Logitech Wireless Multi-Device Keyboard For Windows

For $50 I wasn’t expecting much and was really surprised by the quality and how much I’ve ended up using this thing!
I love technology but I’m not really a phone person. I always feel restricted and just reach for my laptop. With this keyboard I can actually take notes, respond to emails and generally use my phone like a laptop (works great with DOSbox!).
I’ve used my calculator for the photo (needed my phone to take it!) but I wanted to show how easy it is to set up my phone to play my online courses and tutorials while I follow along on my laptop it’s really great! (slot width is only 7/16″ so make sure your phone will fit!)
I didn’t think the 3 way switch would really be for me either but It’s great to be able to switch between laptop, phone, and raspberry pi! (or whatever 3 you want to use that day!)
The keys are slightly concave which feels really good on the fingers and the keyboard feels good to type on.
To be honest I’m not supper picky (I mainly use my 90 dell usb keyboard) but this is a really nice (usually on the go) addition that has really opened up the usability of my phone!

Pros:
– solid build
– comfortable to use
– a bit heavy but still very portable without feeling like the keys are slammed together
– three way switch so you can hook up to three devices at once and very easily switch between them!
– three way switch is cut away nicely so its very easy and quick to switch between devices (photo 2)
– silicone padded slot to hold your phone while you type (slot is 7/16″ wide so make sure you phone will fit with its case!)
– works with windows, and Linux (raspberry pi) (also with mac but I haven’t tested)

cons:
– a bit heavy to lug around
– it would be nice to have some flip out feet so you could angle the keyboard
– phone slot could be a bit bigger (new phone doesn’t fit with its bulky case)

I got this for my wife for a gift and she has been going crazy-go-nuts over how much she loves it for several days. I’ll give a quick break down for people who are shopping.

Pros:

1. It works with anything that has Bluetooth, and VERY easily. We hooked up an iPad mini, and two cell phones (both android) in less than 3 minutes. It’s that easy. Just activate your Bluetooth on your device, search for devices, select the K480, type the verification code in on the keyboard, and you’re up.

2. It actually works as simply as it sounds. In all the devices we hooked up, we just turn the 3 way toggle and it automatically switches to that device, takes away the “on device” keyboard, and you start typing on that device. You can switch between devices on the fly, which takes like 1-2 seconds. My wife has her iPad mini and her phone in the cradle and is online and texting her mother simultaneously, just switching back and forth between devices with 1 flip of a switch.

It’s absurdly easy and she loves it with bells on.

Bells on?

No.

More like a whole hand bell choir, playing Beethoven while she sips tea with Emily Gaskell and Jane Austin in a gazebo in 1850’s Brittan.

Okay…maybe not that much.

3. It’s solid and doesn’t feel like it’s plastic. It’s not too heavy per say, but solid.

4. It has a clever sticker along the top that has full instructions to set things up and connect devices. As a guy, I love that she got to feel all “techie” by doing stuff without asking me for help. I love helping her, but figuring out technology on her own makes here feel somehow like a part of the CIA.

5. It’s a laptop sized keyboard. I’m writing this on my Asus laptop and the key spacing is identical to my laptop. The keys themselves are a little smaller with a little more space in between then, but if you can type on a laptop you can type on this. No cramped fingers and no hitting 2 keys with one finger.

6. It has multiple multifunction keys that are pre-programmed (like a “home” key, a “back” key, etc.). She’s figured out a bunch of cool shortcuts and has love learning to utilize this thing to actually make her more efficient and productive in the hour she has at the end of the night to get all the e-mail/web surfing time in.

7. It’s nicely thought out. There aren’t any unnecessary gadgets or needless buttons on this (though that’s pure opinion).

8. It’s Logitech. They just make decent stuff and they’re a brand name that has some credibility, being around the business for decades and decades. I still use 2 Logitech mice that are a decade old. They’re not a perfect company, but I have honestly never had serious problems with Logitech.

9. It shipped with batteries, included and ready to go. You just pull out the tab and you’re on.

Cons:

1. It was more costly than the alternatives. We got it on sale for $40, and that might seem high for a Bluetooth keyboard. There are other brands online for $15 or less. Then again, half those $15 options all look the same because they’re all made in the same sweatshop in China and re-branded by a company that won’t be around in 2 years once the money gets laundered.

Now it’s true that Logitech’s stuff is all made in Chinese sweatshop too, but Logitech has a long-standing name. Still, it probably doesn’t need to cost $40. It is definitely more solid and respectable a product than the $15 knock-off stuff, so I paid the fee and don’t regret it. As consumers, we’re likely getting skinned because of the name “Logitech”…but if we wanted a quality “made in America” product that was produced in a factory where the workers made an actually livable wage, it would cost $140.

What can you do?

2. They keys make noise. Some folks have complained that the keys are loud, and they’re about as loud as any regular laptop keyboard. I don’t see that as a con, but if you’re expecting it to be as quite as the touch pad on you phone, it won’t be. If you plan to use this to send text messages in church, you’ll get discovered pretty quick.

Then again, if you’re taking an external Bluetooth keyboard to church because you plan on texting that much, you have some serious problems.

So, for $40 I made my wife significantly happier for several days. That alone is worth the money for me.

I had this connected up in 5 easy steps in seconds. It recognised the Bluetooth on my Google Tablet and vice versa. I love the click of the keys, and the accuracy I get from not using a screen keyboard (and the bigger screen area that doesn’t have a cut out for the keyboard). This keyboard is robust, and portable although I principally use it at home