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New Logitech Mechanical Keyboards are Conservative in Looks and Price (arstechnica.com) 60

Posted by msmash from the for-what-it-is-worth dept.
Logitech has introduced two mechanical keyboards to its lineup. Shipping in February, the boards are part of the company's PC gaming brand, but with their $70 starting price and classic, toned-down look, they're also interesting candidates for someone seeking a productivity keyboard with mechanical switches. From a report: The Logitech G G413 SE and G413 TKL SE are $80 and $70, respectively, offering a reasonable entry point for people who might think mechanical keyboards are too expensive. Logitech, specifically its G gaming brand, isn't afraid to overload its keyboards with RGB lighting, but the backlight on these boards comes in white only. The standard G413 is available with an all-white or all-red backlight. A subdued appearance continues with a top case made of aluminum-magnesium alloy with a brushed black finish that matches the black PBT keycaps. The plastic should be an upgrade from the non-SE G413's ABS plastic keyboards, as PBT is generally more resistant to degradation over time. Underneath those keycaps are what Logitech calls "tactile mechanical switches." That phrase suggests something like Cherry MX Browns, but Logitech didn't specify the exact switch used. According to the full-size SE keyboard's product page, the switches actuate at 1.9 mm with 50 g of force and bottom out at 4 mm.
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New Logitech Mechanical Keyboards are Conservative in Looks and Price More

New Logitech Mechanical Keyboards are Conservative in Looks and Price

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  • For better options... (Score:5, Insightful)

    by bb_matt ( 5705262 ) on Tuesday January 25, 2022 @02:55PM (#62206429)

    There's keychron - https://www.keychron.com/ [keychron.com]

    Not affiliated with this company at all, but I'm totally loving the low profile model I got from them.
    It's not perfect, by any stretch - I got a slightly older model, that had no way to elevate the back of the keyboard with feet, so I just used some 3M sticky pads.
    6 months and counting, as a touch typist (coder), super happy with my purchase.

    The awesome here, is you can choose the mechanical switches you want - within reason.
    The stock isn't the best - small company, lots of models and options "sold out"

    Worth a look, if you love typing - it's the low profile I was seeking and I found it.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by q4Fry ( 1322209 )

      Interesting. Thanks for sharing. I do wish their site had some facet searching. "Has numpad", "Has Pause/Break/Insert/...", "Has Function Keys", etc. would be nice.

      I want to see all the keyboards and do my own filtering.

      • Re:For better options... (Score:4, Informative)

        by Can'tNot ( 5553824 ) on Tuesday January 25, 2022 @04:42PM (#62206729)
        There are terms for those things, you just need to know the lingo. Enthusiast keyboards are usually denoted by percentage:

        A full sized keyboard, with numpad, is a 100% (or just "fullsize").
        A similar keyboard without the numpad is an 80% or TKL (tenkeyless).
        A keyboard which retains the function keys but which generally has a reduced navigation cluster and a more compact layout is a 75%.
        One with no function keys and a reduced nav cluster is a 65%.
        One with no nav cluster is a 60%.

        Technically there are 40% keyboards and even smaller, but 60% is about as small as it gets while still retaining some practicality. Even at that size the arrow keys are behind a layer, so you need to hold down a meta key in order to use them.

        ... I've been using a Model M for many years, but a little while back I thought I'd look into a replacement and I discovered just how absolutely crazy the enthusiast keyboard community has gotten in the last decade. Don't go too far down that rabbit hole, it is very deep.

        • Yeah, I was somewhat amazed at the world of mechanical keyboards, but I was just after something solid and reliable to type on.
          It took a lot of research, some duff purchases, to find what suited me.
          Keychron seem to have touched on a price point to quality ratio that works.
          They probably aren't the best, aren't the most attractive (who cares?), but the price for what you get is hard to beat.

          I'm not sold on the illuminated keys and programmable side of things, I just don't care about that - a keyboard is for t

        • I'm using a Planck like (40%) and I don't have any reduced practicality. I have the modifiers on the home row using modifier keys and one of those gives access to a layer with arrows and numpad. I think its really down to a matter of taste. To me, the less movement the better, for some, more keys the better and for others something in the middle. I find it faster to switch layer and use arrows then to move my whole hand to reach the arrow keys.

