Skip to main content

Microsoft SideWinder X8 Mouse Promises Lag-Free Wireless Gaming

Microsoft SideWinder X8 Mouse Promises Lag-Free Wireless Gaming

Microsoft has debuted its new SideWinder X8 wireless gaming mouse, featuring BlueTrack technology that processes up som 13,000 frames per second, up to 75 g’s of acceleration, and moves up up to 120 inches a second—and even though the mouse uses 2.4 GHz wireless technology, Microsoft promises the mouse has virtually zero latency for fast, accurate game play.

“Many gamers have long desired a wireless gaming mouse that doesn’t compromise on performance, and Microsoft delivers with the SideWinder X8 Mouse,” said Microsoft Hardware product marketing manager Bill Jukes, in a statement. “Combining the best tracking performance available with an innovative wireless solution, this mouse will change the way gamers perceive wireless performance.”

The SideWinder X8 features Microsoft’s BlueTrack technology, which it first debuted on the Explorer Mouse and Explorer Mini Mouse last year. Microsoft claims BlueTrack is the world’s mouse a advanced mouse-tracking technology…the downside is that it doesn’t work on glass or mirrored surfaces. The SideWinder X8 should get about 30 hours of active use from a single battery charge, and users can charge the mouse while using it with a play-and-charge cable. The cable snaps to the bottom of the mouse and wraps around a storage box when not in use.

Microsoft says the SideWinder X8 should be available this week at retailers at a suggested price of $99.95.

Editors' Recommendations

Geoff Duncan
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…
The best tablets in 2024: top 11 tablets you can buy now
Disney+ app on the iPad Air 5.

As much as we love having the best smartphones in our pockets, there are times when those small screens don't cut it and we just need a larger display. That's when you turn to a tablet, which is great for being productive on the go and can be a awesome way to unwind and relax too. While the tablet market really took off after the iPad, it has grown to be quite diverse with a huge variety of products — from great budget options to powerhouses for professionals.

We've tried out a lot of tablets here at Digital Trends, from the workhorses for pros to tablets that are made for kids and even seniors -- there's a tablet for every person and every budget. For most people, though, we think Apple's iPad Air is the best overall tablet — especially if you're already invested in the Apple ecosystem. But if you're not an Apple user, that's fine too; there are plenty of other great options that you'll find in this roundup.

Read more
How to delete a file from Google Drive on desktop and mobile
Google Drive in Chrome on a MacBook.

Google Drive is an excellent cloud storage solution that can be accessed from numerous devices. Whether you do most of your Google Drive uploading or downloading from a PC, Chromebook, or mobile device, there’s going to come a time when you’ll need to delete a file (or two). Fortunately, the deletion process couldn’t be more straightforward. We’ve also put together this helpful guide to show you how to trash your Drive content a couple of different ways.

Read more
Windows 11 might nag you about AI requirements soon
Copilot on a laptop on a desk.

After recent reports of new hardware requirements for the upcoming Windows 11 24H2 update, it is evident that Microsoft is gearing up to introduce a bunch of new AI features. A new report now suggests that the company is working on adding new code to the operating system to alert users if they fail to match the minimum requirements to run AI-based applications.

According to Albacore on X (formerly known as Twitter), systems that do not meet the requirements will display a warning message in the form of a watermark. After digging into the latest Windows 11 Insider Build 26200, he came across requirements coded in the operating system for an upcoming AI File Explorer feature. The minimum requirement includes an ARM64 processor, 16GB of memory, 225GB of total storage, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite NPU.

Read more