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Microsoft Sidewinder X6 Gaming Keyboard with USB Port

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#1 ·
Microsoft Sidewinder X6 Gaming Keyboard with USB Port

Description:
Ready for the next dimension in gaming performance, custom tuning, and action? Then grab on to the Microsoft SideWinder 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/profile switching, two-color dimmable backlighting, and much more. Plus, at the touch of a button, it doubles as your high-performance keyboard for everyday computing.

Details:
DetailValue
BindingPersonal Computers
BrandMicrosoft
EAN0882224707626
Feature3 year Limited Hardware Warranty
FormatCD
Height3.11 inches
Length17.24 inches
Weight1.53 pounds
Width9.61 inches
LabelMicrosoft
List Price$79.95
ManufacturerMicrosoft
ModelAGB-00001
MPNAGB-00001
Package Quantity1
PlatformWindows XP
Product GroupCE
Product Type NameKEYBOARDS
PublisherMicrosoft
SKUAGB00001
StudioMicrosoft
TitleMicrosoft Sidewinder X6 Gaming Keyboard with USB Port
UPC882224707626
Number Of Items1
Warranty3 Year Limited
ColorBlack
 

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#2 ·
Microsoft Sidewinder X6 Gaming Keyboard / wired

review by rogue1266

The Microsoft Sidewinder x6 gaming keyboard. It's very stealthy looking in design. It look's like a gaming
keyboard..... Some of the Pros. I mentioned. I think having back-lights on keyboards was a cool idea who ever came up with it first. It makes for a stylish board. As well as greatly helping in seeing the keys a whole lot better.
Back lite keys are a plus in my book.
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What makes the SWx6 even more impressive is the '90'; YEAH, '90' programmable macro keys organized into 30 key sets and into 3 bank types. You can even program macro keys in the game and set 'Cruise control' action for recording keyboard movements for automation on the fly... What I found as a wonderful thing was a detachable number keypad; being able to move your number-keypad to one side of the board or the other side.
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Very cool in my book for I find my-self always using default set keys as well as own programmed key-sets while I'm gaming.

Their are Audio button sets for play-back control and sound. The master volume of Windows is controlled by one large nob as well as the brightness of the keyboard back lighting on the other nob. The keyboard it-self is very sturdy in design. Made of harden plastic. 6 point's of gripping power on a flat surface. The keyboard it self sit's in a flat position, making for a very steady keyboard while gaming.

The keyboard it self is built well. It's holding up to my pounding of keys while I'm gaming. In most of the reviews that I have been reading before I bought this product, they all stated about it's durability.
Now, as for it being good for gamers keyboard; I would say 'YES'!!!

It has lower key placement. the keys have a shorter stroke between fully upright and fully depressed. What this means is that the keys can be pressed easier with less effort (shorter Key-strokes) and it's easier to move the fingers across one key to another key. I found that it takes a little getting used too. Specially when you came off a keyboard, like I did; that the keyboard was over 5 years old, going on 6 years.. I was well over due for a new keyboard. I think the all around functionality of the board makes it a good gaming keyboard.
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This is a wired keyboard, with a USB connector plug. Now, for the life of me, I don't know why the main title of this review states ( 'with USB' )??? The are no USB connections on this keyboard. if this product had that feature as well. I would write a hundred of these reviews for this board alone. I don't think any keyboard manufacturing company would put that many features into one keyboard.... Anyway, if you are looking for a good, solid, good looking, well functioning gaming keyboard at mid-range price. Microsoft keyboards were always a good product in my book. My 5 year old keyboard I just replaced for this board (Sidewinder x6) was a Microsoft keyboard!!!! I think that say's enough for durability.
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ProsCons
The style is very stealthy looking. Good weight, don't move around. Hard Plastic, solid construction.It takes some time getting used to it. Low key raises make for striking the wrong keys. Lie's flat

Ratings
Overall5
 
#3 ·
Microsoft Sidewinder X6 Gaming Keyboard / wired

review by rogue1266
I actually clicked on to this because of the "with USB". I just got my X6 yesterday and I've been using it all day today. It's taking some getting used to with the keys, but my accuracy has never been that great anyway. When you build up a flow, it feels really comfortable. The space bar gives a richer sound than the other keys that's strangely really satisfying. For some reason, the words "rubber" and "velvet" are the first words that come to mind when trying to describe it.

As awesome as the hardware is, it falls apart when it comes to the software. Badly.
The Intellitype drivers are really bad for me (Windows 7 Pro x64). Having them installed causes serious lag on the volume knob (directly related to the repeat delay and rate), which doesn't seem so bad seeing as I have inline controls and my mouse (Roccat Kone[+]) can control the volume too. But the part that I just couldn't tolerate was the hang up before logging into Windows. After entering my password, it would get stuck at "Welcome" for a very long time (I counted to 150 seconds before I got bored and just gave up).
Of course, if you uninstall the drivers, you lose the macros.

And it's because of the drivers that I'm contemplating returning the keyboard. I don't want to because it's such a nice piece of hardware and, as you stated, the removable number pad is a fantastic touch, but the software lets it down so much.
 
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