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This may very well be the best keyboard I've ever owned. Well worth the money. If it had a few USB ports on it, it would be perfect.
I have the Logitech gaming keyboard, and have owned a number of keyboards, and this is by far the best. If Logitech made a keyboard with this break-off keypad design it would beat the Microsoft keyboard in most respects. For regular and gaming use this is a big win.As a gaming keyboard it is fine, and the keys feel adequate (not stellar). The simple reason is that it is a gaming keyboard that allows the number keypad to be placed on the left side of the keyboard.I am right handed, so this may seem a strange reason to recommend this keyboard, but ergonomically moving out the keypad puts the main part of the keyboard and the mouse closer together. You don't reach far to move the mouse. But again, an adequate gaming keyboard with one really great feature.I also like the big round knob used for controlling volume versus the usual + and - buttons.Minor quibbles include the placement of the "Esc" key, I keep hitting F1 by mistake and that it has a non-detachable hand rest.But the detachable keypad for ergonomic reasons makes this keyboard a "must have", and deserving of 5 stars despite minor problems.
It goes very nice with my MS Gaming Mouse, although I have not found any particular synergies. (The num pad can be made to be all macro so I will probably start down that route).OK Those are my negatives, the positives:The keys press firmly and nicely. I have yet to come up with a creative, and trainable solution but am going to keep trying. All I care is it doesn't work in Warhammer unless I disable User Access Control (UAC). I have a hard time finding these keys but I figure that is just a training issue, but the alignment feels different (I hit ~ a lot when going for the 1 key).
And the dual lighting on the keyboard is very nice. I have had both G15s so this is my third gaming keyboard. I got this keyboard to replace my G15. I purchased the keyboard for Warhammer Online, to help me with the extreme number of keys that need to bound for your abilities.The first thing to be aware of, is the macros are driven by software driver. I would give it 5/5 if weren't for the driver issue that interferes with my play patterns. In general the keyboard is very nice, but I suggest consider what game you want it for. The volume knob is very nice.
I know, I know this probably isn't a deficiency in the driver but in the game software. There has to be gold in there somewhere. Also this is a result of the decision to support macros via driver.Also the num-pad switching position is nice, but I haven't found a use for it. There is also a deficiency in the drivers that do not allow the macros to execute in games that require administrator mode in Vista. If your hands must always be on the a,w,s,d for moving, then the number pad is too far out of reach to reach easily. The Macro keys on the left are nice but I still find them hard to get to with a pinky if I'm required to work my movement keys.So all in all, a very good keyboard with a few issues with my play style and/or hand size (I have long fingers).
The keyboard is SOLID, types great. After purchasing the X6, i ALLMOST love it more than the classic G15 LCD. Had a problem with the 3,e,d,c key not registering on keypress, but i stuffed a bit of paper in the bottom of the key and it works like new. Macros made on the X6 are 100% ILLEGAL in MMOs. But it falls short simply because i cant figure out how to turn off the macros pause recording feature. Since they record time between keypresses and not an actual macro scripting function. I would ONLY recomend this keyboard if you DO NOT own a classic G15 LCD keyboard.
;)5. I am regretting this purchase. I don't think so. Software I was upset when I saw amount of HD space software required, 100MB. This keyboard was to complement voice control through macro keys.
You will be frustrated by the fact Microsoft so casually misplaced the ESC key. What good is macro when it really doesn't macro. But no, there is nothing fancy going on on this keyboard. Keyboards do not have legs to angle the keys. 4. I will update when other third party program actually make this keyboard useful.
There is no hint of Macro features until you go to Key Settings tab and click on Assign/Manage Macro or Configure key. Numeric Keypad Detachable keypad is a good thing to have. Do you think they will let AutoHotKey hook into it. No other feature. Buy it but without the expectation of pro gamer quality tool. Too many of current keyboards just aren't angled right. How in the world they manage to crash the keyboard driver.
Key rocks side ways a bit unlike IBM/Fujitsu type old keyboard. Preface : I am an avid gamer and 60+ WPM typist. It loaded itype.exe which was 2.2MB in size which took about 484KB of memory when loaded. ** (Update) My keyboard driver crashed while playing WoW. 2 USB ports on the keyboard is very practical and it was simply taken out to save pennies for Microsoft. 6. 2.
Attaching and detaching does not affect the computer. Nope. So what happens when your X6 keyboard driver crashes. Two Dials that control light and sound is good size and has decent resistance that works well.
Microsoft put this X6 out as a gaming device. USB (Or lack there of). It is a good keyboard even though it is not the best. All your non-standard key don't work. Quality The keyboard is made of cheap plastic.
But if you are paying what they are asking, you should look for best keyboard that you can click away day and night. Program****itype.exe R6025 - pure virtual function call." You would think it could possible have Macro/Scripting ability. Click on the keyboard on the Sidewinder is soft but luckily click has good solid feedback. Help file that supposed to help is not specific for this keyboard but a general help for all Microsoft Keyboard. It uses magnet to pull two parts together almost automatically. I am sure I am at fault not Microsoft.
* Based on quality of its software and design, I believe this product was designed and marketed with sole purpose of diluting recent programmable keyboard market boom for gamers. Keyboard layout has fatal flaw. BTW, there is no printed manual. You will miss that extra ports. Conclusion Microsoft Sidewinder X6 is not for the pro-gamers. Initially I thought Microsoft was doing something spectacular with USB power that it could not simply spare extra power to give us 2 USB ports on the keyboard. It is put together just good enough. If you press middle part of the keyboard, keyboard bends in 1/8 of an inch.
This is fatal. I expected a lot because it was supposedly a product focused on gamers. Below is the error message I got. Each key is not mounted solid and gives a little. Macro Editor is just a glorified keystroke repeater. "period".
If you are an avid gamer, do not buy this keyboard. Look at Logitech G15 and see where ESC should be at. It feels a bit flat to the desk. Without any features that really had any thoughts and actual research in it, this product will quietly disappear into shadows soon enough. Keypad don't work.
Detail : 1. You have to restart your computer."Runtime Error. Then you are presented with Macro Editor. Microsoft isn't about making things work if it doesn't make money on it.
I had been looking for an old Logitech G15 keyboard lately and decided to purchase Sidewinder X6. When typing, it is bothersome. So is the driver. But they have placed ESC key in the wrong place. You will have to rely on third part software still like AutoHotKey. But the application did not actually used all that.
Most of the time, you do not need it and removing it can reduce the space your keyboard takes up. I believe this keyboard was designed for teens who like fancy looking keyboard instead of providing a true utilitarian keyboard for real gamers. Lighting scheme of using orange for macro keys and red for normal keys works well with black keyboard. Attaching mechanism is well designed. I run 7 instances of WoW with Vista Speech Recognition.
The connection is solid enough that it will stay in place on the desk but when you lift up the keyboard it may fall off. I have clicked the F1 and my finger is wandering too much whenever I need to click ESC and that is fatal. Ergonomics Touch typists are very sensitive to key mechanism. 3. Its macro feature is a joke you will still be relying on third party software for that. It looks like a compromise that Microsoft took for the looks instead of following traditional keyboard layout. Just to show how cheesy the keyboard is.
They finished the same sheet of platic glossy in the middle and matte top and bottom. It is designed and made for home consumer market. It uses keyboard properties in the control panel instead of using its own utility program. There are 18 buttons including the dedicated calculator button. Macro Editor is another huge disappointment. Poohaha.
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