Ghost Buster: Microsoft’s SideWinder X4 Keyboard

Microsoft this week unveiled a new gaming keyboard with "anti-ghosting" capabilities:

What gamers request most is better control in-game, and today Microsoft Hardware launches the SideWinder X4 Keyboard, a keyboard designed to give gamers more control over their gaming experience with the industry’s most advanced anti-ghosting technology. Developed by the Applied Sciences Group, this new technology ensures gamers' most complex key combinations will be recognized by the computer to keep the game in action. The new keyboard also offers other advanced gaming features such as macro recording, mode and profile switching, and adjustable backlighting.

The Applied Sciences Group developed the anti-ghosting technology with gamers in mind. The advanced technology takes anti-ghosting to the next level by allowing gamers to press up to 26 keys at once. Because each key is scanned independently by the keyboard hardware, each key press is correctly detected regardless of how many other keys are being pressed at the same time. The SideWinder X4 Keyboard excels where other keyboards fail, letting users execute key combinations and taking full advantage of their skill and speed.

Precise Gaming Keyboard With Advanced Features

The SideWinder X4 Keyboard also offers more of the features gamers need to stay at the top of their game. Macro recording lets them string together multiple moves into one press of a button, and the new automatic macro repetition feature lets them repeat the macro over and over as needed with one key. Mode and profile switching also provides easy ways to customize the keyboard for different games and users while adjustable backlighting lets gamers select the lighting level that meets their needs.

Pricing and Availability

The SideWinder X4 Keyboard will be available in March 2010 for the estimated retail price of $59.95 and will be available for pre-sale on Amazon.com later this week. The SideWinder X4 Keyboard is backed by a worldwide three-year limited hardware warranty, and more information about this and other Microsoft Hardware products can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/hardware.

Discuss this Article 7

Keleko
on Feb 2, 2010
I would like to see the person that can press 26 keys at once. Leaning or sitting on the keyboard doesn't count, either.
tayme
on Feb 2, 2010
Keleko - That is exactly what I was going to say. I am not much of a PC gamer and never have been. Recording that Macro for the 26 keys could be a challenge, though! --tayme
redunion1940
on Feb 2, 2010
Nice a pc gaming keyboard, might get it. As for the 26 keys there should be no way to cause ghosting now.
gumby74
on Feb 2, 2010
macro recording... huh that takes me back to the 'dumb terminal' mainframe days.
rr0de74@live.com
on Feb 2, 2010
Yeah I know NO ONE that would buy this. Who sits around at MS and thinks this is worth the time and effort. I guess there are a lot of WOW players.
redunion1940
on Feb 2, 2010
over 11 million and then there are also a lot of PC gamers evident by Steams report that sales increased.
subzerohitman721
on Feb 2, 2010
My friends are the ones who do a lot of PC gaming. If it's a hot title, I'll jump into the fray. The vast majority of my gaming is on the console. Always has been. However, there's money to be made no matter how small or large the market is. Microsoft is a part of that culture. You have to give them credit. Microsoft does make pretty darn good keyboards and mouse.

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