Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Keyboard

Pros: Just purchased this board to replace my previous Sidewinder which is still going strong after 4 years; I just wore off a lot of the lettering. I love that it's backlit, has a nice long chord and is a decent size. I'm not looking for uber gaming boards, just a decent board for $50. I just can't get myself to spend more than that on a keyboard. Love this board so much, I bought two this time.

Cons: It could give a choice of other back light colors besides just red, but that's not a big deal more or a cosmetic choice.

Other Thoughts: Would highly recommend this board if looking for a nice clean backlit not over the top gaming keyboard!

Pros: * Programmable Function Keys (up to 18 programs)
* Back lighting and adjustable brightness
* Easy to install
* Current software drivers
* Nice palm rest
* Basic media keys

Cons: * Keys are slick! There is no texture at all.
* Non-replaceable keys
* Only Red back lighting
* Almost Mechanical, but not quiet

Other Thoughts: For a budget "Gaming" keyboard, it will do, but make sure that you can live with everything it is not.

I just can't get over how slick (soft, smooth, non-textured, like glass smooth), the keys are.

Pros: -Still works great and it's been 2years.
-I paid $25 for mine as an open box return when they went on sale for around $35-40 a long time ago.

Cons: -none

Other Thoughts: At the price I paid this thing is amazing, I only wished I had bought more.

Pros: Iv'e baught gaming keyboards before like the G15, the eclipse, But none feel and perform as good as this one. The keys i cant even describe.. they type really comfortably, very nice feel. Nice and slick, got your programmable macro keys. LED brightness adjustment key, In-game Macro Record button. For a gaming keyboard this is all you really need.

Cons: Only thing i would say is that it only lights up Red, which is not a big deal to me.

Other Thoughts: I have to say one more time... Types like a dream!

Pros: Sturdy casing, doesn't flex at all under normal usage (and I type furiously heavily.)
Back-lighting is a godsend for late night programming or gaming.
Wrist rest is rough but surprisingly comfy.
Software for macros and other features is installed automatically under windows 8. Just plug in and wait a bit. No CD required.
Keys feel relatively "clicky" considering this keyboard is not mechanical.
Switchable modes for different usage is convenient, including the option to disable the capslock and start keys.
Media keys are big and friendly.
Software is powerful for macro programming, as well as having some ability to record macros on the fly. ( I have yet to use this feature but it exists)
Raised bumps on the "W" key for gaming alignment.

Cons: Back-lighting is only red.
Macro keys are slow to respond the first time you press them after rebooting. (We're talking like 5-6 seconds before they work.) Subsequent presses are fine.
Glossy black body makes for a mess of fingerprints and dust.

Other Thoughts: F-keys and escape are 1/4 the length of other keys and don't line up the same way as they would on an IBM standard keyboard like the Model M.
Backspace key doesn't say "Backspace" it's just an arrow.

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

Cons: 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 uninstalled microsoft's software for profile control. It was lagging the volume keys, plus I don't use profiles.

Media keys will pause any media that is selected / in focus, meaning if I try to pause foobar, youtube gets paused. If I have a desktop icon selected, foobar won't play/pause

Other Thoughts: 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 with it but at the first it was weird. Compared to my last keyboard, it feels like it's been broken in for 10 years

Pros: Quiet keys, backlit with three brightness settings, macro keys, media and volume, all the stuff you need.

Cons: A bit big. I'm sure it's just going to take some getting use to, but I find it hard to keep my fingers on QWER and the shift key at the same time.

Other Thoughts: Backlight makes the keys completely clear, great for gaming in the dark.

Pros: - Calculator button.
- Illuminated
- Works.
- Free shipping.

Cons: - Not rage resistant, damaged easily.
- Needless keys and irremovable hand rest.

Pros: Great keypress response, not incredibly clicky depending on what you're used to. Has a great amount of customization to it and an easy to use program along with it.

Cons: For those that are looking for a more mechanical keyboard, I'd suggest a higher end keyboard.

Other Thoughts: Great for the price

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

Cons: Not as "crisp" as more expensive keyboards

Other Thoughts: 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 it's suppose to. You can also program some the keys to do different things in different programs in addition to the multiple profiles. I didn't see any way to change the speed of the macros but for me I'ts not a big deal.

The adjustable backlighting is nice for when it's super dark and you don't need it to be so bright, but you can also turn it up during the day.

The keys are a tiny bit squishy but they feel a lot better than the generic keyboard I was using.

Would definitely recommend this keyboard for a budget.