    • Re:For better options... (Score:4, Informative)

      by CubicleZombie ( 2590497 ) on Tuesday January 25, 2022 @03:20PM (#62206485)

      The awesome here, is you can choose the mechanical switches you want - within reason.

      I have a Logitech K845 [logitech.com] and you can order them with 1 of 5 different mechanical switch types. I ordered mine with the "Cherry MX Red" switches. The feel is fantastic and it's not loud enough to annoy others in the office. Best keyboard I've ever used.

      Before that I had another Logitech mechanical keyboard (forgot the model) that was lower priced and geared towards gamers. The keys started wearing out after just a few months of use.

      • I used to swear by Logitech back in the day - and although when I started on my computer journey, mechanical keyboards were pretty much the only thing, I couldn't afford a computer that used one, so I got a ZX81 then a Spectrum.
        I learned to type on a horrible rubbery keyboard with membranes underneath (I was about 13 at the time)

        In time, I used mechanical keyboards, but my profession back then was a draughtsman before CAD.
        When I started using CAD, membrane keyboards were more prevalent - and the quality was

    • I got my 100% from them last week, pretty good keyboard so far, though I am a little annoyed that the palm rest I ordered for it is only 3/4 the keyboard's length, and because it is solid wood, it is starting to warp.

  • Good, RGB is overdone (Score:3)

    by spun ( 1352 ) <loverevolutionary&yahoo,com> on Tuesday January 25, 2022 @02:55PM (#62206431) Journal

    I must be an old fuddy-duddy because I don't want my computer to glow inside with some infernal light. I bought a pre-built gaming PC recently because parts are so hard to find and the thing was a glowing nightmare until I turned off all that crap. Mechanical keyboard I got was the same way. No thank you.

    • Like inside a server? You know, real, honest-to-goodness telltales. Let me see things like power supply status, SCSI or IDE chain hardware status, memory hardware status, BUS status . . . all the fun stuff that makes diagnosing a hardware failure so-o-o much easier. Go ahead and put it under plexiglass at that point, and put a sticker on it somewhere with cleaning instructions (trust me, you're not gonna want to see operating electronics for long - things can get pretty gross, pretty quick. Something ab

    • I like RGB keyboards (Score:4)

      by dskoll ( 99328 ) on Tuesday January 25, 2022 @04:03PM (#62206599) Homepage

      I used to use a Model M keyboard clone from Unicomp, but it was really noisy. I switched to a Logitech G213, which is not a mechanical keyboard but nevertheless has quite a nice feel to it. I also initially thought the RGB lights were silly, but I found a use for them: They reflect the color of my Xymon monitoring software. So if all is good, they are green; if there's a warning, they are yellow, and if something's critical, they go red. It's an unobtrusive way to notify me of a problem. (I'm only monitoring my personal machines, so don't want to set up email or pager notifications.)

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by spun ( 1352 )

        That's actually sounds pretty cool!

      • I used to use a Model M keyboard clone from Unicomp, but it was really noisy.

        That's what I use.

        I've been working from home geez, almost a decade now, so I don't mind the noise.

        Actually, I kinda like it...to me that's half the point of getting the old fashioned buckling keyboards.

        But YMMV....

        ;)

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by dskoll ( 99328 )

          I work at home too, but my daughter's bedroom is right next to my office and she was disturbed by the sound. :) Also, I make the occasional tech video and the sound of the Model M clone was very distracting.

    • I got a red mech keyboard with clone red switches for 35 USD. I wanted something I could use in the dark.obvs. but it had to be rgb or red...

    • Nice thing about my Logitech G710+ is that all the lights can be dimmed and turned off completely. The WASD keys have one brightness control, and all other keys have a separate control. Pretty nice, actually.

      Alas, the firmware and integrated software is pretty awful. Sometimes the keyboard is unresponsive when I wake up the PC from sleep mode, it doesn't work at all during POST, and the programmable media keys didn't work at all with one version of the driver, forcing me to revert to an older version. L

  • Epomaker (Score:3)

    by trelanexiph ( 605826 ) on Tuesday January 25, 2022 @02:57PM (#62206435) Homepage
    I'm typing this on an Epomaker EP84 at the same pricepoint. Either subbie doesn't know anything about mechanical keyboard prices, subbie works for Logitech, or this is an advertisement.

  • The TK one looks identical to the K840 keyboard logitech sells for $60 MSRP, but this G version is $80.

