Hardware news has started rolling from the Leipzig Games Convention! Microsoft has announced a new gaming mouse, the SideWinder. This gaming peripheral is Microsoft’s first gaming mouse built from the ground up.
The first thing that a gamer would wonder when he sees the Sidewinder is – why should I buy it? Well, Microsoft says that it was created to meets gamers’ individual needs, providing custom tuning tools and a design for ultimate handling. It has features such as Windows Vista Games Explorer, Quick Turn, a performance-enhancing macro that lets users check their perimeter from wherever they are in-game, the first-ever LCD on a gaming mouse, and a cable anchor that doubles as an accessories storage box.
Microsoft touts that the SideWinder gaming mouse is nearly 5,000 mice in one! Here are some new features:
Turn on a dime: The new Quick Turn feature — a performance-enhancing macro — is built right into the software and lets users check their perimeter at any angle from wherever they are in the game with the click of a button.
Choose the perfect weight: The SideWinder Mouse has a weight cartridge system and comes with four weights (up to 30 grams) so gamers can customize the weight of the mouse to their preference.
Choose from three sets of feet to match gameplay preference: The SideWinder Mouse ships with three sets of feet, offering varied levels of glide depending on personal preference and the surface used.
Instantly switch between DPI settings: A 2,000-DPI laser engine delivers super-fast response time, and three DPI switches behind the scroll wheel allow gamers to toggle between low-, medium- and high-sensitivity settings — in-game, at any time.
Also, the SideWinder mouse is more than a gaming mouse. Microsoft calls it as a gaming system. Here are the reasons why they call it so:
LCD: With the first LCD on a gaming mouse, gamers can easily keep track of key gaming actions — including their DPI and steps for recording macros — without being distracted from the game.
Cable management system: The unique cable management system offers the feel of a wireless mouse with the connection speed of a wired mouse by holding the extra cable and preventing it from getting caught on other items on the desk. The cable management system doubles as a storage compartment for extra weights and feet.
Quick-Launch: The new Quick-Launch button demonstrates the exceptional way in which Microsoft ties hardware and software together. When the Quick-Launch button is pressed from within Windows Vista, it will bring up the Windows Vista Games Explorer so gamers can instantly see the games available in their PC’s game library.
And if you are wondering about the design of the SideWinder gaming mouse, here are the ergonomic elements:
Two vertical side buttons: This side placement allows gamers to feel exactly which button they’re pressing, thereby reducing the risk of executing the wrong command midgame.
A wide, detented metal scroll wheel: The wheel design helps gamers feel each movement as they scroll, and the wide metal finish adds elegance and control to the mouse.
Balanced weight: Designed for quick, balanced, comfortable precision gaming action and painted black with a crimson-red stripe, the SideWinder Mouse has gamers in mind from top to bottom.
Coming to the most important part, the pricing and availability of Microsoft SideWinder gaming mouse, it costs $79.95 (approx. Rs. 3265) and will be out this year in the month of October. Hmmm… gaming mice from Microsoft, the features seem nice, but we will have to wait for a few more weeks to know how good this gaming mouse is!