Buy it here Microsoft SideWinder X4 Keyboard for $49.99
Product
PC gaming keyboard with programmable macro, backlight, and anti-ghosting. . . more>>
- Advanced anti-ghosting capability – Press up to 26 keys simultaneously without ghosting – what you press is what you get!
- Mode switching – Manually toggle from standard mode to one of two gaming modes; LEDs show the mode you select.
- Automatic profile switching – The keyboard detects the application you are running and applies your custom profile to the application.
- Programmable macro keys – Switch among three banks of six programmable macro keys to assign up to 18 macros per profile.
- Backlit keys – Adjust key-legend backlighting with three illumination levels plus “off”.
This product can be bought at Amazon for $49.99 -> here is the link: Microsoft SideWinder X4 Keyboard
Can not say I have some of the problems mentioned in the Electro Dragon (notice, but I can not with a KVM switch). I only had the keyboard for a few days, but I will the advantages and disadvantages, which I’ve noticed as a student list and FPS fan.
Pros:
1 ) Keys feel great during the game / casual type. Now feel the key preference is very specific person, I know people, mechanical key love and hate “laptop style” keyboards, and vice versa. Personally, I feel like the buttons, it’s a perfect balance between typing for me, the occasional paper and casual gaming. It feels a little better during the game than if you are looking purely to type up novels, but overall I prefer the Logitech diNovo Edge, I had previously (laptop style keys, the quieter, but was mushi). The buttons feel solid, even if you press edges or corners, the liquid is the same movement, no matter where on the key that you take.
2 ) Simplicity / design. Large keyboard, everything what I want and not all wild non-sense has that I do not (my old Logitech Elite seemed to think I needed 10 media and e-mail key). Looks good, nice clean lines and edges. With a nice weight, it seems this keyboard have to build excellence. Time will tell, of course (3 year warranty though whooo!).
3 ) Terminator backlight. Can not say I do not see any pinkness in the backlight. With all the lights in the room, it looks more orange than red (But then why do I need back-lit keys), but at night with minimal light, it looks killer. Terminator red.
4 ) Software. I was cautious about the software after reading some early reviews, but so far had no problems. It is simple and does the job. Not even running in the background as Logitech software. Just open the program, select your settings, close it and you’re good to go.
5 ) Misc. The addition of a calculator button is handy, really wish I had this arrrrghhh while taking my accounting and finance classes (balance sheets and Excel). Textured wrist rest prefer: them on the smooth or metal, which I have had in the past, feels better in my palm. The 26key anti-ghosting feature is nifty (this requires the software fyi), but not the reason I bought it first keyboard. Even while playing or MW2 BFBC2 I’ve never run into problems with ghosting my other keyboards, so that was not really a requirement but is obviously nice to have.
Cons: < br />
1 ) OMG fingerprints. Pretty bitch minimal, but I’m not sure why decision makers are using the keyboard with bright keyboards. . . . my DiNovo was the same way. Looks out of the box I guess, cool, but after about an hour or two just start building a nice collection of fingerprints. Would really rather have the whole thing in matt black!
2 ) Wrist pad. It is not removable. No big deal, I would not lose weight if I could, but some people might not like this decision by Microsoft.
3 ) Macro keys Mess with my mind a little. As a normal keyboard use, the macros buttons on the left side, you have thrown in my opinion a little. In my peripheral vision (as in Virgin 40yo) My mind thinks the macro keys: TAB, Caps and Shift are column at times. So today I found myself occasionally moved on, while I will be typing. Probably just starting, but I figure would be used to call it.
Is fourth ) WMP button. Now honestly, I never use these media buttons. Out of habit, I almost always open programs and applications without keyboard shortcuts. This keyboard / software only allows for Windows Media Player by default open when you meet them. Sort of dumb, but still the Microsoft tradition of favoring their programs on everything the customer wants to assign.
So, that is all I can think of now. Certainly nothing bad about this glaring keyboard anyway, but it will not Blow Your Mind. If you for a great gaming keyboard, looking perfectly fine, even on the type feel, then you use the X4. Plus, the backlight is different from the usual blue or white, you will see in the rule. You might find the features of the X6 a bit over the top to be. Is what I want to perfect and I’m so happy!
