MS SideWinder X6 Keyboard, SideWinder X5 Mouse

[Tami]

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.

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.”

08_20SideWinder_lg.jpg

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. (Cruise Control does not work with programmable macro keys.)
• 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. (The Quick-Launch button will open IntelliType keyboard or IntelliPoint mouse software when using Windows XP.)

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.

[attachment=3926:MS_SideW...g_Mouse_.jpg]

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. (Actual retail prices may vary.) 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 [url=\"http://www.microsoft.com/hardware\"]http://www.microsoft.com/hardware[/url].

[Jim]

How come all of the really nice new mice are the optical kind that you have to move around instead of the ones with the ball on top /cry.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\':(\' /> I've been looking for a really nice new mouse but can't find one.

[Tami]

You mean with a tracker ball? Logitech has some [url=\"http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/mice_pointers/trackballs/&cl=ca,en\"]nice ones[/url]

Personally I like my glowie gold and black Razer Guild Wars mouse /yes.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\'(nod)\' />

[Josh]

So do I, Tami. I would love to have one of those!

I'm not sure I would like the keyboard at all and the mouse is a big maybe. I'm not one for those '21 billion button' mice. /cry.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\':(\' /> Plus, why would you want a button to launch the Vista games explorer? When all I play is Guild Wars and RollerCoaster Tycoon 3, why would I need the games explorer? It's dumb anyway, unless you're a parent that wants to really restrict access to games and such.

[Jim]

Yea, I meant a trackball, couldn't think of the name lol. Really I only like 3 buttons and a scroll wheel; a button that works for "back" when browsing is really nice. I wish this one was corded...and less expensive ;\ [url=\"http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/mice_pointers/trackballs/devices/189&cl=ca,en\"]http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/mice_poi...89&cl=ca,en[/url]

[Josh]

We sell that at RadioShack /blum.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\':P\' /> But yeah, it's not corded /cry.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\':(\' /> lol. It's not that expensive in our store though :S