After reviewing the SideWinder X8 gaming mouse I was offered the chance to check out its gaming keyboard brethren: the SideWinder X6. Microsoft is slowly building a reputation for quality PC gaming peripherals and the SideWinder X6 is another step in that direction. Although the gaming keyboard market is already very crowded having another quality keyboard choice can never hurt.

The new SideWinder X6 is designed for the gamer in mind yet is also an excellent everyday use keyboard. As gamers look for any edge possible the SideWinder X6 delivers features galore. How do ninety programmable Macros sound? That is a lot of WOW spells. How about profile switching? In addition we find the usual media keys, an adjustable backlight and a switchable keypad.

So let’s see if the SideWinder X6 is the keyboard to rule them all. Lets get started...

Microsoft SideWinder X6

Reviewed by: Tomas Ratas

Sponsor: Microsoft

Tech Specs,Features or the Basic Info:

Microsoft SideWinder X6

A first in keyboard-driven game control

The SideWinder X6 Keyboard is the first gaming keyboard created by Microsoft Corp. from the ground up - and the only keyboard on the market with a switchable keypad for powerful versatility. For games such as "World of Warcraft" or "Age of Conan," where action is controlled mainly by keystrokes, the SideWinder X6 offers sophisticated, customizable control over your gaming experience.

Change your keyboard's personality from mild-mannered desk jockey to game-mastering superhero. With the press of the Bank Switch key, you've disabled the Windows key and transformed a keyboard that's great for work into a keyboard that's great for gaming, too. The Quick Launch key takes you directly to your library of games in Windows Vista Games Explorer. Media keys offer fine-tuning of your gaming experience, providing precise control over volume and the keyboard's backlighting - now, seeing in the dark is one of your superpowers. And once you're in gaming mode, take control over your actions with the switchable keypad, up to 90 programmable macros and a Cruise Control function.

Top Features:

-Switchable keypad so your controls are where they're most useful

-Programmable keys that hold up to 90 macros

-Instant access to Windows Vista Games Explorer

-Transition from work to gaming modes with the press of a key

-Sensitive backlighting and volume controls

-Cruise Control for continuous motion

-Automatic profile switching

Customization that goes from work to play and back again

-Place your controls where you want them. For typical work tasks, the numeric keypad is fine on the right side. But when you swap the keypad to the left, your right hand stays free for mouse control while your left hand gains access to 18 keypad commands. The X6's keypad does double duty, with connectors on each side of the keyboard and magnets that guide it into place. It's more than a calculator - it's a whole toolbox of macros that you've programmed yourself.

-See in the dark. Your keyboard should be visible in any lighting conditions - whether you like to play under dim lighting or in broad daylight. Red backlighting highlights the standard keys, and amber lighting highlights the programmable gaming keys. The WASD keys - standard for gaming movement - have front-face labeling to make them easier to identify. The backlight control dial dims or brightens the backlighting.

-Switch modes with the press of a key. The keyboard has two standard modes. When it's set up, it's in standard keyboard mode. Press the Bank Switch key, and both the Windows and context menu keys are disabled - no more menu pop-ups in the middle of your gaming experience. The Bank Switch key also changes the backlighting between red for standard mode and amber for gaming mode. When the light is amber, you can start using the programmable keys. The Bank Switch key also transforms the key pad into a programmable macro pad that can be placed on the left side of the keyboard so it's closer to the keys gamers use most.

-Up to 90 macros on 30 keys. The Macro Toggle key gives you 30 macro keys that can be programmed in each default gaming mode. If a specific game or application profile is assigned using the software, up to three key banks are available for one game or application - allowing for 90 macros total.

After you've programmed the macros, they'll be accessible every time you select a bank using the Bank Switch key. That means plenty of shortcut single-key actions for your gaming experience.

-Create automatic gaming profiles. Profiles make your keyboard even smarter - the keyboard knows which game you're playing or which program you're using. First, enable program-specific settings, and then program your keyboard. When you launch the game or program, the keyboard recognizes your programmed controls automatically. Minimize the game or open another window on top of it - the keyboard goes back to the default settings or to those for the active program.

-Stay in motion. Sometimes all you need to do is move forward, move forward and move forward some more. Press Cruise Control and give that key-tapping movement a rest. Cruise Control lights up when it's on; use it for up to four actions such as jumping, crouching or switching weapons.

-Record, edit and store macros. First, there's a bank of macro keys on the left side of the keyboard. They're all programmable, and there's a toggle key that doubles their usefulness - each key can hold two macros. The toggle key indicates which set of macros is in use.

Next, there's macro recording for all of your programmable keys - and you can program while you're in the game. Experts know that they'll use a repeated motion or sequence over and over again - casting a certain spell or performing a jump-and-strafe firing action, for example.

Macros aren't limited to in game - you can record out-of-game macros too.

-Fine-tune your media. In addition to the media control keys you'd expect from a gaming keyboard - Play/Pause, Previous/Next and Mute - the X6 has a volume control knob instead of a keyboard key, giving you more sophisticated fine-tuning.

-Go directly to your games. With the SideWinder X6 Keyboard, it's faster and easier than ever to go directly to your games. The Quick Launch key opens the Windows Vista Games Explorer, shown at Games Explorer.

Background and research: Made for gamers

Microsoft Hardware conducted research with hundreds of gamers all over the world to uncover what they want from their gaming keyboard. Research revealed gamers don't use two different keyboards, one for gaming and one for everything else - they just want a keyboard that's great for both. Microsoft created the SideWinder X6 Keyboard to map directly to these needs, offering a switchable keypad that can be used as a traditional number pad or a macro pad for gaming.

Price:

The estimated retail price of the Microsoft SideWinder X6 Keyboard is $ 79.95 (U.S.)

3 Year Warranty