D. Spross
April 24th, 2010
I work in a dark room at night, while my wife sleeps. Occasionally I have a letter, function affected the number or a special key such as “[“. When the poor typist, I usually either requires trial and error, or worse, the light turns on me enough to read the keys. The older I get, the more light is needed to actually see the keys.
My search was for a well-built, backlit keyboard to prevent my need for another source of light. There is another model in the Microsoft Sidewinder X6 which seemed interesting, but this model was on the lookout for pre-order, and seemed interesting.
My need not be a gamer, but sometimes Past Bedtime typer. This keyboard comes with software from Microsoft and on the USB cable via the USB port there is a piece of cardboard that the software CD, you first install says. When opening the box, the CD was not noticed by me. However, it was there. It installs Microsoft Intellitype. Which seems to do something for my PC, I have no idea.
After installing software on Windows XP, my old keyboard was unplugged, and this new keyboard was in. It has worked very well put. The color is a solid red, and it is easy on the eyes. This is an extended 102/103 key keyboard (it has some extra buttons). It is a non-detachable number pad. There is also a non-detachable palm rest.
While the palm rest is comfortable, it would have been nice to get it removed. Space is a problem in the area of my keyboard and palm rest uses about a third of the keyboard.
The black is brilliant for most of the keyboard, the palm rest and has a matte texture . feel All the buttons are illuminated, with the exception of the spacebar. The space bar is not hard to find, even in the dark is accompanied as a large area of illuminated buttons.
Glow only the tops of the keys, there is no light leakage at the sides of the or buttons on the bottom of the keyboard. A choice of color would have been nice. Red is not bad, I have preferred blue.
Some keyboards have a key to orient your hand for touch typists (usually a physical bump on the letter “J” if I remember correctly). This allows you to rely on the QWERTY keyboard without looking. Unfortunately, all keys are the same, and you have to learn which is by the use of keys where.
This keyboard is a bit louder than other keyboards. I do not much care for the noise. During prolonged typing, my thumb seem a bit sensitive to the space bar. Overall, when typing elongated bodies (review of) my fingers get tired more on this keyboard than on my very old Basic Dell keyboard.
There are six buttons labeled S1-S6 at the left page. There is also a menu button on the bottom right corner of the main keyboard near the space bar. These non-standard keys. What did the S-keys I do not know, seems the menu button as the right mouse button work. Unfortunately, it takes a second Time do not click cancel on the right (the document is not the bottom of the menu).
There are also multi-media keys for play / pause, fast forward, skip, sound and tone down and dumb. It is a key, a light changes from one of three positions, I related to him to suggest the play of the ability of this keyboard. There is also a key to the light intensity set. There are three levels of light off and plus, you change from one to another by pressing the LIGHT button. A final non-default button is the calculator button that starts the Microsoft machine.
Overall, it is a well-made keyboard, a detachable palm rest would have been nice. My hope is over time, decrease the sensitivity to the space bar is. Most of the extra buttons are useless for me. I really appreciate how good it is lit, and it seems to be no light bleed through between the keys.
I’m happy. Amazon sells it at a lower price than it is now listed. Today it is trading at $ 59. 99, my price was $ 45. 10th For $ 45. 10 This is a very good buy in my opinion was after. With some luck, as this unit is a bit more mature, the price will settle.
Pilchard
April 25th, 2010
The Microsoft Sidewinder X4 keyboard is a fantastic keyboard and so far the best keyboard I’ve ever owned.
Pros:
– The keyboard has an amazing blood red back-light and looks really good in the dark. You can choose from three different lighting settings and turn it off.
– There are six macro keys and you can to any key combination that you either with the included Microsoft IntelliType software or by pressing the record button for on -the-fly programming like program. There are also three different profiles for the separate storage of macros for the keys that allow for 6×3 = 18 different macros.
– Keys feels good to type and keyboard can be tilted with hangers on the back.
– Anti-ghosting technology. I did not test pressing 26 keys at once (because I only finger lol ten), but this keyboard certainly lives up to its promise of 10 + registry keys at once.
