Microsoft SideWinder X4 Keyboard

The SideWinder X4 is a gaming computer with decent backlighting. You can tell Microsoft puts more emphasis on the gaming aspect than the illumination, since the product description barely mentions the light. Kind of an afterthought.

Fortunately, the light is very nice. It’s strictly red, and has 3 levels of brightness. As you can see from the video below, the keys are well-lit, crisp and clear.

If you’re a serious gamer, you’re probably aware of the ‘ghosting’ problem many keyboards have. In an effort to minimize errors, when too many keys are pressed simultaneously, many keyboards strip out unlikely combinations. For gamers, that’s the kiss of death, since games can require all kinds of odd combinations, all at once. For the X4, you can hit up to 26 keys at once. That’s a pretty big deal. I’m not sure if I could hit 26 keys with all my fingers and both feet.

There are 3 modes, standard, and 2 gaming modes. Automatic profile switching is pretty neat. It detects what game/application you’re running, and loads your pre-defined profile for that software. Combined with the 3 banks of 6 macro keys, that gives you 18 macros per profile. A ‘record’ option for the macros allows you to create macros on the fly while playing.

I really like the repeat key. You can set a macro to run, then automatically start over. I can remember in my (ahem) younger days, spending hours training a character to jump. With a repeatable macro, I wouldn’t have had to resort to rubber-banding my joystick fire-button down… Okay, maybe that’s a simplistic example. Use your imagination.

Aside from the gaming features, the X4 also sports media controls. This is good, if you like Windows Media Player. Bad if you don’t, since there’s no other option for the media keys. There’s also a calculator button. Really? Not that useful to me, but I could see where it might be. Runs on Windows XP and anything newer (up to 7). You’ll need a CD-Rom, a USB port, and 100mb of hard drive storage to access all it’s extras.

The wrist rest is a love-it-or-hate-it situation. It’s permanently part of the board. Cannot be removed. So, if you like it, great. If you don’t like it… not so great.

It would be nice if there were a USB pass-through, but this keyboard lacks the option. If that’s important to you, best look elsewhere. I don’t mind, since USB ports take power which would be better used running the keys and controls at optimum ability.

The keys are comfortable, and a little bit noisy. Not bad, but not silent.

Overall reviews are excellent. Out of 121 customer reviews, 11 rated it 2 or below. All others rated 3 or higher, with the majority giving the Sidewinder a 5.

My take? The Sidewinder X4 is a decent gaming keyboard, and an excellent backlit keyboard, if you don’t mind only the one color. The video below doesn’t show much of the features, but does a good job showing the illuminated keys.

Overall Rating:

Sale Price: $43.23

Microsoft SideWinder X4 Keyboard