Microsoft Sidewinder X4

618 reviews

May, 2013

Positive
Usability (13)
Value for money (6)
Build quality (2)
Design (1)

Negative
Reliability (1)

General overview
Price comparison
Product Specifications

alaTest has collected and analyzed 619 reviews from magazines and websites. People are impressed by the design and build quality. The value for money and usability also get good feedback, whereas some have doubts about the reliability. Opinions are divided on the size.

usability, value for money, build quality, design

reliability

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Keyboards the Microsoft Sidewinder X4 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 91/100 = Excellent quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 618 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

(63% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews (25% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews (7% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews (3% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews (2% of reviews)
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Features

Usability
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Value for money
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Size
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Build quality
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Reliability
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More features

Showing 512 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

Showing 1 - 10 of 512 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (110)

Expert review by: Jason Saundalkar (itp.net)

Microsoft Sidewinder X4

Microsoft has a wide range of peripherals with the Sidewinder X4 targeting cash strapped gamers looking for a gaming keyboard

While the X4 isn’t as feature rich as the X6, its anti-ghosting gives it an edge that make it a worthy gaming buy.

Nov, 2010

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EDITOR'S CHOICE SILVER AWARD

Expert review by: Chris Reynolds (hardware-pacers.com)

Microsoft Sidewinder X4

The Microsoft Sidewinder series gaming keyboards are top-of-the-line, highly functional gaming products that are excellent additions to any gamer's computer system. The These gaming keyboards are packed full of assignable keys that...

The Microsoft Sidewinder X4 Gaming Keyboard and Sidewinder is a superb productand have all the elements of what a gaming system would need. From phenomenal performance to full packed features with programmable buttons on the keyboard, hard core gamers...

Jul, 2010

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Expert review by: Bill (maximumcpu.net)

Read Microsoft SideWinder X4 Keyboard

Microsoft's new keyboard product is being marketed with emphasis on a new technology called “anti-ghosting”. “Ghosting“ is the phenomenon when multiple keys are pressed, but not all are accurately recorded and transmitted to the computer because of...

Stylish keyboard ; Plug-and-play functionality including multimedia keys and backlight ; Advanced functionality (macros) ; Hardware Anti-Ghosting technology performs as presented

Less-than-ideal tactile feedback on keys (it is a keyboard, after all)

The SideWinder X4 is probably the most efficient “anti-ghosting” keyboard available, and it’s a fine keyboard outside of that context. In principle, every keyboard should be “anti-ghosting”, but the truth is that it's not really needed in a majority of...

May, 2010

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Expert review by: Chad (techarkade.com)

Microsoft Sidewinder X4 Keyboard

After the apparent success of the Sidewinder X6 gaming keyboard, Microsoft decided to produce a "value" version. The Sidewinder X4 reduces some of the features of the X6 to reduce the price while gaining a more advanced anti-ghosting system. Will the...

Overkill status new anti-ghosting technology ; Responsive but comfortable key feel

Looks basic compared to its older brother, the X6 ; Overpriced when comparing features ; Significant drop in macros / cruise control

Mar, 2010

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Expert review by: Kristofer Brozio (dragonsteelmods.com)

Microsoft SideWinder X4 Keyboard Review

Unlikeother Microsoft gaming products this keyword is entirely designed bythe folks at Redmond. The Microsoft Sidewinder X4 looks like a basickeyboard with the addition of media and macro keys. The Sidewinder X4is missing some knobs and buttons found...

ProgrammableMacros ; Backlit keyboard ; Wellconstructed

Fingerprintmagnet ; Softwareis limited in programming media keys ; Standardkeyboard with some macro/media buttons

For theSidewinder X4 Microsoft seems to have taken the basic keyboard designand added some macros and multimedia keys; otherwise what you see iswhat you get. The Sidewinder X4 is Microsoft's low-cost, low-endversion of a gaming keyboard that falls...

Mar, 2010

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Silver Award

Expert review by: Lersar (lanoc.org)

Microsoft Sidewinder X4

Microsoft's Sidewinder line, specialized gaming peripherals for the PC, is starting to see quite a few pieces in it's roster. You may recall the Sidewinder X6, their first keyboard made entirely themselves, with several great features that appeal to...

Mar, 2010

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Expert review by: (toptenreviews.com)

Microsoft SideWinder X4

As with most electronics, and it's no different with gaming keyboards, the leading products are fairly similar. The Microsoft SideWinder X4 is a well built, responsive and convenient keyboard. It's been tried and tested by many gamers and is preferred...

The SideWinder X4 is an optimized and less expensive gaming keyboard option

This keyboard doesn't have the Microsoft unique detachable number pad or Cruise Control

The X4 is good choice for any gamer who wants the important stuff and not so many extras.

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Consumer review by: (amazon.com)

Amazon review summary for the Microsoft Sidewinder X4

alaTest has collected and analyzed 41 user reviews of the Microsoft Sidewinder X4 from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.0/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.0/5 for other products on Amazon.com.

design, build quality, value for money

80% of reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

May, 2013

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Consumer review by: N/A (newegg.com)

Pretty good

Despite my cons I still like this keyboard I had a key getting stuck and scraping another key. I popped it off, removed excess plastic mold stuff around it, and now it works good. This keyboard feels really dead. Barely any tactile action. I game fine...

Backlighting is good, main reason I bought a new keyboard ; Media keys ; Calculator button I use sometimes

The Esc / F button row is slim. I use the esc key a lot so I miss it sometimes ; The extra buttons on the left push the main keys to right of the edge of the keyboard, so I had to get used to that. Pinky was missing the ctrl key copying pasting etc ; I...

May, 2013

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Consumer review by: Adam (newegg.com)

Great for a budget

I really like this keyboard for the price. It's very comfortable and quiet and the palm rest is not obtrusive at all. It has a bunch of features which all work well. My media keys worked great with windows media player and the calculator key works like...

Comfortable ; Quiet ; Media keys ; Macro keys ; Calculator key ; Can program some keys differently for different programs ; Multiple profiles ; Adjustable back-lighting ; Price

Not as "crisp" as more expensive keyboards

May, 2013

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