Sidewinder X4
The Microsoft SideWinder X4 Keyboard is a relatively inexpensive gaming keyboard that is great for playing any number of games. It has an advanced anti ghosting system that makes sure that the keys that you press are the characters that show up on screen. The description says that you can press up to 26 keys without ghosting. I do not know how to test this effectively, but I have never had any problems with ghosting while typing or while playing games.
Macros
One thing that I really like about this keyboard is the profile switching feature. The keyboard automatically checks to see which application you are running, and then applies custom preferences and hotkeys. There are six programmable macro keys, with three banks, for a total of 18 total macros. The keys are very comfortable to type on, and I like how there are different settings for the legs. The three different settings let me fiddle with the keyboard more than similar keyboards that I own. However, the keys themselves are quiet loud to type on, which is a definite downside.
Drivers and Backlighting
This keyboard also has backlighting, which is a deep blood red. I think it looks absolutely amazing in the dark, and can be changed into three different illumination levels based on the darkness that you’re using the keyboard in. You do have to install the drivers through a CD first, and then plug in the USB cable before the keyboard works properly. I didn’t see the CD at first and couldn’t get the special keys to work properly until I realized my mistake and installed it. The keyboard will work on Windows 7, Vista, or XP, and requires 100 MB of memory. I thought that this amount of memory to simply use a keyboard was quite a bit, though I can understand why it would be needed with the macro keys and profile switching.
Multimedia Keys
The media keys on this keyboard are quite simplistic, which I like, though they could have included more hot keys concerning Internet use. The media hot keys only control the current music and the volume, and will only work with Windows Media Player. I primarily use iTunes to play music, and the fact that these keys aren’t compatible is kind of disappointing. The built in hand rest is comfortable and provides support, but adds a bit of size to the keyboard and can’t be detached, which makes this keyboard require more space. It sells for $59.99 on Amazon, and is a good, all around keyboard. However, for gamers or typists, I would recommend looking elsewhere, as this keyboard isn’t the best, or cheapest, option out there.
Dylan Lamberti - I have been writing on-line for a period of just under two years, and have written for such sites as Demand Media Studios and Brighthub.
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