Hardware Microsoft Sidewinder X4 Keyboard Review

I'm oldfashioned and like "professional" Cherry keyboards.
Though admittedly the lowhight "laptop" style keyboards game very nice too.

Media keys usually dont run without an extra driver or program...meh
Why aren't usb hubs standart though?

 

I just read that the media keys only work for Windows Media Player.

I hope thats not true.

 

I really do not understand why they don't use LEDs that can change colour or offer two versions as blue is such a commonly used colour with PCs. I too would look at this keyboard if it had a blue option.

How come Bit-Tech hasn't reviewed the new Logitech G110 yet?

 

looks good

however the fat enter key is absolutely retarded

 

the fat enter key is normal on uk keyboards

 

the us version has a normal, 1 row enter key.

 

You spanners, just put the light on, then you can see the keys to press.

 

Wow, never even knew there was a UK/US difference when it comes to enter keys. You learn something every day.

 

That is far too easy... Once I get used to using a backlight keyboard I'll move on to closing my eyes.

 

Seconded! I actually googled for a US keyboard just to see - they have some crazy extra key between backspace and enter, it seems.

 

the one that makes | and \ is between the backspace and enter

 

Yay for that anti-ghosting! That has to be one of the biggest annoyances of keyboards IMO. I always thought that was an OS limitation but guess not.

 

this keyboard looks very similar to a Logitech illuminated.

 

After my X6 crapped out on a few keys with only a few months of service I went and got a G15 and have never been happier.
With the removable keypad on the X6 it made the keyboard too long to fit on my desk so I was stuck without a keypad. The G15 on the other hand fits perfectly with about half and inch to spare on each side.

 

Im in the market for a new keyboard (and mouse) so may very well buy this. Don't want to go back to silly wires though been wireless for around 5 years now

 

Bit-Tech...

Any chance of a review of the Logitech G110 coming up? Also, is there any chance of a comparison with some of the gaming keyboards against the popular but NOT gaming keyboards to find out if we are wasting money on the supposed 'gaming' aspects?

 

Gaming aspects usually just means back lighting. Occasionally it means usb ports or macro keys...the latter of which you can do by third party programs for free anyway.

I use the best board ever (Eclipse II) and its a 'gaming keyboard'. Has absolutely no gaming features though...besides back lighting. My belief is, that a keyboard cannot be taken seriously unless it is back lit. This is the 21st century. I wanna be able to type in the dark dammit! Anything else is prehistoric...and unless its attached to an Amiga it must DIE.

 

well theoretically if you're so hardcore you should be able to type in the dark without your keys being lit



As for the G110, I am typing on one right now. What do you need to know ?

 

I too need my next keyboard to be back lit. Although I mean properly back lit where it's not just a glow from behind the keys but actually light up through the keys, unlike some keyboards. I also wish to have media controls on my keyboard too.

I guess just the usually question, 'Is it worth the £70 price tag?'
There are other keyboards that feature back lit keys and media controls and I am not so fussed about the Macro buttons. I do like the look of the G110 and it is my first choice over the likes of the Razer Lycosa. The X4 would have been a serious consideration if it was available with blue LEDs as it is half the price of the G110 and seems to tick all the other boxes too. But I just can't be having a red lit keyboard.

 

Alas, I am not hardcore. I need to see my keys