SideWinder X8 Mouse Hands-On

Microsoft has today announced its newest SideWinder PC gaming peripheral, the SideWinder X8 Mouse. The SideWinder X8 looks similar to the other SideWinder mice, but it comes with several new features including 2.4GHz wireless connectivity and Microsoft&#39;s new BlueTrack technology that allows the mouse to work on more surfaces than regular optical and laser mice. The mouse itself shares the same shape as the previous SideWinder mice, but it has a few external changes. The scroll wheel can now register left and right tilts and the side buttons have changed from round nubbins to indented panels for better thumb placement. The macro-record and Windows Games Explorer quick launch button round out the rest of the mouse&#39;s clickable options. The SideWinder X8 also includes two sets of removable feet (three if you count the set that comes on the mouse), and the storage case for the feet doubles as an anchor for the mouse powercord. The X8 doesn&#39;t have a removable weight set, but there&#39;s no lack of heft due to the battery and wireless technology. The mouse can provide 30 hours of gaming on a single charge, and it also comes with a power cord that you can use to charge the mouse while playing. The cord stays in place with a neat little magnetic socket. The BlueTrack optical system can process 13,000 frames per second and you can quickly click to cycle the DPI from 250 all the way up to 4000. The original SideWinder has a 2000 DPI maximum resolution in comparison. Microsoft&#39;s Bill Jukes tells us that the X8&#39;s new tracking system will work on just about every surface except for glass. The bad news is that the SideWinder X8 will carry the $99 price tag because it&#39;s Microsoft&#39;s new flagship gaming mouse, and, hey, it has wireless and BlueTrack. We&#39;ll also have to wait a while before we get one.The X8 won&#39;t be available until February 2009. Yeah, that&#39;s almost 6 months from now.

SideWinder X8 Mouse Hands-On

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