Microsoft Sidewinder X6 Keyboard review

The most obvious design feature of Microsoft's latest gaming keyboard is its numeric keypad, which can be detached and stuck to either side of the main unit using built-in magnets.

Great, we hear you cry, at last a keypad that caters for left-handers! But control your excitement for a second, because the Sidewinder X6 has another trick up its sleeve as well.

The layout of the keyboard is fairly standard, with the angular shape and oversized wrist wrest providing a comfortable and modern feel. The keys have a pleasant crispness about them, and they're backlit with a fiery red glow, so you can use the Sidewinder when the lights are off without straining your eyes or typing gibberish.

So far, so familiar for a gaming keyboard, but the Sidewinder X6's main claim to fame is its ability to store macros - pre-programmed key sequences that you can activate later with a single press. This has the potential to alleviate some of the boringly repetitive tasks that may be involved in certain types of game. For instance, if you invest in the similarly capable Sidewinder X6 mouse as well, you could set your character in a multi-player online game to mine resources while you go to the pub.

The possibilities extend beyond gaming. Another possible (if slightly more risky) use would be to store usernames and passwords, and you could also speed up regular tasks like correcting and resizing photos. Once recorded, your macros can be set in motion by tapping one of the numeric keys, taking advantage of that repositionable keypad. It's a good idea, and we like the way it's simple to use, too: press Record, assign a shortcut, record your macro.

Despite the innovation, and undeniably cool touches like the volume and LED brightness dials, we think the Sidewinder will still mostly appeal to online gamers looking to gain a (some would say unfair) advantage. General users may find the styling a bit much, and macros can often be handled within software.