9 New Keyboards : Microsoft Sidewinder X6
12. Microsoft Sidewinder X6
Backlighting
Logitech went for blue and orange, Microsoft has chosen red: whose side are you on? Either way, both manufacturers allow you to change the intensity of the backlighting according to the environment that you're in.
As you can see, though, Mircrosoft has gone for an analog control so that you can make subtle changes to the backlighting level:
You can modify how much of this red light is shown (or even turn it off all together), but during games, the macro buttons change to an orange backlighting so they stand out a little more:
- Sidewinder X6 Keyboard...
It has a number of strengths:
- The numeric keypad is only attached by magnets and is detachable -- you can have it on the right, or the left, or not bother with it at all.
- You can use two dials at the top right to control the brightness of the backlighting and the volume. They're not particularly attractive, but they're intuitive and useful.
- You can record up to 30 macros on three programs each (90 in total), but to gain access to some of them, the numeric keyboard needs to be on the left hand side. Not many people will need--or want--to record this many macros, but it's a useful addition. Macros can either be pre-recorded or registed on the fly using the Record button above F3.
- Microsoft knows its market well: a specific key is featured that will open the default folder for games on computers running Vista.
- A neighboring 'Cruise Control' key allows you to keep an action triggered by a key going without having to keep that key pressed down. So, you'll keep moving forward, or firing, or scrolling through a document, whilst also doing something else. As soon as you're ready to take control again, you just need to press the button again to return to manual mode. It's a great feature for games and means you can easily combine several actions. This special mode works with up to four keys at once.
Noise Levels
The keys themselves are pretty tough, which leads us immediately to another question: does Microsoft really think gamers want keyboards that are as loud as this?
Seriously, the Sidewinder X6 makes an infernal din, with the Space bar being the main offender.
The noise it makes bouncing back up after you release it is horrible.
Perhaps Microsoft figured that gamers get so caught up in the action that they don't notice things like this (which we don't think is true, actually), but as soon as you start to type a simple e-mail you make so much noise that nobody else in the same room can hear themselves think.
Flipping the keyboard over produces another unpleasant surprise: it's impossible to adjust the height at either or the front or the back, meaning you can't change the slope.
Fortunately, this single angle option worked for us, but there's no guarantee everybody will like it.
One final detail is that the row of macro keys down the left hand side of the keyboard (numbered S1 to S6) make it all to easy to miss the Ctrl key when you're using office applications-- a source of irritation.
| Microsoft Sidewinder X6 | |
|---|---|
| Pluses | Minuses |
|
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Whether or not you like this keyboard depends on how tolerant you are of noise. If you don't mind it, or listen to music while you're playing games anyway, this is a five star keyboard, but if you're a sensitive soul, keep this keyboard out of the office!
You want noise try an IBM model M!
I wouldn't be with out mine though, a pleasure to type on!
nice round up. wouldn't mind seeing a similar article on the latest gaming and enthusiast keyboards too.
I've got a Logitech MX5000 bluetooth Keyboard/mouse and I'd give it a 4 star rating if I was going by similar patterns as this review. It handles great, but keys are not as quite as I'd like. It also has a nice touch area with volume and zoom sliders just below media center keys and an LCD display that can display date/time/media playing/temp/and other info that will also work with Winamp. The mouse included is just called the MXLaser and is quite comfortable for me with reprogrammable 6 buttons. Lastly, the bluetooth adapter that it comes with can be used with other bluetooth devices. The biggest issue I have had is that during games sometimes the keyboard will disconnect and reconnect (taking about 3-5 seconds). Weather this is for security or a bluetooth issue, it definitely is not fun in a high paced online match as the last key I pressed continues to be pressed until it reconnects.
I would have liked to see more advanced keyboards targeted specifically at gamers in this review, for instance any of the steelseries keyboards.
And really, keyboard noise has never bothred me in gaming. Most serious gamers will opt in for headphones or earphones for gaming, so noise isnt an issue for most.
I like niosy keyboards ! They feel great, and they give me the impression that internal parts are made from metal not from cheap plastic which can break under the insane pressure the kids apply when gaming!
But that's just me.
Nice article.
And I hate wireless KBs and mice..Never reliable as the good ol' wired ones!
