Modern equivalent of Sidewinder X4?

Tiny Clanger

Tiny Clanger

Tiny Clanger

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Hi - I'm looking for a second keyboard for my home office which would be as close as possible to my current Microsoft Sidewinder X4 which hasn't been available in years. Would something like a Corsair K55 PRO be as near as I could get - or are there other alternatives to consider?
 
I actually used a Sidewinder X6 for a number of years which is fairly similar.

Is there a specific feature on the X4 which appeals to you, or is it just general familiarity?
 
Gray2233 said:
I actually used a Sidewinder X6 for a number of years which is fairly similar.

Is there a specific feature on the X4 which appeals to you, or is it just general familiarity?
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Just general familiarity I think. The programmable macro keys on the left-hand side are handy - but mainly it's just the ease of typing on it and the fact that the key's don't need to 'travel' that far. I've tried my wife's mechanical keyboard (which she swears by for typing) but it's a completely different experience and my typing speed drops when I use it...
 
Tiny Clanger said:
Just general familiarity I think. The programmable macro keys on the left-hand side are handy - but mainly it's just the ease of typing on it and the fact that the key's don't need to 'travel' that far. I've tried my wife's mechanical keyboard (which she swears by for typing) but it's a completely different experience and my typing speed drops when I use it...
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Do you know which switch type her board has? It can make a big difference with mechanicals, I personally favour browns and struggle with some of the others.
 
No idea I’m afraid - it’s an old one she’s had for years for work. I’ll be honest in saying that I’ve only just found out (having googled “brown keys”) that there are different characteristics in the key colours.

I assume that a linear type (red?) would be the most like my Sidewinder X4 - would that be about right?
 
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Tiny Clanger said:
No idea I’m afraid - it’s an old one she’s had for years for work. I’ll be honest in saying that I’ve only just found out (having googled “brown keys”) that there are different characteristics in the key colours.

I assume that a linear type (red?) would be the most like my Sidewinder X4 - would that be about right?
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It might not feel similar, I don't personally get on with reds due to the sensitivity and I find that rubber dome boards (such as the X4) have a tiny amount of pushback on press.

This is a pretty good explanation: https://www.rtings.com/keyboard/learn/mechanical-switches#:~:text=Broadly speaking, there are three,tactile, and Blue being clicky.

If I was to take a guess I'd say you want a tactile switch like a brown, but maybe with a little more force required. Either that or just a more standard brown, your wife might well be on a blue (clicky) which would have a very defined feel.

What I would recommend is visiting a local big chain general electronics shop that might have demo boards set up. Even if they don't have the exact board you want, you should be able to test a switch type or two out at the worst.
 
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If I remember right the Sidewinder X4 has smaller key spacing than standard. That might explain some of the different experience with mechanical keyboards.
 
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