Now that Microsoft has two gaming mice in their newly resurrected SideWinder line, they can rest easy right? Wrong! Any gamer knows that the mouse is only half of the equation, and a good keyboard can make or break the pairing. Enter the SideWinder X6 keyboard, which is meant to both compliment and be a companion to the SideWinder gaming rodents. The new keyboard features the same colour scheme, in the form of a black body with red backlighting. It also sports a few extra features that many gamers and enthusiasts look for in such a keyboard.
Special Features of the Sidewinder X6
The first and most apparent feature of the X6 keyboard is the removable number pad. Microsoft has designed the X6 keyboard so you can position the number pad on either side of the keyboard. This allows for ultimate customizability, and also plays well into the other major feature of the X6, which is it’s extensive programmability.
The keyboard clusters 30 programmable buttons into six buttons along the side. With the numpad next to it makes for a huge repository of buttons that should satisfy even the most ravenous macro user. We’ll get into what exactly is present on the keyboard later, and you can check out the product home page if you want more information.
As for pricing, the SideWinder X6 can found for $69.99 USD at most retailers. This puts it in the same price range as most other programmable gaming keyboards like the Razer Lycosa, the Saitek Cyborg, and the Logitech G11. That means that like it’s mousey cousins, the SideWinder X6 keyboard faces some stiff competition. We’ll have to see how well it fairs, but first let’s take a close look at what make this keyboard special.
No Frills. No Extras.
The package included with the Microsoft SideWinder X6 keyboard looks fairly small, but it contains what you would expect with a keyboard. There is a quick setup guide, full users manual (yes, for a keyboard), and a software disk containing the configuration program. Now let’s get down to the interesting stuff.
The Detachable Keypad
The feature that differentiates the SideWinder X6 from many other gaming keyboards is the detachable keypad. You can choose to connect it to either the left or right side of the keyboard, depending on what kind of configuration and what genre of game you are playing. The keypad isn’t functional when disconnected, but when it is connected you can choose to either run it in number pad mode, or switch to macro mode and add another 18 macro keys to the existing 16. The keypad even changes backlight colour based on what mode it’s in.
If you’re a big macro freak (as many MMO and RTS players tend to be), moving the keypad over to the left side makes for easy access to all the macro keys. This places it right next to the main column of macro keys. FPS players might even derive some use out of this, though the first 12 macro keys should be enough for most FPS titles.
When Microsoft was deciding what to use to keep the keypad connected to the keyboard, I’m sure they went through a whole litany of options. Thankfully they settled on what appears to be the simplest option, which is to use magnets. The magnets used are actually rather powerful, bordering on Neodymium or some other Rare-earth magnet in comparable strength. This is good as these magnets will definitely hold the keypad in place while you are pounding on the keyboard through victory and defeat.
Taking A Closer Look
Though the removable keypad is the most noticeable feature of the SideWinder X6, it’s not the only benefit this keyboard provides to gamers. Microsoft has also included a whole host of useful function keys over and above the standard 104. There’s the afore mentioned macro keys; six of them to be exact. Though there are only six keys physically, the 1-2 switch below allows you to change their mode, giving you 12 programmable macros in total.
Microsoft added more function keys to the top of the keyboard, but they managed to do this without adding any additional bulk. This was done by slimming the main function keys, and placing the additional functions along the top edge of the keyboard. This makes for a much more slender package, which is only beaten by the Razer Lycosa in terms slimness.
As for the function keys added, they are mostly to support multimedia features. However there are some notable additions. Reading left to right, we first have the launch key. Like the one found on the SideWinder mice, this key launches Games For Windows in Vista and the mouse software in XP. Next to it is Cruise Control, which when pressed with another key will continue the action of that key until Cruise Control is pressed again. Moving down the row we find the macro record button, and a button to allow you to switch between three programmable keyboard configurations (banks).
More Than Keys for this Keyboard
Rather than going with push buttons, Microsoft went with dials for control of both the sound volume of your system and the brightness of the backlight in the X6 keyboard. Dials are good, but leaving out any additional USB or audio ports isn’t all that good. Even though the SideWinder X6 is USB, it doesn’t have any extra USB ports, which are a nice addition for swapping other peripherals like a mouse or USB flash drive.
Glow-in-the-Dark Layout
When it comes to key layout, the SideWinder X6 is fairly pedestrian, with very few surprises. Microsoft even went with a normal layout for the cluster of keys above the arrows (with Page Up, Page Down, etc), instead of the non-standard layout seen on many of their keyboards. There are only a few gripes, which can vary in annoyance from “need to get used to” to “experience breaking” depending on the user.
