Microsoft Sidewinder X6 Gaming Keyboard Review

The Sidewinder X6 has received countless of reviews and opinions since it is the first gaming keyboard from Redmond to bear the Sidewinder's name. Previously their Reclusa branded keyboard was co-logod with Razer, renowned for their expertise in designing PC peripherals aimed at the gaming crowd. While the Reclusa was a great first attempt at capturing gamers interests at a time when gaming keyboards were still the new kid on the block, gaming keyboards have matured to the point that people are looking at true value and performance benefit from investing a considerable amount of their gaming budget into something as simple as a keyboard.

Keyboards are, however, anything but simple. This holds especially true for gaming keyboards which must now sport at minimum macro recording/playback functionality, a well laid out key design, good feedback on keys for intense gaming, easily accessible multimedia controls for those times when gamers need to control media playback and a durable design to withstand hours of hardcore gaming action. If you've ever watched a pro-gamer play counterstrike you know that their keyboards are measured with an average life expectancy of a few weeks at most.

The Reclusa (21" x 10.5" x 1.9") sits alongside with the SideWinder X6 (20.2" x 9.22" x 1.8")

In-depth Look
The Sidewinder X6 therefor features a classic keyboard layout to complement the typing and gaming skills of both average joe and pro-gamer. The advantages of this keyboard over others is the detachable numeric keypad and large dials to control both volume and back-lighting. I am surprised that Microsoft didn't get Lucasarts endorsement for this keyboard as a Star Wars themed keyboard since the black on black color scheme does remind me of a TIE fighter, especially once night comes and the red back-lighting is dialed up to full intensity.

Two prominent dials take care of the back-lighting intensity level and volume control.

While the back-lighting is intense there is little to no light leakage at any location on the keyboard where you would not expect it. The use of a dial also helps you tune the lighting to your specific needs without destroying your room ambiance. Key characters are well lit and easy to find in complete darkness and retain their usual key shapes.

For those who want to use the numeric keypad on the left side of the main keyboard, the Sidewinder features two magnetic points on both left and right sides with a proprietary docking port to attach the numeric keypad to. The magnetic points help guide the numeric keypad into the main keyboard similar to Apple's magnetic tip power supply and thus reduce any damage induced by repeatedly trying to force the keypad in at odd angles.

Two magnetic points on both left and right sides attach the numpad together with the keyboard.

The keyboard does not feature any integrated USB port(s) to allow users to attach their low-/full-speed mice directly which does annoy when you have a plethora of USB peripherals and attached cables cluttering your desk. The lack of height adjustment also gives the keyboard bad marks since height adjustment via retractable feet should have been easy enough to integrate into the design. Even Microsoft's previous gaming keyboard, Reclusa, had retractable feet for height adjustment. Given the focus on gaming this is probably the Sidewinder X6's biggest caveat since seating at LAN parties can often be a sore point which can impact your typing/gaming response speed if you're sitting lower than the keyboard and your wrists are strained after numerous hours of blasting away at undead hordes. The lack of a detachable wrist-rest means users with reduced desk sizes will also need to occupy a sizable portion of their desk even when not resting their wrists.

After using the keyboard for a few days, you'll also start noticing the attraction of dust particles on the keyboard's mirror finished surface, so for those with pets, you have been warned. Expect to clean the Siderwinder X6 from fingerprints, pet hair, dust particles on a repeated basis. Maybe Microsoft should have included a cleaning cloth to counter this or stuck to a matte finish instead.

The left side of the keyboard features a column of macro keys ready for your custom macro assignment and light up brightly with an amber glow while the main keyboard keys light up red. When the numeric keypad is switched to macro mode it uses the same amber glow, when the numeric keypad is used without the macro function the keys light up red, making number entering tasks or accessing an individual macro key a breeze in the dark.

The Sidewinder X6 is built with a strong black plastic frame and no detachable parts which means it should rarely if ever have any parts that fall off. The keys feel solid and give great tactile feedback when pressed and don't wobble sideways after quick typing. For those looking for a click sound after every key press I'm afraid this isn't the keyboard for you. The Sidewinder X6 purrs like a kitten when in use and while not as silent as the Logitech Illuminated or the Reclusa, it is as silent as a gamer might want it. The lack of retractable feet also reduce any chance that the feet might be snapped off in the middle of a gaming match and possibly the only issue we could foresee is that the keypad might stop functioning with repeated hot-swaps between the left and right side of the main keyboard even though the docking port has magnetic tips to help guide the connectors together and the connector itself appears fairly robust.