Logitech Illuminated Keyboard User Review

by David Li

Although appearance is subjective, Logitech's Illuminated Keyboard is without a doubt, one of the sleekest keyboards commercially available I have seen to date. With an ultra-thin design, coupled with clean minimalist aesthetics, there's no reason why this keyboard can't visually attract any modern-day computer user. Using laser-etched backlit keys and Logitech's very own "PerfectStroke" key system, this keyboard provides an excellent balance between a glistening complexion and admirable comfort.

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Package Contents

• Logitech Illuminated Keyboard
• CD with software
• Quick-start guide
• Comfort guidelines
• Three-year limited hardware warranty

MSPR: $79.99 from Logitech.com

Build and Design

Aimed for users seeking a backlit typing experience, this keyboard also shares similar features and form with its Logitech diNovo notebook keyboard sibling. According to Logitech, the PerfectStoke key system offers "a typing experience that's comfortable, fluid and silent...is designed to create longer key travel - 3.2 mm compared to 2.2 mm - than that of typical notebook keyboards; as a result, the distance your fingers have to travel to activate a key is optimized for your comfort. Micro-scissors distribute force evenly across key surfaces - even if you strike the edge of a key, the key stroke still feels the same."

While the individual keys provide exceptional tactile feedback and excellent travel, the overall typing experience is somewhat limited which will be explained later.

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With a maximum height of 0.366" (9.3mm) the low-profile design is also Logitech's thinnest keyboard thus far (that's slightly slimmer than an Apple iPhone!).

Left - Apple iPhone (non-3G); Right - Logitech Illuminated Keyboard

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Top - standard size Dell keyboard; Bottom - Logitech Illuminated Keyboard

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The transparent frame, as reported by Logitech, adds an "elegant touch to any desk"; I respectfully disagree. The clear plastic frame adds a hint of "cheapness" in my eyes, and I would have preferred a frame in the same black matte color like the rest of the keyboard or no frame at all.

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The backlight keyboards offer 4 brightness settings (100%, 50%, 25% and 0%). While most of the keys light up fairly evenly, the left SHIFT and ENTER keys do not. Although this doesn't affect the keyboard's usability in any way, it would be nice to see properly lit keys on the entire keyboard.

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User Experience

The Logitech Illuminated Keyboard is not designed as an ergonomic keyboard, yet it still provides an enjoyable and comfortable typing experience. Keys are remarkably responsive, providing instantaneous returns and the media controls offer a decent selection of customizable functions via Logitech's SetPoint software. Media controls include My home, e-mail, open web page, messenger, document flip, gadgets, calculator, eject drive, media player, volume control and keyboard brightness.

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Due to the ultra-thin design, the palm rest offers limited support for your wrists and are relatively shorter that the average palm rest observed in most keyboards - nevertheless, it is still very pleasant to use. Another feature that I found a little awkward are the elevated keys on the bottom row of the keyboard. This is the same feature found in the diNovo notebook keyboard, yet coming from a notebook standpoint, this feature feels slightly unwieldy.

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Most veteran typists will mention how a sloping keyboard can provide additional comfort; unlike the diNovo Notebook Keyboard, the Illuminated Keyboard does provide flip-down risers which offers better wrist support for some people.

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Conclusion

While the Logitech Illuminated Keyboard is not quite the cr&egrave;me de la cr&egrave;me of keyboards, it still ranks as one of the top most pleasurable and eye-pleasing keyboards I have used for a while. The ultra-thin form factor coupled with Logitech's PerfectStoke key system and backlit keys makes this keyboard an ideal candidate for most home notebook and desktop PCs. People who are night owls or are already accustomed to backlit keyboards on their notebooks will surly appreciate the illuminated keyboard and the features it brings. Since backlit keyboards can be purchased for as low as $20, most people will have to justify if the $60 premium is worth the better quality and in vogue design.

Pros:

• Excellent tactile feedback
• Sleek and modern design
• Comfortable usage
• More quiet than average keyboards

Cons:

• Uneven backlight on a couple keys
• No USB or other I/O ports
• No wireless option
• Cheap-looking plastic frame
• Elevated keys on bottom row of keyboard feels awkward

 

I had considered purchasing this just the other day!

