Monday March 22, 2010 4:47 PM AEST

Microsoft Sidewinder X6 Gaming Keyboard

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Microsoft Sidewinder X6 Gaming Keyboard
 
77
Verdict:
A great keyboard let down by small faults and a large price.

A transforming keyboard with a mess of gaming features? Colour us mighty curious...

Microsoft has always seemed an odd choice as a gaming peripheral maker, seeming only interested in the area as, more or less, an afterthought. Recently, though, the Redmond Beast has been delivering some pretty unique – if not quite solid – efforts in the area. This new keyboard is yet another step in the right direction – but it’s not quite there yet.

Probably the biggest feature of the X6 is its optional and swappable number pad. You can switch this from the standard right to the left-hand side of the keyboard, and in doing so the number pad then becomes an extension of the keyboard’s inbuilt macro function. The pad attaches via a couple of pretty strong magnets, and we found the whole set-up to be very sturdy. The keyboard also works perfectly well without the number pad, becoming instead a short form-factor ‘board without losing the vital cursor and other function keys.

It looks the part, too, with all the keys being beautifully backlit in red, which also lights up each character. We’ve not yet met a hardcore gamer who can’t find WASD even under the harshest of circumstances, but it’s still an attractive touch. The lighting level can also be adjusted using a control wheel mounted on the keyboard itself, while a second control handles volume adjustment.

Apart from the wheels, the top edge houses a mess of cool features. Probably the most important – and useful – is the Macro key. Programming on the fly macros is a godsend in games like MMOs, and the X6 makes the process super easy. Hit the key, perform your tasks, assign it to one of six dual-numbered macro keys. You can toggle these keys, so that’s 12 macro functions there, not counting the fact you can move the number pad over to serve as well. Another button along the top edge also switches you between one of three set-ups. It’s one of those things that just works, and works well.

Unfortunately, without any onboard memory, those functions only work while attached to your home machine. It’s a minor niggle, but when you combine that with a less than smooth key action (at least to our fingers) and a lack of extendable feet to alter the angle at which you type, and the X6 becomes less than perfect. It’s still an ideal choice, however, for those looking for an alternative to the huge – though less expensive – gaming models from Logitech and co.

 
Product Info
Supplier:
Price when reviewed:
AUD$149.95
price check*
$85.00 Microsoft Sidewinder X6 Keyboard 1.0, USB, OEM [ In stock! ]
Photech Computers (SA)
$85.00 Microsoft MS X6 SideWinder Keyboard
MSY (NSW, QLD, SA, VIC, WA)
$88.00 Microsoft SideWinder X6 Keyboard Retail
UMart Online - Brisbane Southside (QLD)
$88.00 Microsoft Sidewinder X6 Keyboard - Retail (AGB-00017)
Gocomp (QLD)
$88.00 Microsoft SideWinder X6 Keyboard Retail
UMart Online - QLD (QLD)
$88.00 Microsoft SideWinder X6 Keyboard Retail
Umart Online - Melbourne (VIC)
*Products and prices sourced from staticICE and are in no way associated with Atomic MPC Powered by
 
This article appeared in the November, 2008 issue of Atomic.

Want to check out the first Australian review of Final Fantasy XIII? We got in this month's Atomic!

Plus HD projectors, Napoleon: Total War, Intel's new six-core processor, PC upgrading guide, and a whole lot more.

ON SALE NOW!
6 Comments
Thoughts on this article? Add a comment below.
index680i
Nov 27, 2008 2:23 PM
Now that is decent but the mouse looks crappy. That keyboard would go nicely with the G9 or Razor mouses ;)
SceptreCore
Nov 27, 2008 2:40 PM
I like it!

Send it to me when your done with it Dave. :)
TheFrunj
Nov 27, 2008 3:47 PM
Sceptre, what do you think I'm using on one of the test rigs in the labs? ;P

-JR
Hawkeye
Nov 27, 2008 5:22 PM
Done with it? It's my home PC's keyboard?!

Even without the legs (which really does annoy me) it's just a slick, easy to type on keyboard that - if you detach the number pad - takes up very little space.

- DH
SceptreCore
Nov 28, 2008 1:22 PM
Come on... please, share the atomic love.

/does Jedi hand trick motion

You will send me the keyboard!
Spider-Man
Dec 1, 2008 4:00 PM
i does love mine

ill post up my review in a minute
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Atomic Magazine

Issue: 111 | April, 2010

Atomic is a magazine aimed squarely at computer enthusiasts, gamers, and serious PC upgraders.

Every month we bring you the latest reviews of new technology and PC components, in depth features on everything from overclocking to console hacking, and gaming previews and interviews.
 
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