ago if we're being honest.

#68

Steevo

Im Moving back to 10. 11 is hot garbage and not required for anything I do

#69

lexluthermiester

SteevoIm Moving back to 10. 11 is hot garbage and not required for anything I do

I'd move back to Windows 7 if I could..

#70

Chaitanya

chrcolukThe migration to an Apple clone is almost complete.

They already were worse version of Apple when it came to Surface devices. not repairable(worse than Apple) and not particularly durable.

#71

95Viper

The topic is, "Microsoft Has Lost its Mind—$450 for a Keyboard, AI Button Included".
Let's stick to the topic please.

#72

RaceT3ch

I'm pretty sure a 7800x3d costs the same amount of money for this keyboard
For 450 dollars you'd expect it to at least be crazy quality mechanical, but I bet you it's just some terrible 5-dollar membrane keyboard with a wireless coil that charges a digital pencil

#73

gurusmi

I guess htat the AI key is strongly needed to think about the prize. ;)

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Microsoft Has Lost its Mind—$450 for a Keyboard, AI Button Included

73 Comments on Microsoft Has Lost its Mind—$450 for a Keyboard, AI Button Included

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