    K840: https://www.logitech.com/en-us... [logitech.com]

    The only differences seem to be a backlight (who looks at their keyboard nowadays?) and a scroll lock light (I have never used this)

    I guess it's an option for people who need that G branding.

  • Important news here! (Score:5, Funny)

    by UsuallyReasonable ( 2715457 ) on Tuesday January 25, 2022 @03:07PM (#62206449)
    So glad to have learned this!

  • Most of us, who are proficient enough with keyboards to want a good mechanical keyboard, really don't look at them much, but spend most of our interaction feeling them.

    We don't need much in extra features, but just good solid keys that are easy to press, however give a nice response to let you know you have created the distance for the key to be processed. Easy to clean, for gamer nKey rollover may be a big deal, but other than that most of the other stuff is just useless fluff.

    • The question for a mechanical keyboard is how LOUD is it? Having to work within hearing of somebody else's mechanical keyboard is right up there with being waterboarded, um, probably.

      • Re:We don't look at our keyboards (Score:5, Informative)

        by CubicleZombie ( 2590497 ) on Tuesday January 25, 2022 @03:26PM (#62206499)

        Logitech with the "red' switches are not loud at all. There's no mid-stroke click, just a tap at the bottom. But when I end up sitting next to someone I hate, I break out the old IBM Model-M. Bonus that you can beat someone to death with it if needed.

      • I've got a full size* G413 with black brushed aluminium & adjustable red backlighting**. It's fantastic. It gives all the tactile feedback I was looking for, without the loudness of the typical cherries.

        However these Logitech Romer-G keys are both a positive & a negative. They're quieter than the cherries, but I've yet to see spares on the market. So as it stands, if you manage to abuse your keyboard enough to need new keys, you'll have to hand out another 80 quid for a new keyboard.

        FWIW, my keyboar

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by G00F ( 241765 )

          got a G213 as a gift from kids a few years back, no qualms and I don't feel the need to get anything pricier. Hope it lasts another 10+ years.

          Before that was using a cheap Memorex ps2/usb keyboard or MS natural keyboard.

        • Gamers don't want numpads because it puts their mouse further from the used key position. Something I learnt stepping into the rabbit hole before stepping out.
    • You'll want a different keyboard for gaming and for typing anyway. Lighter keys on the gaming one, but if you use that for typing you'll often press 2 keys at once and it just doesn't feel right (maybe that's just me). I got a few Keychron keyboards, decent quality and you can select the kind of switch you want:a light one for gaming, a more firm and clicky one for typing. I love their "tenkeyless" layout on my work desk to save space; it's laid out like a full size keyboard with the numpad taken off, b
  • The brushed silver aluminum gives a nice contrast instead of an all black keyboard (yuck). I use the lowest light setting (it has white leds). So far several years in and nothing has worn off the keys so I guess I am fine with ABS plastic here - in bright light the plastic now looks polished on the wear points but nothing to really note.

    I had one of those early backlit saitek keyboards and the silver paint started wearing off the otherwise clear keys in a matter of weeks, key back lighting sure has come

  • K845 (Score:3)

    by Frederic54 ( 3788 ) on Tuesday January 25, 2022 @03:22PM (#62206489) Journal

    Logitech has the K845, a mechanical keyboard with TTC blue/red/brown switches or genuine Cherry MX red/blue, "office" looking, aluminium plate, black keys, white-only lightning, for $50. So what's new with this G413 ?!?

    • I have a G413 at home and a K840 at work and the only salient different apart from the backlight is that the G keyboard has a usb port. Similarly, these new ones appear to be minor refreshes with different switches.

  • Anyone know a good mechanical keyboard with multimedia keys (the multimedia keys don't need to be mechanical)?

    • Price is a bit higher, but I absolutely love my MK Typist (with Kailh BOX White): https://mechanicalkeyboards.co... [mechanicalkeyboards.com]

      It's simple, no RGB nonsense, fully programmable and has multimedia keys (well, volume; it can be programmed to do any of the others if you want though).

    • The best keyboard I've used, and currently have sitting under my fingers, is the Logitech G915
      https://www.logitechg.com/en-a... [logitechg.com]
      It's not cheap, but it's excellent.
      Low-profile, mechanical keyswitches. Full compliment of multimedia keys, volume roller and dual wireless connections (low-latency Lightspeed Wireless and regular ol' Bluetooth)

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by dcw3 ( 649211 )

        I'm typing on a G910 that's dying. the "a" and space keys either skip or double type. I've had several prior Logitech "G" kybds, and this one's been the worst.

