September 10th, 2008 by
Filed under: Peripherals

Apparently fearing it would get lost among all its other product announcements yesterday, Microsoft waited until today to get official with its new SideWinder X8 mouse, which boasts the same BlueTrack technology as the company’s new Explorer mice but in a more gamer-friendly package. Those touches include a play and charge system to let you keep playing while your battery recharges, switchable DPI settings, interchangeable feet to suit your “glide preference,” seven programmable buttons, and a dedicated macro record button, to name a few. Unfortunately, you’re going to have to wait even longer to get your hands on this one, with it only set to be released in February, 2009 (for $100), but you can at least get a good idea of what’s in store by hitting up Maximum PC’s hands-on below.
Read - Microsoft Press Release
Read - Maximum PC, “Hands-on with Microsoft’s SideWinder X8 Mouse”
Permalink | Email this | Comments


Posted in Microsoft, mouse, sidewinder, BlueTrack, sidewinder x8, SidewinderX8 | No Comments »
August 20th, 2008 by
Filed under: Peripherals
We had a hunch that Microsoft would be launching a SideWinder-branded keyboard this fall, and sure enough, the suits in Redmond are keeping the revitalized name alive with an all new September-bound input peripheral combo. The SideWinder X6 is hailed as the “first gaming keyboard created by Microsoft from the ground up, and the only gaming keyboard on the market with a switchable key pad.” When not in gaming mode, the key pad transforms into a full-programmable macro pad. You’ll also find two-color adjustable backlighting, mode switching and a $79.95 price tag. As for the X5 mouse, this critter packs nine buttons (five of which are customizable), a 2,000DPI laser tracking engine, six DPI settings (adjustable on the fly) and a $59.95 sticker. Full release is just after the break.
Continue reading Microsoft intros SideWinder X6 keyboard and X5 mouse
Permalink | Email this | Comments


Posted in Microsoft, mouse, sidewinder, keyboard, input peripheral, InputPeripheral, sidewinder x5, SideWinder x6, SidewinderX5, SidewinderX6, x5, x6 | No Comments »
July 18th, 2008 by
Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals
Say, is this a Microsoft SideWinder-branded keyboard? Looks like it might just be. It looks like it’ll go by the name of SideWinder X6, and feature a detachable numeric keypad, programmable keys, and “cruise control” (don’t quote us, this is from a translation) which emulates a steady keypress. It’ll run $80 in September — that is, if this doesn’t just turn out to be pure rumor.
[Thanks, Husar]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments


Posted in Microsoft, sidewinder, keyboard | No Comments »
July 18th, 2008 by
Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals
Say, is this a Microsoft SideWinder-branded keyboard? Looks like it might just be. It looks like it’ll go by the name of SideWinder X6, and feature a detachable numeric keypad, programmable keys, and “cruise control” (don’t quote us, this is from a translation) which emulates a steady keypress. It’ll run $80 in September — that is, if this doesn’t just turn out to be pure rumor.
[Thanks, Husar]
Update: Reader RainMotorsports points out that the side profile looks, well, unconvincing. Certainly right, especially when you ask yourself where those giant knobs went. Hey, we never said this was a sure thing!
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments


Posted in Microsoft, sidewinder, keyboard | No Comments »
September 28th, 2007 by
Filed under: Peripherals

We know, Microsoft’s resurrection of the SideWinder brought back fond memories for most us of, but with all the alternatives already out there in the gaming mouse niche, it’s going to take a bit more than fuzzy feelings to get our $80. Thankfully, the folks over at I4U News spent some quality time with the new SideWinder mouse, and after realizing that it looks a bit gentler in person, they proceeded to crank through hours of gaming to see how it fared. Notably, the LCD screen was dubbed “actually useful,” the 2,000dpi was said to be “plenty of sensitivity,” and the thumb buttons were deemed “perfect from a tactile feedback perspective.” Still, reviewers found more hype than substance in the Quick Turn button, and while the scroll wheel seemed “great for gaming,” it wasn’t as friendly during everyday tasks. Nevertheless, the crew awarded the revived critter a very generous nine out of ten stars, but if you’ve still got your doubts, hit the read link and check out the full skinny.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Posted in Microsoft, review, mouse, reviewed, sidewinder | No Comments »