Microsoft intros SideWinder X6 keyboard and X5 mouse
by Darren Murph 
posted Aug 20th 2008 at 3:01AM
Transform With Microsoft's New SideWinder X6 Keyboard; Industry's First Switchable Key Pad Moves From Work to Play
SideWinder line expands with first-ever keyboard and new SideWinder X5 Mouse.
LEIPZIG, Germany Aug. 20, 2008 Today at the Games Convention in Leipzig, Germany, Microsoft Hardware debuted the SideWinder X6 Keyboard - the most versatile gaming keyboard on the market with the first-ever switchable key pad that can be attached to the left or right side of the keyboard for ultimate flexibility. To round out the SideWinder line, the Hardware team is also announcing the SideWinder X5 Mouse, a fast, powerful gaming mouse designed to give mainstream gamers a competitive edge.
The switchable key pad makes the SideWinder X6 Keyboard ideal for gaming as well as productivity, as the key pad functions as a standard num pad in normal keyboard mode, but becomes a programmable macro pad in game mode. Complementing the unique versatility of the keyboard are features specifically designed for gaming, including the capacity to store up to 90 macros per game and backlighting that helps users get immersed in the game.
"We know that consumers don't want to pull out and set up a second keyboard for a gaming session, so we created a device that was perfect for both gaming and regular computer use," said Kevin Flick, user researcher for Microsoft Hardware. "With the switchable key pad, gamers will have a fantastic, customizable experience whether they're playing their favorite game or creating Microsoft Office PowerPoint presentations."
Powerful Versatility
The SideWinder X6 Keyboard's switchable key pad allows gamers to program up to 90 macros per game with the help of a set of dedicated macro keys as well as a fully programmable key pad. With mode switching, gamers can instantly go from Microsoft Office Excel to their favorite game - and place the macro pad on whichever side they prefer for gaming. The X6 also offers the following features to take advantage of its adaptability:
• Mode switching lets gamers manually toggle the keyboard from standard mode to either of two gaming modes. LEDs show the selected mode.
• Automatic profile switching detects the application that is running and applies the custom profile.
Designed for Gaming
The SideWinder X6 Keyboard is more than a standard keyboard with a few extra bells and whistles - it was built from the ground up with gamers in mind, to give them an edge up on their competition. To complement its versatility, the keyboard has the following additional features to produce the ultimate gaming package:
• New Cruise Control feature continues an action without having to hold down the key or keys assigned to the action. Gamers can use Cruise Control with up to four keys at a time.1
• In-game macro record button lets gamers record any sequence of keystrokes - even standard chat messages. Macros are stored on the PC hard drive and can be easily shared.
• WASD gaming keys, the most commonly used keys for gamers, have front-face lighting for enhanced visibility.
• Quick-Launch key gives one-touch access to Windows Vista Games Explorer, allowing gamers to quickly see the games in their PC's game library.
Get Immersed
Gamers enjoy a heightened experience when adsorbed in the gaming world. Research shows many gamers like to dim the lights, and the X6's two-color adjustable backlighting helps set the mood to achieve total immersion. The red backlighting indicates standard keys that are not programmable, while the amber color indicates custom-programmable macro keys in game mode that can be tuned to the gamers' preference. The X6 also includes full media keys and volume and backlighting control dials to fine-tune the gaming experience.
SideWinder X5 Mouse
Today, Microsoft also announced the SideWinder X5 Mouse, a fast, powerful gaming mouse designed to give mainstream gamers a competitive edge. The nine-button gaming mouse is designed for handling with vertical side buttons, adjustable sensitivity switching up to 2,000 DPI, five customizable buttons, and a Quick-Launch button that instantly launches the Windows Vista Games Explorer.
SideWinder: It's Only the Beginning
The SideWinder X6 Keyboard is the first keyboard to join the popular SideWinder family of gaming products. Established in 1995 and revived in 2007, the SideWinder line is known for its top-notch PC gaming peripherals, including mice, game pads, joysticks and steering wheels.
Pricing and Availability
The SideWinder X6 Keyboard and SideWinder X5 Mouse will be widely available in September 2008 for an estimated retail price of $79.95 (U.S.) and $59.95 (U.S.), respectively.3 The products are available now for pre-sale on Amazon.com and will ship in September when they are widely released. The SideWinder X6 Keyboard and SideWinder X5 Mouse will be backed by a worldwide three-year limited hardware warranty from Microsoft Corp. More information about these and other Microsoft Hardware products can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/hardware.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
404 @ Aug 20th 2008 3:10AM
"volume and backlighting control dials"
Dammit, I thought those knobs were a built-in etch-a-sketch there...
white_ultras @ Aug 20th 2008 3:12AM
Very nice keyboard!
even the layout is nearly the same as the good IBM one.
I am not sure about the column of keys on the left though, they might mess with my typing.
Any slight deviation from the old well thought IBM standard is always a bad thing.
King Mustard @ Aug 20th 2008 3:23AM
That is damn ugly.
)law( @ Aug 20th 2008 3:23AM
Wasn't there a rc car named sidewinder years ago?
Jon @ Aug 20th 2008 1:13PM
Microsoft has been making Sidewinder products since the early 90s I believe. This is just them bringing back the brand name.
MastrCake @ Aug 20th 2008 3:26AM
'Bout damn time!!!
