Microsoft Sidewinder X4 Keyboard reviews

I wanted only 3 things in a new keyboard. It had to be backlit, it had to be usb and it had to be inexpensive. This has those features and more. I really only tend to use the volume control and one or two macro keys so I'm not using it to its potential. At just over $50 it's a well built keyboard at a good price.

This keyboard does everything I need it to, and I will be using the programmable macro keys when I can think of something complicated for them to simplify. By far my favourite thing is the fact that the keys are backlit, making it easy to use when watching things or playing games in the dark. Media keys and calculator key are also useful. If you want a good relatively cheap keyboard i'd highly reccomend this.

At first I was put off by the idea that it was a microsoft keyboard, but now I'm loving it. With the three keybinding settings or auto plus the macro keys, I am able to swap and change settings between games without even having to press a button. The media keys work in game without disrupting the fullscreen either. I only have two complaints. The macro keys taking up the left of the keyboard means everything is shifted right and it takes some getting used to all the new locations and at the top right is a pretty useless and pointless calculator hotkey.

this keyboard is decent, I am still using it after one and half years, love the backlit light. really helps. the Macro are awesome too. the Price is great. only 1 problem is that the keyboard will use up more ram and sometimes it stops my cursor from moving properly.

Good keyboard, easy to type on. Back-light can be dimmed or turned off. Macros are useful for games. The Intellitype software can recognise which game is running and enable the correct macro set.

This would be handy at work, as I'd macro the sentences I regularly write.

Much cheaper than other “gaming” keyboards, probably cause you are not paying for a bunch of features most people will never use.

Only thing I'd change is I'd add an indentation into the Caps Lock key, so you don't mistakenly hit it when going for the “A”. The majority of keyboards have this; don't know why they made Caps a full size key on this board.

This keyboard is worth buying. Only downside that I can say about it is that if you spill something on it, BE PREPARE to clean it for a tedious amount of time. The stickiness actually makes a glue substance with the chemicals on the keys, I think, and makes it like glue like.

BUT, other than that, it's a perfect keyboard. Great for gaming at night. The keys at the top work perfectly, and as for the macro keys, I cannot stress over how GREAT they are. Overall, a 9/10 keyboard.

Similar to the X3 mouse, this keyboard won't perform without the proper drivers. It also doesn't like being used on a KVM switch.

If you have a Mac, or a KVM switch, or simply an aversion to installing bloatware just so that you can use your keyboard, then this is not the device for you.

However it does work fine in Windows as long as you connect straight to the PC. It's decent for typing on as well as offering good control for gaming.

Nice keys and response and great back light is great,

This is solidified as the best keyboard I have ever used. The macro keys on the far left are fully customisable to the point of auto-typing specific messages into a chat box even while you are playing a game. I would recommend this piece of hardware with full satisfaction.

The back light on the keyboard makes it really easy to use in the evening without it being too bright.

The Keys are really nice to type with and the macro keys are a really nice feature.

Highly recommended!

The red lights are cool and the keys are nice to push, also in games were you need speed. Its good keyboard.

I just bought this keyboard and I am surprised to see how good it looks because it was so cheap aswell. I searched around before buying an MightyApe had the best price. The design of this keyboard is great and I love the macro keys. They are on the side and don't get in the way, but at the same time, they are really easy to access when you need them. 5 star rating for this great keyboard.

Probably the cheapest back-lit keyboard on the market. Has a solid build and weight about it. The clicking of the keystrokes is a little louder than my previous board, but could be because it is new. Very happy with it.

I love this thing, keys feel nice and responsive, Backlight is useful and the macro keys are awesome! one is assigned to auto-types my email address and the rest start programs. 10/10 for price vs function

I got this really cheap compared to the other gaming keyboards and haven't noticed any issues in terms of performance. I'm not a hardcore gamer who uses a million macros but I can understand the importance of macro keys.

The only issue I can report is that every now and then the keyboard will suddenly start doing something on it's own. I suspect it's a macro I recorded unknowingly but I've been unable to reproduce the issue in a controlled situation. It's rather irritating because I suddenly start sending random psts to whoever I last talked to in WoW and it lasts for a couple of minutes.

solid build quality, nice features, even some backlighting for the pro-gamer; the Sidewinder X4 is undoubtedly a big improvement over the muddled, oversized and overly complicated Sidewinder X6. Following about two ta three months use for both typing and gaming, it’s performed commendably and comfortably.

While the gaming keyboard market is one already swollen with competition, the X4 also handles itself well when it comes to price

the Sidewinder X4 is an all round excellent offering. Smart looks, good build quality and some useful features make it a great choice for those looking for a solid and affordable keyboard for gaming.

VERY SOLID TOUGH BUILD COMPARED WITH OTHER KEYBOARDS.

