Microsoft Sidewinder X6 Gaming Keyboard user reviews

Pros * Ergonomically different in a good way with the switching keypad.
* The back-lighting is pleasant and un-obtrusive.
* Quality feel and neat styling appropriate for gaming and daily work.

Cons * Slightly larger dimensions than a standard keyboard.
* Wrist rest is not removable.
* Key feel is similar to a laptop, but not a deal-breaker.

Summary If Batman had a (gaming) keyboard:

Key touch: The key touch is very smooth, but medium/soft and similar to a laptop keyboard. The keys aren't very tall and don't have very far to push to reach the bottom of the keypress. The small "ribs" on the "F" and "J" keys feel a bit more noticeable than some other keyboards I've tried and I like it. This is NOT a mechanical keyboard or like a traditional "clicky" keyboard. I would prefer a little more key feel and travel, but I find it comfortable and not "cheap" feeling.

Back-lighting: Rich, red, and inoffensive. The back-lighting does shine through the lettering of the keys. I have the keyboard in a cubicle environment and the fact that I can dim the back-lighting all the way makes the keyboard a little more stealthy. However, the red back-lighting is not ridiculous or "cheap" looking. This might be important to someone who doesn't want to be identified at work as a "gamer" or "that guy".

Keyboard geography: The ESC key location other reviewers complain about is not too hard to get used to in my opinion. The removable keypad makes a huge difference in tight quarters where you want your right-handed mouse to be close to the center of the typing area. I definitely appreciate that the arrow keys and "Insert, Delete, Home, PgUp, PgDn" key grouping is traditional and doesn't require re-learning.

Size: This is not a "compact" keyboard and takes up perhaps 2-4 inches more space than a traditional keyboard with they keypad attached. Without the keypad attached, the keyboard is about an inch smaller than a traditional keyboard. Also, the wrist rest is not removable which makes this keyboard larger than a traditional keyboard and is a small complaint but works ok for me.

Overall: I have used the keyboard for about a week. The keyboard is an excellent upgrade for my workstation. The ability to have my right-hand closer to the center of the keyboard is the major reason I bought this and it significantly helps with arm/shoulder fatigue. It can look stealthy or cool and well-defined. Nothing about this keyboard says "cheap". If Batman had a keyboard, this would probably be it.

Pros lots of programmable keys
great touches for the keys
removable numpad

Cons none really

Summary basically a very well built product, however from the above comments I see that some people might have a defected product. I've had mine X6 for 2 and a half years now. Everything is working perfectly and no paint chipping off so far.

Pros Very good backlight, you can see all buttons in dark. Bouncy buttons for fast response in strategy and mmo games. Easy to understand software. I could program all my Sc2 buildings to macro buttons which gave me speed in combat. Volume knob is great.

Cons There is no lifting legs. I could wish for standby, power up, browser control buttons (but you can assign them to macro buttons with the software. No Turkish layout.

Summary I was going to wait for razers new mechanical or gigabytes new gaming keyboard but my keyboard suddenly started fail in several buttons. Because of the my computer was going out of standby state. After walking for hours to see what options I have in retail stores I finally saw this and the shop worker finally agreed to open one box and show how this stuff is like. I clicked few times and I got the right feeling. I could not find a high grade gaming keyboard cheaper than this (including logitech and razer keyboards) so I ended up buying this and I am very satisfied so far. I have to get used to the key layouts now. Sometimes I press wrong buttons during rts games. I think this will take some time for me.

Pros Looks good, and works fine (for a little while).

Cons Bad construction, some keys eventualy stoped working after a month.

Summary two number keys stop working after the first month I bought it. The o key stp workinh yesterday. This keyboard is suposed to last longer that normal and cheap keybards, but mine lasted only one month working correctly. Too bad that guaranties in Mexico are hard to apply.