Samsung has launched a new flavor, or rather line, of its peripherals.The company has listed a set of keyboard and mouse combos that will appeal to those with a sweet tooth, thanks to classic ice cream connotations. Samsung’s wireless keyboard mouse mint chocolate (opens in new tab) (SRP-9500MC) features a mint-colored keyboard and a design with chocolate chips scattered over the mouse. Someone should get Samsung to work with the people making chocolate 3D printers.
Samsung’s Mint and Chocolate Chip keyboard is a fully featured layout with feature rows, cursor keys, navigation cluster and numeric keypad. You’ll also notice that there’s a dedicated home button and quick keys for calculator, media controls, and audio. The keyboard is very light at 462 grams (1.02 pounds) and measures 436 x 125 x 23 mm.
Buyers should only expect the feel of a typical laptop-style chiclet keyboard, with the keys snapping back thanks to the scissor switch mechanism. The product page states that the keyboard is low noise and soft touch. Samsung emphasizes the durability of the ice cream-flavoured finish, stating that the letters and chocolate chip printing have an abrasion-resistant coating.
The mouse has a compact, lightweight, ambidextrous design. Specifically, it weighs 49 grams (0.11 pounds) and measures 108 x 60 x 26 mm. The hassle-free design is said to feature a high-performance optical sensor with three sensitivity levels (800/1200/1600 DPI). Wireless 2.4GHz mice are typically more responsive than Bluetooth models, the downsides being dongle requirements and shorter battery life.
Both peripherals in the bundle share a USB-A mini receiver dongle for wireless 2.4GHz connectivity. Batteries included: AA battery for mouse, 2 AAA batteries for keyboard.
Once you get past the crisp mint design, Samsung’s wireless input peripherals do little to set them apart. Vintage hardware from 2009 has a less flavorful finish. I certainly don’t think any of these new peripherals could make it into the hallowed Best Wireless Keyboards 2023 or Best Wireless Mouse 2023 roundup, which mostly considers mechanical switches and other advanced features.
The set appears to be listed only in South Korea, so it’s possible that this product is exclusive to Samsung’s home country. Presumably, this release will become part of Samsung’s wider offering. Alone, the combination seems a bit half-baked. Mint and chocolate chips are great, but wait for the banana split keyboard (for ergonomics).