The first of those quirks is the position of the Esc key, which sits directly above the main bank of macro keys. This might take some adjustment for those used to the key being positioned above the ~ key, and may result in a lot of help file reading since you’ll be accidentally hitting F1. The other issue is a little more noticeable, as it has to do with the length of the spacebar. Compared to many other keyboards, it’s rather long. This means the lower section of the keyboard is cramped and can prevent you from using the Alt key depending on the size of your hands.
When the keyboard is powered, all the keys are lit up either one of two colours. The main keys and the function keys along the top are backlit a bright red, as is the lettering and symbols on the keys. The macro keys are lit in an equally bright amber. As for the keypad, it’s lit in one of two ways based on what mode it’s in. In number pad mode it’s illuminated red, and in macro mode it’s lit amber to match the other macro keys.
Software Setup
The software is relatively simple, only being a version of Microsoft’s standard IntelliType software with a few additions. It does provide a way to change the keys along the top, or at least most of the keys along the top. The only one you can’t change is the Launcher button, which is the one we really want to change. You can also setup the macro keys, and change their timing and even whether they execute a series of keystrokes or launch a program. Once all this is done you can select the next bank, wash, rinse, and repeat.
Testing and Use
The first test is the typing test, which is relatively simple, but tends to show off the flaws in most any keyboard fairly quickly. As I had mentioned, this is to test how many keys you can press simultaneously. It’s performed by holding down both your Shift keys, and typing the sentence: “THE QUICK BROWN FOX JUMPS OVER THE LAZY DOG” while holding both keys. Here’s how things turned out.
- Microsoft SideWinder X6: HE QUIK BROWN FOX JUMPS OVER HE LAZY DOG
- Logitech G15 Gen2: THEQCKBRWFXJVERTHELAZYG
- Razor Lycosa: HE QUIC BROWN OX UMPS OVER HE AZ DOG
The SideWinder X6 fairs the best in this test, with the Lycosa not far behind. The latest version of the Logitech G15 fails epically, which is unfortunate because the 1st generation G15 is flawless in this test. As for actualy typing, in the form of a blog post or review, the SideWinder X6 has a feel very similar to the Logitech G15, with a decent punch to the keys. The keys are nice and smooth, forgoing any weird rubber covering or strange materials.
The same experience that I had typing with this keyboard I had when gaming. I found the key response to be on par with the keyboards from Logitech and Razer that I’ve used. The only problem I had were the key layout issues I highlighted earlier. I eventually got used to the position of the Esc key, but the spacebar was just a little too persistent. Three out of five times I’d hit the spacebar when trying to press the Alt key. If there was any game where I needed to hold the Alt key down, I would just remap it. That was better then trying to twist my hand to fit the cramped key position.
Despite minor issues, my experience with the SideWinder X6 to be a good one. It wasn’t quite on par with the Logitech G15 (generation 1) that I covet, or the Razer Lycosa that I reviewed but my experience was still fairly positive. The macro function even found some use with a couple of my favourite FPS games.
Final Thoughts and Conclusion
Microsoft seems to be doing better and better when it comes to their SideWinder line of gaming peripherals. They’ve taken in a lot of feedback, and have definitely improved their products. The SideWinder X6 keyboard, is a great effort on their part. It’s nice to see them do some new things, like the removable keypad, without sacrificing basic functionality. The keys themselves have excellent feedback, and the feel of the keys is as normal as one could hope for. There’s even a whole host of macros and additional features for those who need them.
There’s still a few niggling issues that need to be ironed out, and as noted earlier they’re either deal-breaking or simple-annoyance. The position of the Esc key takes some getting used to, but it’s the length of the spacebar that really sticks out. It’s hard to avoid accidentally hitting it, and it makes the lower corner of the X6 a little too cramped.
In the end, the Microsoft SideWinder X6 keyboard still gets our recommendation. Even if you simply need to pair it with a SideWinder X5 mouse, it makes a good purchase. The two do look stunning together. That being said, it does have a few things that someone might find annoying, but it’s also has a lot of features someone might want in the form of macros galore and a detachable keypad. With all this in mind, I’m actually quite excited to see what Microsoft has in store next.
Pros
- Excellent feedback
- Keys feel normal, in a good way
- Bright easy to see backlighting
- Lots of macros and additional features
Cons
- Key layout problems with Esc and Space
- No USB or audio ports
- Lower corner key layout is cramped
Overall Rating: 8.5/10.0
