Logitech K800 Keyboard Review

[nextpage title=”Introduction”]

Our readers are used to our reviews of several gaming-oriented peripherals like headsets, mice and keyboards. Since life cannot be just fun and games (unfortunately), this time we faced a work-related device: Logitech’s K800, a wireless keyboard that provides a fantastic typing experience due to its very comfortable keys. It was so great that the work itself didn’t bother us that much. Let’s talk about the physical characteristics of the keyboard and then describe its new features to see how the K800 fared in our test.

Figure 1: The K800 keyboard

With an elegant design, the K800 is a slim model that would enhance any office desk, being either hooked to a PC or a notebook – as an alternative to a laptop’s usually cramped keyboard. The 12 function keys can launch additional functions when the FN key – located between the right Alt and Control – is pressed. They launch an e-mail client, control media files (play, pause, change file etc) and the level of brightness.

Figure 2: Function keys

The illumination is the main feature of the keyboard aside from being wireless. A motion sensor detects if the user’s hands are near and controls the level of brightness in response to the ambient light. So the darker the room, the more intense the illumination. The user can also choose to control the level of brightness according to his or her tastes (even to leave the keyboard unlit). Of course, the battery consumption will be affected by those choices. Logitech says that a regular battery charge (through a mini USB/USB cable) will last for 10 days if the user relies on the motion sensor and turns off the keyboard while it’s not being used. In our test, the battery lasted for 7 days with the factory charge. If you can’t use the cable, it’s possible to recharge the K800 with 2 AA batteries. But the battery case is kept close by a tiny screw – it would be better if it was a snap-on case.

Figure 3: The battery compartment and mini USB port

Figure 4: Illuminated keyboard

On the upper right side the user finds the battery level indicator and the on/off button.

Figure 5: The battery level indicator and the on/off button

[nextpage title=”The Unifying System”]

To make things easy for owners of wireless devices from Logitech, the company developed a USB connector that can incorporate them and unify the signal reception. Just download the software and it will detect the devices. Unfortunately, as we pointed out, the Unifying unit only works with other wireless peripherals from Logitech: it gave our wireless headset from Creative a cold shoulder.

Figure 6: The USB Unifying unit

Figure 7: Unifying software

The K800 installation performed as a typical plug-and-play device. Once we plugged the Unifying unit on an available USB port, the keyboard was up and running.

[nextpage title=”Typing With the K800″]

The typing performance of the K800 is impressive. Soft and precise keystrokes, equal pressure distributed across the board. This text came out faster than usual (the typing part, that is) thanks to the keyboard. The rounded corners of each key make the finger slide to the next in swift gestures, enhancing typing speed. Those who read our tests know that we always complain when a keyboard doesn’t feature illumination – but this is the main strength of the K800 alongside the wireless feature. The light doesn’t only shine from behind the letters/numbers/symbols, but from behind the entire bed of keys. The result is much like in the vein of the new Tron – Legacy.

It’s important to point out that the keyboard is delicate. We know that gaming isn’t what it is made for, so we really shouldn’t play with the K800. That would require sturdier keys that would resist the furious keystrokes, sudden movements and the occasional frustrated punch. The W key coil, for instance, wouldn’t handle being pressed for hours (it’s usually used for “walking forward” in action games and RPGs).

Although the motion sensor is a good ideia, when the user moves one hand towards the mouse the brightness dims a little. Both hands have to be on typing position for the K800 to be fully lit. The range of the motion sensor is not that big and sometimes we faced a darkened keyboard because one hand was resting on the mouse and the other was hovering a little over the keys.

The K800 became our official keyboard for work. When it’s on the table, we know the fun is over but at least the typing will be fluid and pleasant.

[nextpage title=”Main Specifications”]

The main specifications for the Logitech K800 keyboard include:

• 2.4 GHz wireless keyboard
• Illuminated keystrokes
• Motion sensor for hand proximity
• Battery charge good for 10 days (on average)
• Unifying USB receptor
• Dimensions: 18.4 x 8.2 x 2.3 inches (467 x 208 x 58 mm)
• More information: https://www.logitech.com
• Average price in the US*: USD 92.99

* Researched at Newegg.com on the day we published this review.

[nextpage title=”Conclusions”]

Below you can see a summary of our impressions about the Logitech K800.

Strong Points

• The best typing experience we’ve had to date
• Illuminated keyboard
• Sensor detects hand proximity to control brightness
• Wireless (and can also be used wired)
• Long duration battery charge
• Beautiful design

Weak Points

• Fragile thin body
• Battery compartment access through tiny screw