Microsoft has announced that it will discontinue manufacturing Microsoft-branded mice, keyboards, and webcams, putting an end to the company’s legacy in PC hardware production. Going forward, the tech giant will concentrate its efforts on Surface-branded PC accessories, including mice, keyboards, pens, and more. The move comes as a response to the struggling PC market and the 30% YoY drop in Microsoft’s devices revenue in its recent fiscal Q3 results.
Microsoft first entered the PC hardware market in 1983 with the launch of its first mouse, bundled with Microsoft Word and Notepad. However, the company has now decided to focus on its more successful Surface brand, which has gained a reputation for its premium quality and design. “Going forward, we are focusing on our Windows PC accessories portfolio under the Surface brand,” said Dan Laycock, senior communications manager at Microsoft, in a statement to The Verge.
While the Surface-branded keyboards and mice will continue to be manufactured, they are generally sold at premium price points. It is unclear whether any low-cost Microsoft-branded accessories will be transitioned to the Surface line. Microsoft has also remained tight-lipped about the future of its well-regarded ergonomic keyboards. The Surface-branded ergonomic keyboard is currently priced at $129, more than double the price of the regular Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard at $59.99.
Moreover, Microsoft has not revealed any plans to launch a Surface-branded webcam. The company’s only existing offering in this category is a $799.99 smart Surface camera designed for conference rooms. Surface chief Panos Panay has hinted at Surface-branded webcams in the past, but in 2021, Microsoft released a Microsoft Modern Webcam for $69.99.
The shift in focus towards Surface-branded PC accessories comes on the heels of Microsoft’s announcement that it had altered its “hardware portfolio” amid 10,000 job cuts. Existing Microsoft-branded PC accessories will continue to be sold in existing markets at their current prices while supplies last.
