ActiveWin -- Microsoft SideWinder Strategic Commander

Well we have reached the end of the review. Here are my final comments, notes and grades for the SideWinder Strategic Commander.

The Microsoft vision of the gaming world has never been so clear and this new device is a supplementary proof that the Redmond based company still has tons of ideas that answer our needs. Even if the device targets a very specific market, every strategy game addict should buy it to change the way he plays. The well-studied shape, the moving feature, the incredible number of buttons and the high quality software really make it worth the buy. I really love this device and I’m sure it will mark the gaming industry. Note that with so many great hardware devices, Microsoft will compel the gamer to have a Strategic Commander in the left hand, an IntelliMouse in the right one, a GameVoice pad in the mouth and a keyboard controlled by your feet ;-)

Specs & Package
Overall Score	90%
Version Reviewed	Microsoft SideWinder Strategic Commander
Release Date	Already in stores!
In The Box?	1 User's guide, 1 Drivers CD, 1 Strategic Commander device
The Good Points	Excellent drivers Great enhancement for strategy games Good ergonomy
The Bad Points	Base is too light
Reviewers PC Setup	Pentium III 1 Ghz B Intel VC820 Motherboard Windows Millennium Edition 256 MB PC800 RDRAM w/ECC DirectX 8.0 Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 SP1 17" Sony Trinitron Monitor Hercules 3D Prophet II Ultra 64Mb AGP 4x graphic card Sound Blaster Live! Platinum Adaptec 19160 Ultra SCSI card Promise Ultra ATA 100 controller Pinnacle Studio DV Plus Pinnacle Studio PCTV USB Microsoft TrackBall Explorer Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro DVD Pioneer 105s (16/40x) Yamaha 16/10/40 IDE internal burner
PC Required	Minimum System Windows 95/98/Me Pentium 166Mhz or greater 16Mb RAM 25Mb of available hard disk space Quad-speed CD-Rom Drive DirectX 7.0a or later SVGA 256 colors Sound Card (optional) Microsoft Mouse, IntelliMouse or compatible device