Microsoft Sidewinder X4 Gaming Keyboard Review

### Article: Review of the Microsoft X4 Gaming Keyboard

Aaron from Zolote recently reviewed the Microsoft X4 gaming keyboard in his video. Having used it for about 10 hours, including both work and gaming, Aaron shares his detailed experience with the keyboard. Here’s a full breakdown of what he shared:

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#### **Introduction to the Microsoft X4 Gaming Keyboard**

Aaron introduces the Microsoft X4 gaming keyboard, highlighting that while it is a standard keyboard at its core, it comes with some exciting added features. He mentions that he has tested it both as a regular typing keyboard and for gaming purposes, giving him a well-rounded perspective on its performance.

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#### **Build Quality**

Aaron starts by talking about the build quality of the keyboard, which he describes as "pretty good." The keyboard feels standard in terms of construction, with flip-out feet that he showed during the unboxing video. While it is relatively flat and has a small wrist rest curve, Aaron notes that there’s no ergonomic curve to the keyboard.

One thing he points out is that the plastic used for the keyboard feels slightly different due to its glossy finish, which makes it feel a bit slippery. However, he clarifies that this isn’t necessarily a bad thing—it’s just a matter of personal preference depending on the type of plastic or finish.

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#### **Lighting and Quiet Typing**

The keyboard features red backlighting, which Aaron finds to be bright enough for use in low-light conditions. He also mentions that the brightness can be adjusted using a button located near the top of the keyboard.

When it comes to typing, Aaron describes it as "fairly quiet," even though he considers himself a fairly loud typer. Compared to other Microsoft keyboards he’s used, this one is noticeably quieter.

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#### **Key Features**

Aaron highlights several key features that make the X4 gaming keyboard stand out:

1. **Macro Keys and Profiles:**

The keyboard includes dedicated macro keys that allow users to record and save macros. Aaron demonstrates how you can record a macro by inputting a sequence of keystrokes on-the-fly, which is then saved as a profile. He mentions that the X4 allows for up to 18 different macro profiles, which can be adjusted using the software provided by Microsoft.

Additionally, the keyboard has self-sensing capabilities, meaning it automatically switches between pre-set profiles depending on the program being used. For example, if you’re playing *Battlefield 2* and then switch to *Modern Warfare 2*, the keyboard will adjust its macro settings accordingly.

2. **Anti-Ghosting:**

Another standout feature is the anti-ghosting technology, which allows users to press up to 26 keys simultaneously without any of them registering as the same key. This is particularly useful for gamers who need precise control during fast-paced gameplay.

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#### **Design and Layout**

Aaron discusses the physical design of the keyboard further, noting that it has a standard layout with volume controls, media playback buttons, and other essential functions. The keyboard also features textured keys on the "W" key, similar to the "F" and "J" keys found on traditional keyboards. This texture helps users locate their fingers without looking down at the keys.

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#### **Comfort and Personal Complaints**

While overall impressed with the keyboard, Aaron does mention a few minor complaints. He notes that his larger-than-average hands sometimes caused him to hit wrong keys due to what he perceives as slightly smaller keycaps compared to other Microsoft keyboards. However, he attributes this issue partly to the lack of an ergonomic curve on the keyboard itself.

On his Mac computer with wider chicklet keys, he didn’t experience the same problem, which suggests that this might not be a universal issue but rather one specific to the design of the X4. He advises users with larger hands to test it out first before committing to purchase.

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#### **Price and Value**

Aaron concludes his review by emphasizing the value for money that the Microsoft X4 gaming keyboard offers. Priced at around $60, he believes it’s a solid investment for anyone looking for a versatile keyboard that can handle both typing and gaming tasks with ease.

He particularly highlights the macro features as a standout selling point, making this keyboard especially appealing to gamers who want customizable controls.

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#### **Conclusion**

Aaron wraps up his review by encouraging viewers to check out the Microsoft X4 gaming keyboard if they’re in the market for a feature-rich, affordable option that works well for both work and play. He also teases an upcoming giveaway of the keyboard on his channel, urging viewers to tune back in for more updates.

