Logitech MX Keys Mini
One of the best keyboards on the market, the Logitech MX Keys, goes mini. The difference from the original model is simply the loss of the right area, the one used for the numeric keypad and some function keys. The layout is pretty much the same, except for a small rework in the lower right corner, with slightly smaller keys to make room for the four directional arrows.According to Logitech this version is meant for creators, that do not need the numeric keypad or for those who simply want to organize their desk space better, thanks to a smaller footprint. Or, we add, it is also ideal for those who want to take their keyboard with them, especially in this period in which smart working is very widespread and every now and then it is necessary to see each other in person with some colleague, without having to give up in these moments. to comfort and daily habit. Obviously the weight changes, which goes from 810 grams to 506, but fortunately this reduction in weight and size did not affect the autonomy.
The size of the keys and the actuation mechanism has remained unchanged, so you will have the exact same feeling when using the larger model. For those unfamiliar with it, the keys are well sized with a hollow in the center, the stroke of about a millimeter or so makes the pressure soft but precise, and it is also quite silent. It is an excellent keyboard for those who write a lot, there are no other ways to describe it. The keys are backlit, and sensors activate and deactivate the lighting as soon as you approach or move away from the keyboard, offering excellent ergonomics and preserving the battery. The autonomy is several months if you do not activate the backlight, while you will have to recharge it approximately every two weeks with intensive use and LEDs on. There is a USB-C connector to recharge it.
Available in three colors, pink, graphite and light gray, there is also the version for Mac, white and with the layout of the keys from Apple.
As for the big sister also in this case Bluetooth connectivity is used, and there is no BT dongle in the package. It is also compatible with Bolt, in case you want to use it, with the appropriate receiver, in a business or very crowded environment where the new connectivity can make a difference. With the special function keys it is possible to combine the MX Keys Mini with three different bluetooth devices, including tablets or smartphones and quickly switch from one to the other.
There is also some news, such as a special function key dedicated to emojis, usable on all systems and useful, above all, when you combine it with a smartphone to type faster. You can also activate, directly with a specific key, the dictation mode, which recalls the voice assistant of the operating system, or a mode of quick deactivation of the microphone, a pleasant addition considering the amount of videoconferencing that many workers are forced to do today. during the days.
Verdict
Judging this keyboard is simple. Being essentially a smaller version, without a numeric keypad, of the excellent MX Keys, the Mini version offers the same ergonomics and performance as its bigger sister, resulting in an equally excellent keyboard. The only flaw is the price, as it costs practically the same as the larger model. If you have desk space and don't have a real reason to want the compact version, then we recommend buying the full model, as the additional functions, which boil down to a few more function keys, don't make a real difference. Otherwise, if you haven't purchased this keyboard until today because it didn't fit on your desk or you wanted a portable model, it's time to buy.Logitech Shrunk Its Excellent MX Keys to Create a Mini Rival to Apple’s Magic Keyboard
Finding a compact keyboard that’s as clean and minimalist as the Apple Magic Keyboard—but not so Apple-centric—isn’t easy. There are lots of options featuring fancy switches and RGB lighting targeted at gamers, but for the rest of us, Logitech has lopped off the number pad from its excellent MX Keys keyboard and rebranded it as the new Logitech MX Keys Mini.
If you prefer pounding away on a loud clacky keyboard with mechanical switches under every key, the MX Keys Mini isn’t for you. But if you favor the quieter low-travel keys on a laptop, Logitech’s latest addition might be better suited for your desktop needs. Instead of each key being completely flat, Logitech has added a spherical indent the company claims will better match the shape of your fingertips for improved accuracy, but it’s no miracle cure for hunt-and-peck typists. What’s even more useful is the inclusion of a dedicated emoji key, and a convenient microphone mute button given most of our working days still revolve around awkward conference calls and video meetings.
Unlike Apple’s Magic Keyboard that doesn’t include any lighting, the new MX Keys Mini does, with backlit keys that automatically adjust their illumination to the ambient lighting conditions in the room, and only turn on when a proximity sensor actually detects your fingers near the keyboard. That’s an important feature because according to Logitech, the LED backlighting is a real drain on the keyboard’s rechargeable battery. With the illumination turned off, the USB-C rechargeable MX Keys Mini will run for up to five months—with the LEDs on, that drops to just ten days.
Wireless connectivity is handled either through a USB receiver attached to a computer, or Bluetooth, which allows the MX Keys Mini to work with devices running Windows, macOS, iOS, iPadOS, Android, ChromeOS, or Linux. The keyboard can actually be connected to three different devices over Bluetooth at the same time, and easily switch between them with a quick button press.
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Despite its smaller footprint, the new MX Keys Mini appears to be priced exactly the same as the original Logitech MX Keys keyboard at $100, and both are available now.