Kensington Adds To Control Its Desktop Line

By Staff -- TWICE, 7/16/2007

REDWOOD SHORES, CALIF. — Kensington's computer products group recently announced five additions to its "Control it" line of notebook mouse and desktop sets aimed at the mobile professional.

The designs are part of the company's new Ci Lifestyle collection, a line of thinly designed, space-saving computing accessories with intelligent features, Kensington said.

The Ci line consists of the Ci70 and Ci70LE wireless mouse for desktop PCs, the Ci75m and Ci85m wireless notebook mouse, and a bundled keyboard and mouse set featuring the Ci70 mouse.

The Ci70 wireless mouse boasts a design up to 35 percent thinner than a standard mouse. It features an automatic sleep state, which conserves battery power when the device is not in use. Suggested retail is $34.99.

The step-up Ci70LE adds a sleek design featuring whimsical bubbles inspired by current home décor trends, the company said. It retails for $39.99.

Kensington's two wireless notebook mouse models, the Ci75m and Ci85m, also have slim form factors. A back-up power feature offers a wired option for use in airplanes and other wireless-restricted environments or when batteries are running low. The cord stows inside the mouse for easy travel.

Suggested retail for the Ci75m is $34.99. The Ci85m is $39.99.

Kensington's Ci70 wireless desktop set bundles the desktop mouse with low-profile design keyboard with a footprint 40 inches smaller than standard multimedia keyboards, according to the company. The mouse docks into the keyboard when not in use, saving both space and battery power. The keyboard folds back when not in use, revealing a photo frame. Suggested retail price: $79.99.

The Ci collection is available now.

Kensington, in announcing the line, cited a recent commissioned study that indicated quality and function as the most important factors when making a notebook accessory purchasing decision. Style, however, is becoming increasingly important to consumers, with 26 percent of respondents citing "lifestyle fit" as a primary purchase driver, and only 22 percent naming price. This same study revealed that input devices such as notebook mice are also purchased for use in the home workspace.