I like my logi mx5000 set for my big theater. I've got some crappy wireless belkin keyboards with mouse "pad" built in for my other two theaters.
For my personal PC though? I won't get away from my Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite. It's the only keyboard I've tried, and I've tried a bunch, that doesn't make my carpel tunnel act up in the least bit. It's big and ugly but the typing is firm without too much noise and it's just comfortable.
The arrow key layout kinda sucks not being a T though.
Number of suggestions:
1)Price!
2)Switch type (rubber dome, buckling spring, capacitance)
3)Rollover limit (how many simultaneous keystrokes supported)
4)Keytop characteristics (glare, texture, molded or painted/decal lettering)
Btw, I too am partial to clicky keyboards and consider it a virtue.
I just upgraded my old microsoft wireless keyboard and mouse set with new microsoft laser 6000 keyboard and laser 5000 mouse. key sounds is acceptable and mouse is really comfortable (except the browser keys on left and right of it).
I think you should take a look at that if you're looking for a wireless keyboard and mouse, even it's not tested on this article.
im using the logitech illuminated keyboard, and I LOVE IT!
I have both a DiNivo and a Micorsoft Wireless 6000.3
I really loved my DiNivo, but 1 of the keys (the tab key) broke off within a few days - which i remapped to another key). then 4 months later 3 other keys stopped working. Logitech is sending another one, however as was traveling there was a gap.
In the interim, i bought a microsoft 6000, and having owned about a half dozen of the higher end microsoft keyboards, i would say this is the best of them. It has a very slight angle in the keys layout, an the keystroke is smaller than other micorosft keyboards which allows for faster and quiter typing. The microsoft has a suppier arrangement of additional feature keys than logitech, except for the really cool volumn slider.
They are both good keyboards, although i would give the nod to logitech in terms of better keys, and the nod to microsoft in terms of better supplimental keys. As i type 10+ hours a day ( a prgrammer), a good keyboard is important and makes a sagnificant performance boost (the best performance boost you can do, assuming a decent box, is a good quality 24inch screen, a nice keyboard, and a logitech mx revolution mouse.
Forgot to mention, a nice feature of the microsoft keyboard is removable batteries, so if they run out at a critical moment, just drop in another pair. The batteries last for a long time -even longer than the advertised rate (typically about 3 to 4 months for me, so an average user would get at least 6 months), however i assume that it the transmitter is farterh from the keyboard this will shorten battery life.
Have the logitech illuminated keyboard, and love it. Wanted one for gaming/working in the dark, but didn't want it to look like something out of a 1980s sci-fi movie like all the "gaming" keyboards. Also didn't need all the macro buttons and crap taking up space. It is compact, and works wonderfully.
These are all French layout keyboards! Not that it matters, but it was still less obvious as to why certain keys were switched around and whether all of the keyboards mentioned in the comparo were even available in the U.S (I believe they are, tough).
I question the general need for a numeric keypad. How many people actually use the damned thing? Outside of the office environment, almost none.
I have settled on an IBM Space Saver Model M.
@John:
I use the numeric keypad all the time. I hate reaching up to hit the numbers, actually.
I'm still waiting for a company to finally release a true ergo-gaming keyboard....
would be nice if the prices are actually listed...
Gaming keyboards for me, so the Sidewinder6 is the only thing of interst here. Some great ideas, but the fact is that many games, particularly MMOs where you would use macros and extra buttons the most, allow you to assign macros to any keystroke; that means the ability to do macros in the keyboard is less important (but far from unimportant!). What I want are more keys, bottom line.
Logitech just went through that process; they decided to make their G15 with 6 extra keys and replace the 18-key one, because people complained about the extra width of the board. An avalanche of complaints about the reduction in keys meant they are keeping the 18-keyboard though; while some have limited keyboard space, most of us MMO types who use gaming keyboards want the extra keys.
So, great effort Microsoft, but won't replace the Logitech G15 for my next keyboard. If you put more extra keys on though, make that part of the detachable unit rather than the number pad, now there you'd be talking something I'd be interested in!
gahhh .... you lie ... it's RF 2.4ghz not bluetooth - which is highly annoying as I just ordered 2 on the strength of them being bluetooth ... unless the logistech site is lying which I doubt, but hope