The Microsoft Sidewinder X6 keyboard is the premiere gaming keyboard from Microsoft that have a clean slim keycap design with large knobs to control volume and backlighting intensity. One interesting feature of this keyboard is the ability to detach the numpad and place it on either side of the keyboard or leave it off entirely if one so desires.
Features and Design
One of the most interesting and versatile parts of this keyboard is the ability for the keypad to be removed and switched if wanted. The keypad can act as a normal numeric keypad or set to function as a macro pad as well.
1. Quicklaunch
With the quick launch key on the top part of the keyboard open either games explorer in Vista/Win 7 or IntelliType Pro in Windows XP.
2. Cruise Control
The button that has the picture of a man running is the cruise control key. If you hold this button down and press another button that button is kept actived. Nice for those long walks or runs in game so one doesn't have to manually hold a key down.
3. Macro Record
The Macro record button allows you to record a macro while in game and save it to any of the available macro button slots.
4. Bank Switch
The 1-2-3- button are the 3 customizable configurations or banks that you can put the keyboard into. Each bank gives you up to 30 macros so you could have a total of 90 programmed macros if one so desired.
5. Macro Key Sets
The 6 keys on the left side of the main keyboard under the ESC key allow a total of 12 macros to be programmed on the keyboard without having to use the other 18 available on the keypad if you don't want to use it.
If you are someone who doesn't use macros then you could either just keep the keypad function on or take the unit off entirely and just have shorter keyboard. The space at a LAN party can be rather small so it's nice to have the option if need be. You would still have up to 12 macros you could assign on the main keyboard remember!
Macros and Software
On the main keyboard you have a total of 12 macros that you can assign. There is a small macro toggle button on the bottom row on the ones on the left side of the keyboard that allow one to switch from macros 1-6 to 7-12. This is without using the keypad macros. If you hook up the keypad macros you will have an additional 18 macros at your disposal for a total of 30.
Remember that you also have 3 different profiles as well so in the end one could have a total of 90 macros (but you would have to switch profiles to attain this). If you are a macro power user this keyboard should fit you well.
The software used to pre program the macros (instead of programming them on the fly) is Microsoft IntelliType Pro. It's a program that doesn't give you a lot of bells and whistles but it gets the job done and has an easy uncomplicated interface. There are other keyboards on the market that give one a more visually stunning interface but all in all they do pretty much the same thing in the end.
Keys
The slim keycap design allows for easy and smooth typing with little resistance. There is no rubber coating for the keys but they feel very secure and are silent. No click per press sound on this keyboard. The keys have the ability to be backlit as well if one desires. The red backlighting can be be adjusted via one of the large knobs on the top of the keyboard. Depending on which configuration you put the keyboard in the numpad and macro keys will be either red backlit or amber so you have a quick visual of what mode you are in just by looking at the keyboard.
More and more gaming keyboards are starting to have the backlit option as gamers and even those who work late at night enjoy the extra light or that extra "bling" that it gives the system if you are into showcasing or modding.
Conclusion
All in all the keyboard from a gamers perspective has features that would surely come in handy but there is always room for improvement. If you are use to large F1-F12 keys you will need to adjust to them being smaller as they are very narrow on this keyboard. It took me awhile to get used to the slim size of the ESC key as well that's on that upper row of narrow keys.The ability of the keypad to be moved from either side or taken off entirely will be a plus for those who like versatility in being able to adapt to environments they might require less space as well.
For a gaming keyboard Microsoft has addressed certain issues that gamers would see as a plus but certain areas could see improvements. Coming in around $80 this keyboard should be able to compete with others in the same price range though.
