Software giant Microsoft also makes hardware and it is one of the biggest in mice and keyboards, its gaming oriented brand SideWinder being one of the better known. Microsoft has launched numerous products to go in the SideWinder family over the years and with a couple of them arriving this year, but now it’s time for another one. SideWinder X3 is a more of a budget mouse but despite the more average design the X3 model sports some interesting functions, a resolution of 2000 dpi and eight buttons. This is also the first mouse of the SideWinder series that is ambidextrous.
More on Microsoft SideWinder X3 in the press release;
New Microsoft SideWinder X3 Mouse Fits Your Hand and Your Wallet
First ambidextrous SideWinder mouse offers gaming performance for either hand.
REDMOND, Wash. April 14, 2009 Microsoft Corp. today announced a new addition to the award-winning family of SideWinder gaming products, the SideWinder X3 Mouse, which combines gaming performance and versatile design at a value price of $39.95 .1 This ambidextrous, eight-button gaming mouse delivers comfort for either hand along with the performance features fans of SideWinder products know and love, including a 2,000 dots-per-inch (dpi) laser-tracking engine with on-the-fly dpi switching between high, medium and low sensitivity. The SideWinder X3 Mouse is easy on the wallet, but it does not skimp on performance, offering gamers a full set of features and launching them ahead of the competition.
“Our research shows that in-game comfort continues to be the main consideration for PC gamers,” said Bill Jukes, product marketing manager for Microsoft Hardware. “We designed this mouse to be ambidextrous and small in size, providing comfort to a wider variety of people and making it ideal for gaming as well as everyday use.”
Performance Gaming, Perfect Price
Like its siblings the SideWinder X5 Mouse and the original SideWinder Mouse, the SideWinder X3 Mouse has five programmable main buttons that are customizable to gamers’ preferences and tested for extreme gaming, with the main button life rated to 10 million clicks. Additional features include these:
| • | IntelliPoint software to create and assign macros |
| • | Wide, detented scroll wheel for more precise click movement |
| • | Low-profile lateral side buttons for easy access during gaming and everyday computing |
| • | Wide-glide feet for smooth handling and a light, balanced feel |
Pricing and Availability
The SideWinder X3 Mouse will be widely available in May for an estimated retail price of $39.95 (U.S.). The mouse is available now for pre-sale on Amazon.com and will ship in May when it is released. More information about this and other Microsoft Hardware products can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/hardware.
About Microsoft Hardware
For more than 25 years, the Hardware Group has employed innovative engineering, cutting-edge industrial design and extensive usability testing to create products of exceptional quality and durability that enhance the software experience and strengthen the connection between consumers and their PC. Microsoft Hardware leads the industry in ergonomic engineering, industrial design and hardware/software compatibility, offering consumers an easier, more convenient and more enjoyable computing experience. In 2008, the Hardware Group debuted the world’s most advanced tracking technology — BlueTrack Technology — allowing consumers to track on more surfaces than optical and laser mice. More information about the Hardware Group is available at http://www.mshardwareguide.com.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
1 Actual retail prices may vary.
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