On Tuesday, Microsoft announced the X3 mouse as a new addition to its SideWinder gaming products, featuring 2,000-dpi laser-tracking engine, five programmable buttons, and macro recording.

The SideWinder X3 mouse has eight buttons; five of the buttons is programmable to gamers’ preferences, the main button life rated to 10 million clicks. With its 2,000 dots-per-inch (dpi) engine, it can easily switch between high, medium and low sensitivity with one easy click, three buttons instantly switch between 400, 800, and 2000 DPI - or users can customize settings. In addition, Macros is included, a software letting you create and assign macros for enhanced programmability.

“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,” said Bill Jukes, product marketing manager for Microsoft Hardware.

The USB Corded Mouse, with full-speed of 500 Hz at a maximum speed of 45 inches per second and up to 20 Gs of acceleration, will be available in May for an estimated retail price of $39.95.Table 1

Microsoft