Cons:
– hand rest can not be removed, but I have no problem with that. It feels really comfortable playing both as a guy on.
– Media keys only work for Windows Media Player is what I use primarily. This can annoy those who rely on a different default media player.
Conclusion: The Sidewinder X4 is awesome. I recommend it for both players and those who have a really good keyboard.
Brian P. Dsouza
April 25th, 2010
Finally I got my SideWinder x4 for delayed delivery from Amazon. but no complaints since I picked it for $ 45 instead of 60. Thanks amazon.
Right out of the box I was happy with the look of the keyboard. very good-looking mirror finish but fortunately, the buttons rather a so weak fingerprints should be no problem. Its much smaller than the Logitech cam I was with, as I hoped. Theres only one height level addition to property that does not bother me at all, but perhaps others will take care of. The USB is not gold plated and the cable is not twisted. Once again, no big deal, but I have spoiled a little of my Razer mouse. Since I do not use the f keys all too often it is ok, that theyre slimmer but I could understand the people, not like that. The palm rest is made of durable plastic with no cushion, so it would not be very good for someone who types for very long periods.
Where functionality of this keyboard is great. I installed the software, use full advantage of the features. I had everything up and running in about 3 minutes. The light looks really nice in the dark. It is blood red, but pink looks like, if you have it in a bright room. With the light from the keyboard is still very readable, unlike some other keyboards I have seen. I programmed macros in a few and it worked perfectly. The media keys do not work with Media Monkey and I have not tried with other 3rd party software, but I know they work with Windows Media Player. The volume of those work all the time obviously. mentioned in other reviews that someone they do not have the bumps on the j-and F-keys, but I do, and also has two small on the W key for gamers. The keys have a nice feeling to them. The antighosting works very well and easily my old Logitech excels in all four games I was looking for.
Overall I am very happy with this keyboard, and I will now examine Microsoft keyboards to do if I any future purchases.
Pros:
~ ~ very nice looking
antighosting works well ~ cool red LED, that doesn’t leak outside the key ~ ~
calculator button ~ nice Marco functionality
rather thin ~
keys have a nice feeling
Cons:
~ media keys do not work with all players
small buttons ~ f ~ plastic palm rest
Benjamin J. James
April 25th, 2010
I was really hoping this would be the best keyboard for me, after he blocked a bad experience with a key (ghosts) on the Logitech Illuminated Keyboard (shift + w + space not registered). While the X4 solves any kind of key ghosting / blocking, it comes at a price. The keyboard feels awful on the type, and has some poor design decisions:
1) The worst problem with the keyboard is terrible typing. It is clackety porridge, in the absence of a better description. It is too much resistance, but do not travel enough depth to get the key. Furthermore, in contrast to some of the better keyboards, all major lines exactly at the same height (ie, they are flat and not bent at all), which results in more error-prone input if you as a typist. They say they were ready for a combination of desktop and laptop keyboards, but they seem to be the worst features of both have inherited.
2) In contrast to better-designed keyboards there are not a small gap between the A and Caps Lock. I find myself constantly hit Caps Lock by accident.
3) The red backlighting is bright enough, but unfortunately more deep red pink in direction as a beautiful one. It looks red enough guy if on the head, but from a normal sitting position, or enter it is pure pink! The color can not be changed.
4) Probably because of the advanced anti-ghosting feature (which seems the best feature of this keyboard), it is not AT ALL work through a KVM Switch with Windows 7 It is not a matter of special keys does not work, or the software does not recognize the board, how to install on some keyboards, but a complete failure, any type of keyboard driver. I am an experienced IT professional and I was completely unable to get Windows 7, to identify them by a KB-KVM switch. Strangely, XP had no problem with the KB, when attached to the KVM.
Well, it’s not all bad news: The anti-ghosting is perfect, the macro function is perfect, are the media keys perfectly, and the calculator button is a brilliant touch.
If you can stand w + shift + space keyblocking problem, I would recommend the Logitech Illuminated Keyboard on this. I fear that this has to go back to the drawing board. This is unfortunate, because I usually love Microsoft products such as the 360, Zune, and Windows.
ElektroDragon
April 25th, 2010