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This article provides a detailed overview of Aaron’s experience with the Microsoft X4 gaming keyboard, covering its build quality, features, design, comfort, and overall value. If you’re considering purchasing this keyboard, his insights will help you decide whether it’s the right fit for your needs.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enhi this is Aaron with zolote today we're going to take a look at the Microsoft X4 gaming keyboard now I've used this for about 10 hours uh used it at work as a regular typing keyboard and uh played around with it some too uh so overall what it is is your normal keyboard but they've added some really cool options so first of all let's just look at the build quality overall it's pretty good uh the B is pretty standard you've got your flip out feet and I showed that in the unboxing other than that pretty flat and you have this little curve for a wrist rest but no ergonomic uh curve to this keyboard uh the build quality overall is just like any other Microsoft keyboard although the plastic does feel a little bit um a little bit different maybe maybe because it's more of a glossy finish uh feels a little bit um slippery I don't know but that's that's kind of uh overall that's it's not a bad thing it's just the type of plastic or the finish on the plastic I think uh the back light is red and it's pretty good people asked if I could type on it to hear how loud um so that's CNN.com I'm not going to type a whole lot but so overall fairly quiet um I'm a fairly loud typer but it's it's quieter something than some other Microsoft keyboards I've used uh like I said it's back lit uh you can adjust brightness with this button up here uh you've got I think three modes and um overall your stand it's a standard keyboard but they've added a couple of things so for like I said build is good standard USB as you can see up here um they've added some macro Keys a record button for macros um and which is this button right here you can record a macro of key sets as you input them and save it you can have up to 18 different profiles of macros uh adjusted by the software you hit this button to to switch between the three and it also has self sensing when it goes into uh different programs you can set it up so say you're playing Battlefield 2 an older game then you want to switch to Modern Warfare 2 it will remember those profiles that you've assigned with the macro keys to do different things the other big thing on this keyboard is the anti- ghosting which that what that means is it allows you to hit up to 26 keys at the same time without them um uh acting like they're the same key so you hit the snd D at the same time it's going to know which one you hit first and you're going to go back and turn right you're going to go back first and turn right depending on how you have this set up one of the uh nice little touches is you normally use these for firsters shooters or to move around W has a little bit uh has two little Nubs on it so you know where your fingers are at all times which is really nice you normally F and J have that which they do for typing uh but the W has that for gaming as well as well uh other than that it's a pretty standard keyboard but it remembers a lot of really neat things uh but overall for about $60 you can have the keyboard really nice um again here's your profile settings I didn't I don't know if I pointed that out but that's that will show you your different profile settings and which one you're on um but and your macro Keys other than that it's a standard layout keyboard with your volume controls and play for media and that sort of thing pretty nice uh couple complaints myself I have fairly large fingers but I use a normal Microsoft um ergonomic keyboard at work and these uh the top of the keys felt a little small to me I kept hitting different Keys now that might be because of the lack of the curve but on my Mac computer I don't have the same problem because the keys are a little bit wider on the chicklet keys so if you have uh normal sized hands you're not going to have that issue but with this particular keyboard if you have larger hands you're going to want to try it out first uh but overall I think it's it's a very good keyboard definitely worth checking out um the features for especially if you want to use macros really look into this because it's got you know like I said 18 different macros you can set up um overall really good and uh check it out it's the X4 gaming keyboard and uh be sure to check back because uh we're going to give this away so this is Aaron with zolote we'll see you next timehi this is Aaron with zolote today we're going to take a look at the Microsoft X4 gaming keyboard now I've used this for about 10 hours uh used it at work as a regular typing keyboard and uh played around with it some too uh so overall what it is is your normal keyboard but they've added some really cool options so first of all let's just look at the build quality overall it's pretty good uh the B is pretty standard you've got your flip out feet and I showed that in the unboxing other than that pretty flat and you have this little curve for a wrist rest but no ergonomic uh curve to this keyboard uh the build quality overall is just like any other Microsoft keyboard although the plastic does feel a little bit um a little bit different maybe maybe because it's more of a glossy finish uh feels a little bit um slippery I don't know but that's that's kind of uh overall that's it's not a bad thing it's just the type of plastic or the finish on the plastic I think uh the back light is red and it's pretty good people asked if I could type on it to hear how loud um so that's CNN.com I'm not going to type a whole lot but so overall fairly quiet um I'm a fairly loud typer but it's it's quieter something than some other Microsoft keyboards I've used uh like I said it's back lit uh you can adjust brightness with this button up here uh you've got I think three modes and um overall your stand it's a standard keyboard but they've added a couple of things so for like I said build is good standard USB as you can see up here um they've added some macro Keys a record button for macros um and which is this button right here you can record a macro of key sets as you input them and save it you can have up to 18 different profiles of macros uh adjusted by the software you hit this button to to switch between the three and it also has self sensing when it goes into uh different programs you can set it up so say you're playing Battlefield 2 an older game then you want to switch to Modern Warfare 2 it will remember those profiles that you've assigned with the macro keys to do different things the other big thing on this keyboard is the anti- ghosting which that what that means is it allows you to hit up to 26 keys at the same time without them um uh acting like they're the same key so you hit the snd D at the same time it's going to know which one you hit first and you're going to go back and turn right you're going to go back first and turn right depending on how you have this set up one of the uh nice little touches is you normally use these for firsters shooters or to move around W has a little bit uh has two little Nubs on it so you know where your fingers are at all times which is really nice you normally F and J have that which they do for typing uh but the W has that for gaming as well as well uh other than that it's a pretty standard keyboard but it remembers a lot of really neat things uh but overall for about $60 you can have the keyboard really nice um again here's your profile settings I didn't I don't know if I pointed that out but that's that will show you your different profile settings and which one you're on um but and your macro Keys other than that it's a standard layout keyboard with your volume controls and play for media and that sort of thing pretty nice uh couple complaints myself I have fairly large fingers but I use a normal Microsoft um ergonomic keyboard at work and these uh the top of the keys felt a little small to me I kept hitting different Keys now that might be because of the lack of the curve but on my Mac computer I don't have the same problem because the keys are a little bit wider on the chicklet keys so if you have uh normal sized hands you're not going to have that issue but with this particular keyboard if you have larger hands you're going to want to try it out first uh but overall I think it's it's a very good keyboard definitely worth checking out um the features for especially if you want to use macros really look into this because it's got you know like I said 18 different macros you can set up um overall really good and uh check it out it's the X4 gaming keyboard and uh be sure to check back because uh we're going to give this away so this is Aaron with zolote we'll see you next time\n"