Logitech’s MX Keys keyboard is a strong providing, aimed primarily at creators because it helps you to join a number of gadgets to the identical keyboard and even copy recordsdata throughout them. The newly launched MX Keys Mini brings all of these options in a compact kind issue in order that it is sufficiently small to slot in a backpack. Logitech’s MX Keys Mini additionally will get some new options that the older MX Keys does not have, making it extra interesting to youthful audiences. Whereas it’s a distinctive gadget, it is likely to be a bit overpriced for some, andit’s not excellent, as I found after utilizing it for a number of weeks.
Logitech MX Keys Mini worth in India and contents
I obtained two models of the Logitech MX Keys Mini for assessment. The Rose end is a light-weight shade of pink and for my part, seems to be much less flashy than the picture on Logitech’s web site, which is an effective factor. The Graphite model seems to be identical to the common MX Keys keyboard, with a gray physique and black keys. This Bluetooth keyboard can be accessible in Pale Grey (which has a silver physique with white keys). The field contains the keyboard, a USB Kind-A to Kind-C cable for charging, and consumer documentation. At a sticker worth of Rs. 12,995, I might have preferred Logitech to have supplied a sturdy, arduous carrying case with it.
Logitech MX Keys Mini design
The Logitech MX Keys Mini keyboard seems to be just like the older MX Keys keyboard, aside from its smaller dimension and decrease weight of 504g. It is strong sufficient to remain in place whereas typing. Logitech additionally claims that elements of the MX Keys Mini are made utilizing environmentally pleasant materials akin to post-consumer recycled plastic, which isn’t the case with the common MX Keys.
There are proximity sensors within the keyboard so the keys gentle up when your fingers method them
The keycaps on the MX Keys Mini are concave, identical to the common MX Keys, which makes them snug to sort on. The melancholy in every keycap makes the bigger keys simpler to establish. There are proximity sensors so the keys gentle up when your fingers method them, which is a pleasant contact and helps extend battery life.
Key labels ought to ideally be legible in all sorts of lighting situations, however the backlight interfered with this, in my expertise. When utilizing the MX Keys Mini with greater than 100 lux of lighting, akin to outside within the daytime, the backlight brightness is meant to regulate itself. Nonetheless, it solely turned off a number of instances throughout your entire assessment interval in such situations. Whereas it is clear that the system works, it simply doesn’t react rapidly sufficient or in a well timed method, which signifies that the backlight stays on more often than not that your fingers are on the keyboard. Fortunately, there are guide controls, and I might alter the brightness manually, with seven steps accessible.
It is arduous to learn the characters on the Rose model’s keys within the daytime when the backlight is switched on
I work in the course of the day and have a window close to my desk, so, a good quantity of ambient gentle hits my work desk. This turned out to be an issue for the keyboard’s sensors, and the backlight by no means turned off. It was not a difficulty with the Graphite model (which has black keys) however the greyish labels had been arduous to learn on the pink keycaps attributable to low distinction. What made issues worse was that the keyboard didn’t bear in mind my earlier brightness setting; it defaulted to medium each time I switched it on. Utilizing the Rose model of the MX Keys Mini turned annoying, as I needed to undergo a ritual of manually turning down the brightness each time I switched it on, simply to have the ability to see the letters on the keycaps in the course of the day.
Logitech MX Keys Mini efficiency
The scissor switches that the Logitech MX Keys Mini use are the identical as on the bigger MX Keys Bluetooth keyboard. The keys have good journey and produce a satisfying clicking sound when pressed, which is not too loud or distracting whereas typing. Little or no drive is required to register key presses, irrespective of which a part of the important thing you hit. The highest of the keyboard’s body is made from steel, whereas the underside is plastic. There is not any flex if you press down on the keys.
The keyboard’s backlighting depth doesn’t change as meant
The compact kind issue signifies that navigation keys, (Web page Up, Web page Down), enhancing keys, and a numeric keypad are lacking. Nonetheless, there are three new perform keys, which got here in useful. The Dictation key permits ‘talk-to-text’ in any chosen textual content discipline. Having paired this keyboard with a MacBook Professional, issues appeared to work seamlessly after setting the mandatory permissions, and this was helpful once I felt too lazy to sort. The Emoji key provided a fast technique to choose emoji utilizing the directional keys.
The third new secret’s a Mute key, which mutes and unmutes your system’s mic. The Screenshot secret’s a useful one-button answer, particularly on Mac, as capturing a screenshot sometimes wants a three-button mixture. The keyboard helps you to change between three gadgets by urgent the F1, F2 or F3 keys. The Simple Swap function labored seamlessly between my MacBook Professional, a Home windows laptop computer, and an iPhone. Longtime Logitech customers shall be conversant in Circulation and this function additionally makes it to the MX Keys Mini. It mainly helps you to copy and paste recordsdata between gadgets (Home windows and macOS), supplied you might have the Logi Choices app put in on every of them.
The brand new emoji, dictation and mic mute keys labored as meant and are fairly helpful
Since I personal a Logitech MX Grasp 3 mouse, I already had the Logi Choices app put in on my system. Setup was fast and straightforward utilizing the Bluetooth pairing course of by way of the Settings app on macOS. Certainly, there are numerous customisation choices accessible. You’ll be able to assign an app to the F4-F12, Ins, and Del keys so it may be launched with a single press. Nonetheless, you do lose the preassigned performance of that individual key.
You can even bind totally different apps to open if you’re already working a selected program. For example, you possibly can program the F4 key in such a method that it opens the calculator app when you’re utilizing Microsoft Excel and Twitter if you’re in Safari. Key mixtures or macros can’t be assigned although, which might have been preferrred for creators. There’s additionally a battery standing indicator within the app’s most important menu however I might have most well-liked to know the precise proportion remaining as a substitute of simply having three notches to point out the tough stage.
The again of the keyboard is made from plastic
The Logitech MX Keys Mini could be charged by way of the USB Kind-C port, however it takes a very long time to cost when it is utterly drained. It took me about three hours to cost the keyboard utilizing a 30W smartphone charger. Fortunately, the keyboard is purposeful when it is charging. As for battery life, this primarily depends upon how a lot you employ the backlight. I managed over ten days on a single cost with the backlight on (8–10 hrs of use per day), and Logitech claims that the MX Keys Mini can last as long as 5 months on one cost with the backlight switched off.
Verdict
The Logitech MX Keys Mini is a singular piece of package. It’s costly, provided that there are quite a few Bluetooth keyboard choices accessible on-line, from Logitech and different established manufacturers. The three new keys on the MX Keys Mini are helpful however they are not mandatory.
The keyboard’s device-switching function works nicely when you continuously want to make use of a number of gadgets aspect by aspect. The Circulation function makes numerous sense for creators who usually discover themselves juggling between a number of techniques on totally different platforms. Merely urgent Command + C to repeat and Management + V to stick between macOS and Home windows machines could be life-changing.
For many customers, the MX Keys Mini will appear overpriced. There are sufficient choices from Logitech that provide the essential performance of a Bluetooth keyboard with the Simple Swap functionality at a lot decrease costs. The MX Keys Mini is principally for individuals who want a compact journey keyboard that can be utilized throughout OS platforms, and those that would love a excessive stage of customisation.
Execs:
- Stable construct high quality
- Good battery life
- Simple Swap helps you to hook up with a number of techniques
- Circulation helps you to copy and paste recordsdata throughout techniques
- New Emoji, Dictation, and Mic keys are helpful
Cons:
- Backlight depth doesn’t change as meant
Scores (Out of 5)
Efficiency: 4
Worth for Cash: 4
General: 4