I enjoy using this keyboard its very comfy while typing while being able to rest palm playing battlefield 3 is great the backlit is the best cause i don,t have to have the bright light on all the time the buttons have a nice touching feeling to best keyboard out there i recommend it to a serious gamer or general typer 9/10 and awesome for price while on special and makes my computer look cool to.

You don't have to be a gamer to buy this keyboard. It's got nice keys, a wonderful layout and I really enjoy the volume options and the back light. REALLY great.

Just got the keyboard and already loving the macro functions.

Really useful when it comes to web developments not just for gaming.

Takes awhile to get used to the left side of the keys due to the slightly shorten “Shift” and the extra Macro keys. Took me 5mins to get over it.

Has all the right functions, video controls, back light on the keyboard have 4 modes [High/Mid/Low/Off].

Already assigned tons of macros for each banks(all 3 are full!)

There's also a calculator button to instantly crunch numbers, perfect for coders who uses formulas or those who just can't do their 12 times tables mentally anymore. :D

It's a comfortable keyboard. Initially took a while to get used to hand placement cause of the hotkeys, but it's not difficult. THe hotkeys are pretty great, but when you are playing games, if you want to record a set of keys, you need to add greater breaks than the 10ms default for the hotkey to work. The additional keys are convenient ones and don't clog up the keyboard. The light key is especially useful.

Just awesome, perfect for both gaming and typing. Specially late night assignment writing.

This is a really great keyboard have had it for a few months now and have had no problems with it. I think the best feature about it would be the programmable Macros on the side. Yes I will admit the “backlit” part of it is nice and all but in the end I don't use it very much.

Great for gaming and all around use. The keyboard is a nice size and the keys aren't to close together, so it's easy to type. The wrist rest is a bit small but it is still very comfortable.

Really good keyboard well worth the $50 dollars I paid for it. Would most defiantly recommend. 5/5

This keyboard is very nice typing feels very natural and when it comes to gaming the back lighting and anti-ghosting are a must. Highly recommended for the serious gamer or weekend warrior.

This keyboard is built to Microsoft's typical high standard of excellence, I also have a Logitech G15 but I prefer this keyboard for both typing and gaming.

The keys are very quiet to type with which is my favorite aspect, the software is minimalist but works well and is easy to use.

Many reviews I read before buying this keyboard said that the play/pause button only opened and worked with Windows Media Player but I found it works fine with iTunes.

I highly recommend the Microsoft X4 specially at this price 9/10

Does everything you need it to do without ghosting and all in a nice black and red backlight LED finish. Six programmable macro keys and a dedicated Calculator key make this board extremely convenient.

It comes with an attached palm rest, backlit keys (with adjustable brightness) and a set of 18 customizable functions.

Awesome keyboard, easily worth far more than 50. Nuff said.

Best keyboard out for the price mighty ape is selling at :) 5 star

I like this key board. It is taking a bit of getting used to. I have not found uses for the “S” key yet.

Very good keyboard for the advanced user, especially for gaming purposes. The keys are a bit smaller which takes a few days to adjust to, but they have a nice clunky feel to them – excellent quality product!

This is perfect. Exactly what I wanted, a cheap, backlit keyboard. I find it great for gaming and typing long essays etc. Looks great to.

I bought this keyboard on a half-price Mighty Ape sale and have to say I'm pretty happy with the purchase. I do a lot of PC work at night and wanted a keyboard that was backlit – this is perfect – it has 3 settings for the lighting but even on high it is not overpowering.

I've yet to use it's macro features so can't comment on those.

The keyboard is quite well laid out and the keys seem responsive to my style of 6 finger typing. However I think the keys are smaller than my previous keyboard – I found myself hitting the Caps Lock by mistake – no problem using the accompanying software you can quickly turn keys on or off – still I think this board is a little cramped in the qwerty section.

The keyboard is shiny black gloss which seems to either attract dust pretty fast or just show it more than my other board.

Mighty Ape had a great price for this board though – it meets exactly what I was wanting – the back light is excellent so if you are currently squinting at your keys in a dim room either get better lights or save electricity and get this board.

Brought this for games as my old keyboard couldn’t handle too may simultaneous keystrokes. It’s decent for games but 4 months on and I still find myself mis-typing when used for emails / general use. The macros are handy and the multimedia keys are well laid out but many keyboards have those features. The back-lighting is great and dimmable. End of the day it’s a decent keyboard but be ready for some typos. Perhaps consider something else if you do a lot of typing. For typing I use a cheap MS Wireless 800 and that’s great!

Solid built keyboard. Looks nice, keys feel pretty good and responsive. Nifty macro feature as well.

This is just as good as any other gaming keyboard out there, I was surprised at how useful the back lit keys were when using it at night . If you play any MMORPG the macro keys are great. I've even set one up for use on COD. These macro keys are so versatile that can be used for almost anything

Title says it all really. If you are after a decent keyboard that doesn't cost a fortune, then this is the one for you. It does everything you should ever need it to do, and the keys don't require much pressure.