Microsoft Hardware price drop

Microsoft Hardware price drop gives consumers cool computing with cash to spare

Give prehistoric PC peripherals the boot

Auckland, New Zealand – 12 January 2009 – Microsoft New Zealand today announced it has dropped recommended retail prices (RRP) of its most popular products*, just in time for the start of the new year.

The price drop covers select products across Microsoft’s innovative range of mice, webcams, keyboards and internet communication devices that improve the productivity and entertainment aspects of the consumer’s digital lifestyle. Microsoft’s award-winning designs are based on comfort and performance.

“With back to school fast approaching and laptops soaring in popularity, now is a great time to take advantage of Microsoft’s new recommended retail prices across a range of hardware,” said Danica Aitken, ANZ Product Manager for Internet Communications in Microsoft’s Entertainment & Devices Division. “Make the most of those Christmas and new year computer purchases with some hot peripherals that help you work and play at your PC without blowing the budget.”

The new pricing structure applies to products such as Compact Optical Mouse 500 at the value-driven end of the price spectrum (now RRP$19 down from RRP $19) to the Wireless Laser Mouse 7000 for the performance-driven consumer (now RRP $99 down from RRP $119).

In comparison, the Microsoft LifeCam Show – one of the slimmest webcams on the market - has dropped from an RRP of $189 to $169.

Products with new RRPs* include:
• Natural Ergonomic Desktop 7000 – $179 down from $199
• Wireless Optical Desktop 2000 – $99 down from $119
• Wired Desktop 500 – $29 down from $39
• Compact Optical Mouse 500 - $19 down from $29
• Explorer Mouse with BlueTrack Technology - $129 down from $149
• Wireless Laser Mouse 7000 - $99 down from $119
• Wireless Laser Mouse 6000 - $79 down from $99
• Wireless Optical Mouse 2000 - $39 down from $49
• Compact Optical Mouse 3000 - $39 down from $49
• Compact Optical Mouse 1000 - $29 down from $39
• Basic Optical Mouse - $24 down from $29
• LifeCam Show - $160 down from $189
• LifeCam NX-6000 - $149 down from $169
• LifeCam VX-7000 - $149 down from $189
• LifeCam VX-700 - $49 down from $69
• LifeCam VX-500 - $39 down from $59
• LifeChat ZX-6000 - $99 down from $109
• LifeChat LX-2000 - $39 down from $49
• Sidewinder X5 Mouse - $99 down from $129

For a list of all available Microsoft Hardware products please visit http://www.microsoft.com/nz/hardware/

The Microsoft Hardware difference
Microsoft has been an innovator for more than 25 years in developing products that allow people to get more out of their computers. The performance, comfort and design of Microsoft Hardware products are what set its products apart from its competitors.

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* Prices advised by Microsoft are recommended retail prices, inclusive of GST. The price a customer pays will be determined by their retailer. New pricing does not include System Builder products, Xbox consoles or accessories for Xbox consoles.

About Microsoft Hardware
For more than two decades, the Hardware Group has employed innovative engineering, cutting-edge industrial design and extensive usability testing to create products of exceptional quality and durability that enhance the software experience and strengthen the connection between consumers and their PC. Microsoft Hardware leads the industry in ergonomic engineering, industrial design, and hardware/software compatibility, offering consumers an easier, more convenient and more enjoyable computing experience. Microsoft IntelliMouse® Explorer, which was launched in 1999, earned a place on PCWorld.com’s December 2005 list of “The 50 Greatest Gadgets of the Past 50 Years” as the first mainstream optical mouse that “brought gunk-free pointing devices” to a broad consumer base.

About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
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