Microsoft SideWinder X6 Keyboard
by Microsoft
List Price:
Our Price: $57.72
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Category: CE
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Customers in the UK,
buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: MicrosoftFormat: CD
Platform: Windows
Model: AGB-00001
Color: Black
Product features:
- Switchable key pad - Flexible design, choose right side or left side confi guration. Switch between standard key pad and macro pad in gaming mode.
- Two-color adjustable backlighting - Keyboard keys are red, and key pad and Macro keys are amber in Game mode. Lighting dial adjusts the brightness of the keyboard and key pad.
- Cruise Control - Use Cruise Control to continue an action without having to hold down the key or keys assigned to the action. You can use Cruise Control with up to four keys at a time.
- Mode switching - Manually toggle the keyboard from standard mode to either of two gaming modes. LEDs show the selected mode.
- In-game Macro Record button - Record any sequence of keystrokeseven standard chat messages. Macros are stored on your hard drive and can be easily shared.
- Roller Typing
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- Nero Liquid TV
- TypeRightNow for Windows Includes Patented, Peek-Proof PC/Desktop Keyboard Cover
- Mavis Beacon Typing 17 [OLD VERSION]
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Microsoft SideWinder X6 Keyboard
Customer Review: Excellent Gaming Keyboard w/ a Hint of the Dark Side.
Summary: 4 Stars
Positives:
Packaging of the keyboard was excellent, but it could have been improved on with a window to tease potential buyers.
The keyboard looks absolutely fantastic with its new bold stealth fighter like design or it can be associated with Darth Vader. It is the gaming keyboard for Sith lords!
The number pad is detachable and the magnet that holds the two parts together is pretty strong so you will not detach it by accident. This is my favorite design and the main reason why I chose this keyboard over all other gaming keyboards.
The keyboard has a flat laptop like design which may or may not be what you want.
There is a dial / wheel for the back light and also for the volume! I highly prefer a dial / wheel design over buttons.
The back light has a true red color while the back light for macro keys are amber.
Has a few media keys and also has a calculator key (on the detachable number pad).
Has cruise control, mode switching, macro keys, etc for gamers who may chose to utilize those.
3 year warranty!
(Logitech G15 - 1 YR | Razer keyboards - 1 YR | OCZ keyboards - 1YR | Saitek - Hard to find..., but either 1 or 2 YRs)
Negatives:
The keyboard has a flat laptop like design with less gaps between keys, than standard keyboards. This makes me look down to see where I am going to type much more often compared to normal keyboards.
Perhaps with more time I will get used to the X6, but I prefer typing on the G15 compared to the X6.
The esc key is not above the ~ key whereas the esc key is above the ~ key on probably all other keyboards. This is one of the more annoying aspects of this keyboard. The reason is Microsoft decided to make the F keys longer than normal...
Would be nice to have switchable colors so it can match certain desktop setups, such as a blue back light. I would prefer green since it is the color of good ol' paper back money. :)
Yes, I would also very much like a dark green lightsabre instead of a red/blue.
Might accidentally snap the connections between the keyboard and number pad (be careful).
There is no keyboard feet/legs/stands on the top back side so you cannot adjust the height. It may take some getting used to for some users.
I'm not sure on the exact number of keys that can be hit simultaneously, but so far I have had absolutely no problems in any game.
Edit: Just found out it does indeed have a moderate sized flaw in that the user cannot reload while crouching and moving at the same time...
Notes/other thoughts:
I went from using a Logitech G15 (blue) to this. The G15 was a great keyboard, but it was quite long and I never used the LCD. I loved the volume dial / wheel on the G15 so getting another keyboard with the dial / wheel was a must.
The X6 keyboard is isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) friendly unlike the G15. I ruined the pain job on two G15 keyboards since just a bit of isopropyl alcohol can make the paint smear.
Since the X6 does not have a LCD screen I would love to one day try out the dishwasher method to clean the keyboard. This cleaning method worked well with other standard keyboards, including a Saitek Eclipse, but I was too afraid to try it with the G15 (LCD).
I would imagine pairing the X6 with the Microsoft sidewinder mices would give a better gaming setup in terms of having a uniform look.
I have not tried and do not intend to try out the macro keys so I am unfamiliar with how well it functions and if the software is user friendly. If needed to be the number pad can also function as macro keys.
It would be awesome if the detachable number pad was wireless so I would not have to reattach it to use it.
Conclusion.
The Microsoft sidewinder X6 is an excellent gaming keyboard geared towards users who want a keyboard that has a cool stealth fighter or Star Wars dark side look, and also is bundled with a lot of gaming and practical designs. The most distinguishable feature compared to other gaming keyboards is the detachable number pad, for the user that needs a little extra space.
There are a few downfalls (i.e. laptop/notebook flatness w/ lack of adequate space between keys) or conflicts with user preferences (i.e. back light color), but overall I would give this keyboard an 8.5/10.
*The biggest downfall is the lack of feel while typing which makes me have to look down in order to find the correct keys. A huge negative for gamers who need to react quickly in a competitive setting.*
Edit: Listed in the negative section, but... "Just found out it does indeed have a moderate sized flaw in that the user cannot reload while crouching and moving at the same time..." I would take another star off of my review for this reason, but unfortunately I cannot edit the number of stars.
Description of Microsoft SideWinder X6 Keyboard
Powerful. Programmable. Gaming Keyboard. Ready for the next dimension in gaming performance, custom tuning, and action. Then grab on to the Microsoft SideWinderTM X6 Keyboard the powerful companion to the Microsoft line of award-winning SideWinder gaming mice. This breakthrough keyboard incorporates a host of powerful features, including a detachable key pad, in-game macro recording, a full media key set, automatic and manual mode/profi le switching, two-color dimmable backlighting, and much more. Plus, at the touch of a button, it doubles as your Ready for the next dimension in gaming performance, custom tuning, and action? Then grab on to the Microsoft SideWinderTM X6 Keyboard?the powerful companion to the Microsoft line of award-winning SideWinder gaming mice.Digital Cameras and Photo Categories
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