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Microsoft Sidewinder X4

post #1 of 40
5/19/10 at 7:32am
Thread Starter 
Hey guys,

I didn't want to go all out on a keyboard, however I wanted:
A Gaming board
Backlit
A few macro keys, maybe 5 or 6
Wired
Minimal input lag

I originally had chosen the Logitech G15, however it's really a bit too expensive ($100 Australian).

Keep in mind I am in Australia so parts are a bit more expensive and range is more limited.

I was wondering if the Sidewinder X4 was any good, as it is only $49 AUD.
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post #2 of 40
5/19/10 at 7:37am
Got this very keyboard myself, and love it.

It's got nice responsive keys, and feels very well made. At first it felt cheap due to the plastic, and took me a while to get used to it, but after you have used it for a while you realise it's high quality. The backlight/macros are great. It also has Keyboard Profiles which you can switch between with 1 button, and these can contain certain Macros or whatever you wish for that layout.

The Macros are away from the keys so you can't accidentally lean on them, but are in easy reach. I didn't like all the gadgets on the newer keyboard (screens, temp monitors, jet packs ) and this was a great choice. Simple but sexy and functional.

It's nice and comfy too, and the backlight gives it a nice ambient glow. Best keyboard in that price range for sure; highly reccomended
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post #3 of 40
5/19/10 at 7:49am
You picked a good choice. Although I use strictly mechanical keyboards for many different reasons, Ive found a select few rubber dome keyboards that are actually great quality. those being the x4, razer tarantula, and an older dell keyboard I used in college.
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post #4 of 40
5/19/10 at 7:49am
Thread Starter 
Thanks! Done
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post #5 of 40
5/19/10 at 8:12am
Quote:
Originally Posted by LAF View Post
Thanks! Done
Any time, glad to have helped!
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post #6 of 40
5/19/10 at 9:11am
ghsoting problems (seriously on a modern keyboard that inexcusable)
membrane keyboard (keys are gummy and not very responsive)
usb (larger input lag than ps/2)
controller introduces around 80ms of latency compared to around 40-50ms on costar manafactured keyboards
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post #7 of 40
5/19/10 at 11:24am
Quote:
Originally Posted by salmasy View Post
ghsoting problems (seriously on a modern keyboard that inexcusable)
membrane keyboard (keys are gummy and not very responsive)
usb (larger input lag than ps/2)
controller introduces around 80ms of latency compared to around 40-50ms on costar manafactured keyboards
I think you are thinking about a different keyboard. This conversation is about the SideWinder X4, which features Microsoft's new multitouch-based, anti-ghosting technology. So it is one of very few keyboards (and I think the only one anywhere near this price) that effectively eliminates the ghosting issue.

By way of explanation, the reason ghosting is still a problem on most keyboards is because fixing it was rather expensive. The classic solution is to put a diode in series with each key, which not only means 100+ diodes, but also a large printed circuit board to mount them on. That's why those keyboards typically list for over $100. Not many people are willing to spend that much on a keyboard. So that's why most keyboards have ghosting issues.

The Microsoft multitouch solution (which my group developed), uses resistors in series with each switch, which can be printed in one, low cost step. We are hoping this will revolutionize how keyboards are made, and eliminate the ghosting issue once, and for all.

Anyhow, you can get all the details on X4 and anti-ghosting here:

http://www.microsoft.com/appliedscie...iGhosting.aspx
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post #8 of 40
5/19/10 at 11:29am
i haven't seen a single keyboard other than the X4 that has had ghosting issues in my entire LIFE, ghosting is NOT common, its only a problem on the X4, even the keyboard i got for free from a fujitsu computer does not ghost.

Example, moving backwards and to the left while crouching and reloading (ASER) throws in an I, I use I as my knife (and then have my side mouse button binded to the I key to get around a problem with binding directly to the mouse) therefore in modern warfare 2 If i wish to back behind cover while crouching and decide to reload, i will instead thrust my knife into the wall not reload at all and be open to attack due to the microsoft keyboard being a pile of excrement!

Now i suggest you do some research before butting in and take your fanboyish ways elsewhere, sometimes i'd swear your kind were on these companies payroll.
Edited by salmasy - 5/19/10 at 11:45am
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post #9 of 40
5/19/10 at 12:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by salmasy View Post
i haven't seen a single keyboard other than the X4 that has had ghosting issues in my entire LIFE, ghosting is NOT common, its only a problem on the X4, even the keyboard i got for free from a fujitsu computer does not ghost.
I'm not sure how to respond to this, but you are mistaken. Those of us who make keyboards for a living know that ghosting is a significant issue (we get the angry emails), and that there is some small fraction of the population that is will to pay a premium to avoid it. That's kind of the point behind keyboards like the Razer Tarantula and the SteelSeries 7G.

The idea behind the SideWinder X4 is to bring high-end, anti-ghosting to an affordable price point.

X4 only came out in recent weeks. Here's what it looks like:

http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/ga...s.aspx?pid=105

If you don't think ghosting is a problem, take a look at this thread:

http://www.overclock.net/computer-pe...-keyboard.html

Over 900 posts in less than a week, and still counting!
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post #10 of 40
5/19/10 at 12:06pm
Yes and? thats a thread about keyrollover not ghosting.
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