  • Just picked it up two weeks ago. Wish it didn't have silly lighting... but I like the keys quite a bit. And I also appreciate being able to clean under the keys without popping them off...

    But I do miss the keys from those keyboards from the late 90's to early 2000's... big old compaq or HP clackety keys.

    Actually, that should be the terms. Clackety, Extra-Clackety, and Non-Clackity.

  • Thesaurus broken? (Score:3)

    by Anonymous Crowded ( 6202674 ) on Tuesday January 25, 2022 @04:34PM (#62206705)
    Why would they use "conservative" for a keyboard?

    From the pics: 'minimalist' is the word you are looking for

    Your price of $70-$80 is either "moderate" if you're looking at buying a useable keyboard (still high) and "competitive" if you're talking about keyboard zealots.

    It's like you tell a toddler when they throw a fit slashdot: use your words.
  • When I was a young pup I experienced the joy of typing on a real IBM PC buckling spring keyboard. If you want the best tactile feedback keyboard design ever made, go Unicomp. The company was founded by ex-IBM and Lexmark employees who purchased the IP for those classic keyboards from IBM after IBM moved to cheap Asian rubber keys. And oh yeah, it's made in the USA: https://www.pckeyboard.com/ [pckeyboard.com]
  • How much was Slashdot, or the mod, paid to post this?

  • Nope, they don't have a volume roller for adjusting the system volume. They are dead to me.
    The roller seems very simple, but is now my favourite feature on all the Logitech keyboards I've used that have it, like the G915
    https://www.logitechg.com/en-a... [logitechg.com]

  • Take a look at the photos: the keys with multiple characters have the upper- and lowercase characters printed NEXT TO each other. These are a hard pass for me. Those are the keys I tend to have to glance at to make sure I'm getting the correct character. With, these I have to try to remember whether the character on the left is shifted or not. Nope. I have an expensive Corsair keyboard that is just gathering dust because Corsair thought that is was OK to print the lowercase character ABOVE the uppercase one

  • While the 20th century understood the relationship between falling hemlines and recession. In this era, old-fashioned unadorned computer equipment has got to be an indicator that we're tightening our belts, reducing our conspicuous spending, and preparing for recession. The preparation can itself cause recession, a sort of self-fulfilling prophecy.

  • I just don't understand the attraction of mechanical keyboards. They're noisy, have ridiculously long key travel, and are just generally unpleasant.

    Give me a nice rubber dome any day.

    • The long key travel is a feature. You need to look not just at maximum travel but also actuation height. You don't have to press the key down until it stops to get a keypress on most mech keyswitches. More travel means less accidental keypresses when fat fingering.

      • I'll have you know my fingers are pleasantly slim. :)

        I learned to type on a Selectric, so I'm no stranger to long key travel. But I can type faster on a short key travel keyboard, and I really don't have a problem with hitting the wrong key.

        What I really despise is loud keyboards. And mechanical keyboards are inevitably louder than rubber domes.

  • Personally, the reason I want a mechanical keyboard is because I want to choose different switches. If they don't tell me what I'm getting, I don't want to buy it. My personal preference is for Hall effect switches or optical switches where the electrical part can be sealed away from the environment and doesn't have the moving parts. Input Club [kono.store], APT [drop.com], and Wooting [wooting.io] are offering pre-orders for Hall effect keyboards. Some Keychron keyboards have their in house optical switches, and there's several keyboards [gadgetreview.com] tha

  • I am too old to purchase computer equipment that produces unicorn vomits. :) I’d prefer the money is spent elsewhere.

  • Methinks it must have macros for typing various MAGA slogans like "drain the swamp!", "lock her up!" and "Let's go Brandon!" This will save me heaps of time - thanks Logitech!

  • At the start of the pandemic I decided to buy a mechanical keyboard since I was going to be working at home anyway. I went with a fullsize (they have 10keyless too) Filco Majestouch [amazon.com] with Cherry Brown switches and have been very happy with it.

    I like the tactile nature of the browns while they're still pretty quiet. You can get custom bands and caps to adjust the impact and look, but I've kept it vanilla. The keyboard is no-frills, built solid and heavy, and has worked great for the last couple of years.

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