Thanks David for a comprehensive review

 

Where can you get this? Thanks for the review, I'm in the market of getting a backlit keyboard.

 

I have this keyboard (Best Buy has it), and I love it. It has the perfect response of the laptop style keyboard, but with the full desktop keyboard size. Also it is very quiet, and because it has such shallow keys yet good feedback I can type extremely fast on it

 

nice review!

i agree with the keyboard clear plastic frame cheapening the whole looks.

but, i still like this keyboard. and would certainly consider getting it.

 

David!

This is an awesome and thorough review!

Just reading it makes me want to get the keyboard!

Kudos, on another great review! :yes:


Cin

 

I purchased this keyboard from Amazon. Having a slim profile was the first feature that attracted me at first, but I was slightly hesitant to purchase due to the high price tag. After using it for a while, I can confidently say the ease and feel in using this keyboard definitely justifies the price.

I agree I also own another low-profile keyboard (Logitech Ultra X-Flat) and the Razer Lycosa, and still prefer the Logitech Illuminated keyboard a lot more

Saitek had a $20 illuminted keyboard deal just last week. The deal may not be available anymore, but they do offer one of the cheapest illuminated keyboards.

Thanks Cin, wobble and sonority
It sure is a beautiful keyboard and comfort isn't comprised at all.
The clear plastic frame seems like it's clipped on and can be removed, so if that really bothers someone, it's possible to remove it yourself.

 

Is it possible to remove it without having to tear the keyboard apart? I've been looking at this one for a while, but the clear border thing is a bit of a turn-off.

 

I own this keyboard, and pretty much agree with everything said in the review. I do however like the clear plastic border.

Great review though, thanks.

 

Drat...I was working on review for this too. Great keyboard, turns out I bought one for my grandmother as well.

Time to send that review article to the trash can.

 

All I want to know is, how does this keyboard compared to the legendary IBM Model M Keyboard? (Or a thinkpad keyboard?)

 

I'm sorry about that I asked Andrew a couple weeks ago about writing the review for NBR, and he gave me the thumbs up, so I went for it. Maybe Andrew forgot?

I can't comment on the model M keyboard, but I have used the 14" Lenovo T61p over the Christmas holidays and found the Logitech to be a little louder than the T61p. In terms of the 'feel', it's similar (or at least it's the external keyboard that best resembles the T61p).

 

The keyboard seems nice but there's a thing that prevent me to buy it : where's the insert key ? I hate when they change the standard keyboard layout.

 

i'm thinking of buying it. i like the look and the transparent border would match my samsung lcd. but i also wonder where the insert key is. i really need it because i use vi a lot.

 

The insert key is right above the delete key

 

Great in depth review David another Class review great job

 

Nice review of an excellent keyboard (which I happen to have). Excellent feel typing on it, stylish, and personally I like the plastic transparent border. I'm not a good typist (the very reason I never use an "ergonomic" design), but for some reason I type faster with this keyboard. Great review, great keyboard ... maybe the best Logitech keyboard ever. For gaming, I'll probably still stick with Lycosa, but for any other tasks involving typing Logitech Illuminated is the way to go. I don't have high regard for wireless keyboards so I'm also glad it's not wireless. The rounded top of the keys at the bottom may be the only thing that leaves me indifferent.

 

Hey David great review! i've never seen or heard of this keyboard it looks great even with the transparent frame around it and i think its odd how they made the delete key so big that the insert key is in the top row but overall it looks really nice!

 

Thanks for the comments everyone.
The larger-than-usual delete key does seem awkward at first, but after using the keyboard for a few weeks, I actually like it and would prefer it that way

 

I bought one last night,
I sure hope that it is a good keyboard
I really enjoy typing on laptop keyboards. I am very slow at typing on a desktop keyboard - they just feel wrong

I am going to mount mine in my homemade laptop.
I did not know about the raise-able feet on this model. I may have to incorporate a hinge into the keyboard mounts.

I will be removing the clear plastic border piece and the built in palm rest piece.

As far as the backlight goes, I am going to upgrade it to something a bit more powerful

Thanks for the review David

K-TRON

 

I feel the exact opposite. I'm more comfortable with desktop keyboards
I know this thread is very old but I'd like to say thank you for this review. The keyboard is very good looking.