Microsoft SideWinder X5 Mouse

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CNET editors' rating: 3.0 stars Good
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Product summary

The good: Improved sculpt; moisture-resistant coating.

The bad The bad: Competing Logitech mouse offers more mouse for the buck; lacks heft.

The bottom line: Microsoft's pared-down SideWinder X5 Mouse is supposed to offer PC gamers a lower-cost version of its award-winning higher-end model. Instead, it comes across as flimsy and overly stripped down. Other mice deliver better control for the same price.

Specifications: Form factor: External; Compatibility: PC; Interface required: USB; See full specs

Price range: $43.26 - $61.83

CNET editors' review

Reviewed by: Rich Brown
Reviewed on: 08/20/2008
Released on: 08/20/2008

Microsoft's new SideWinder X5 Mouse is a stripped-down version of last year's Editors' Choice-winning SideWinder Gaming Mouse. Where the original model was a packed-to-the-gills gaming powerhouse, the X5 feels flimsy and expensive for the $60 Microsoft wants you to spend. We're willing to accept a more basic version of a product for a lower price, but what you get with the X5 doesn't quite scale appropriately, either in its features or in its design. Especially considering that you can get Logitech's still outstanding G5 Laser Mouse for the same price, we can't recommend the SideWinder X5 Mouse.

In outward appearance, the SideWinder X5 looks more-or-less the same as last year's higher-end SideWinder. Two distinct, round thumb-side buttons poke out noticeably, and the three sensitivity-switching buttons run down the middle in-line with the chunky scroll wheel. Microsoft has improved the sculpt in this newer model, it has fewer hard angles than the original. The pinkie-side especially has been refined, and in a good way. A ridge on the right side still cradles your little finger, but even more comfortably than last year's mouse. It also uses a moisture resistant material on the sides that helps keep the mouse dry.

In general, the SideWinder X5 certainly delivers most of the core features PC gamers look for. You can customize the sensitivity setting for the dpi buttons, ranging from 200dpi to 2,000dpi, with 400, 800, 1,000, and 1,600 stops in between. However, unlike Logitech's MX 1100, the software won't let you completely customize every button on the SideWinder X5. The dpi buttons have to control the sensitivity, and there's also no way to tell the "Quick Launch" button to do something other than open Microsoft's less-than-useful Games folder in Windows Vista, or the mouse setting screen in XP.

See more CNET content tagged:: Logitech,; mouse,; weight,; Microsoft Corp.,; games

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