And I like that the reversable keypad actually has a purpose beyond quirkyness. The macro feature of it will be really handy!
Also, the mouse looks MUCH better. Let's just hope that the wheel has been improved a bit.
Chris @ Aug 20th 2008 11:25AM
They should allow adding a secondary keypad, so you could have one on each side.
UnixSystemsEngineer @ Aug 20th 2008 3:33AM
who knows if it'll be any good, but DAMN that is a good price!
a @ Aug 20th 2008 3:49AM
REALLY WANT!!!
no money tho.
Hellios @ Aug 20th 2008 4:29AM
I'm glad microsoft is keeping the tradition that "gaming" and "atrocious" go hand in hand together. Although I see this as a very smart move on their part, seeing how this market is dominated by just two Logitech keyboards, and this thing has great potential.
Also in the end, competition is always good for the end user.
Twitchy @ Aug 20th 2008 5:47AM
Call me a pragmatist, but I like function and substance over looks for my interfaces. Honestly, how often do you wear your keyboard in public?
jimmyink @ Aug 20th 2008 5:27AM
Nice to see they are targeting a very niche market... Blind Gamers. Then again, most gaming rigs look like evil robots from a bad 70's movie.
Jack @ Aug 20th 2008 5:32AM
ill keep my G15 thanks! much nicer!
chef @ Aug 20th 2008 5:34AM
Ugh, another keyboard with a limited set of macro-able keys.
Is there any program that lets you create toggle-able configurations for ALL keys? A lot of the customizable gamepad stuff wouldn't be necessary if you could easily switch between custom layouts for any standard keyboard; the only advantage these things have is being able to set up macros on the hardware, on the fly without having to use a configuration program (if they even support this).
zsyco @ Aug 20th 2008 9:34AM
I'm not a big macro user, but, is 90 not enough??
giuliop @ Aug 20th 2008 6:35AM
How strange, it looks exactly like the photos you posted a little while ago (http://ln2.us/049008), dubbed fake, and said "we never said this was a sure thing". So, are you sure that you're wrong this time or what?
zsyco @ Aug 20th 2008 9:34AM
That keyboard would be a good replacement for my Saitek keyboard as long as it's not too big for my desk. I would go nicely with my current Sidewinder mouse...... Microsoft hardware has been surprisingly well done lately, not like that dang MN-700 router I bought a few years ago.
silverblackvoid @ Aug 20th 2008 10:00AM
fuck optimus maximus. i want this!
Sal @ Aug 20th 2008 11:02AM
Saitek's first Eclipse keyboard had a break away keypad, back lit colors...almost the as features as this MS keyboard. The main difference is, the Saitek is a lot thinner. this thing is a beast
kojo87 @ Aug 20th 2008 1:08PM
wow a MS gaming mouse that's not actually a Razer. looks like a nice setup but i really dont understand the breakaway number pad. i like it but i wont be ditching my Razer Lycosa and DeathAdder anytime soon for this.
Rahabib @ Aug 20th 2008 3:31PM
I dont think it looks that bad, but what I dont understand is why make it compete with the G15 in price but still lack the functionality of the LCD? it should be slightly cheaper or compete with the G11.
Wwhat @ Aug 21st 2008 1:07PM
It will be, it's already dropping in price.
The_Steven @ Aug 20th 2008 10:10PM
Woo Hoo!! I can have a Left-Handed Keyboard again!!!!
SoloSalsa @ Aug 20th 2008 10:47PM
That's something I've recently pondered: what do left-handed people do about numpads? Do they make special numpads with [+][enter] on the left?
Luke @ Aug 21st 2008 3:39PM
I'm delighted someone has brought a keyboard out with movable keypad, moving the numeric pad to the left reduces the distance a right handed person has to stretch for the mouse, thus improving posture and reducing arm/wrist pain reaching for the mouse. By moving the numeric pad to the left, your mouse will be about 3 inches closer to you, and you can have your spacebar centered to your monitor.
So all current keyboards are lefthand keyboards.
Galley @ Aug 21st 2008 8:47AM
Fuh...Glee!
Michelle @ Aug 21st 2008 6:17PM
Real Left-handed keyboards have the arrow-keys and home-end-pgup-pgdn cluster at the left size in a mirror like layout
http://www.onehandtypist.com/imagesfolder/leftkeyb.gif
therefore this SideWinder X6 is not a left or right handed, is just a right handed able to unplug the numpad
imaging being left handed and using the numpad at the left size, but then you need to press an arrow key, guess what, you have to use your right hand or move your left hand 12 inches to the right every time, not a smart design
the fact that you can unplug the numpad is a good idea so you can plug and unplug it as you wish, but if you don't really use the numpad I prefer a keyboard without numpad
http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/mightymouse1.html
besides, seeing the side connectors and the crooked outside lines makes me wonder which moron designed this keyboard to begin with.
Luke @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:26AM
Cool, you don't see left hand keyboards like that everyday.
Indeed that is a true lefty, just that then you're back to the same problem of the mouse being too far away. I understand that people use their main hand for the numeric pad.
As a right handed person I might just look into that "left handed" keyboard could work great for me and help with my posture.
Developer @ Aug 22nd 2008 4:13AM
I hope that they was not thinking there are only computer users that are right-hand in the world, they had developed this mouse for computer users who are LEFT-HAND!!!