Logitech's New Wireless Living Room Keyboard is Backlit
Logitech has built a wireless keyboard for the living room with backlighting.
Logitech's K400 keyboard was very well received in the past, as it made an excellent keyboard for use in the living room. It features a keyboard along with a touchpad, combining both a mouse and keyboard into a single wireless device. It was also quite cheap though, which did reflect in the build quality of the unit -- it worked perfectly fine, but it never had a high-end feel to it.
Now, Logitech has announced the K830 illuminated keyboard. This keyboard employs the same principle as the K400, combining a keyboard and a pointing device, but takes it a step further. As the name indicates, it features backlighting -- and yes, the keyboard is still wireless. It connects to your PC through Logitech's 2.4 GHz unifying receiver.
In order to ensure that the batteries will last long enough, the backlighting will only turn on when you actually type -- five seconds after you stop typing they will power off again. Fortunately, the keyboard can be recharged, so despite probably not lasting as long on a single charge as the K400 did, you'll never be taking batteries from your TV remote in order to use it. Also, most folks will probably be using this keyboard for their media center, where, let's be honest, you won't be doing a lot of typing.
Pricing for the unit is set at $99.99, and it should be coming to shelves any moment now in both Europe and the United States.

I love Logitech products. I have always found there peripherals to be comfortable and dependable. I have used other manufacturers, but they never feel as comfortable as Logitech and they never last. You can't beat the longevity of there products. Every keyboard and mouse I have ever purchased from them still works 100%. I still have 3 of there original optical mice that first came to replace the old ball mice. They all still work to this day as good as the day I bought them.
They sell tons of Bluetooth iPad keyboards for $99. I'm pretty sure there will be a market for this, just not one you're thinking of.
I never had to repair my MX Performance and my K800... ever...
Blutooth? Hell no, not on W7, having to constantly pair is a PITA. Hopefully they use Lithium Ion batteries in this keyboard instead of the eNi-TIME knock off Sanyo Eneloops.
My mouse and keyboard have a cable going to the Case ... no problems here.
Got a backlit green one for like $20.
Sometimes the best solution is the simple one.
My mouse and keyboard have a cable going to the Case ... no problems here.
Got a backlit green one for like $20.
Sometimes the best solution is the simple one.
And?
My mouse and keyboard have a cable going to the Case ... no problems here.
Got a backlit green one for like $20.
Sometimes the best solution is the simple one.
Wrong market. Wired mice and keyboard are way less than convenient for HTPC based computer systems, which these types of keyboards/mice are designed for. I can't imagine having a 2 20 foot cables laying in the middle of my floor running from the couch to the computer hooked up to the TV for the mouse and keyboard.
To let you know I have once with the 5500 and about 3 times with the 5000 re-paired them over many years of service (excluding PC overhauls and upgrades) and do not have them drop out like some say and they have been used at over 5 meters constantly with no problems (original media access through TV).
Then got a K400 - good but no backlight and the batteries last for ages (a good set about a year give or take a couple of months due to usage)
The K830 is a great set up, and it does have a extra left click mouse button on the left top edge.
Lithium rechargeables last me about 4 to 6weeks of use with the illumination set on low (which has been ample bright enough for me).
It cost me under $100 ($105 retail price with discount) and it is well worth it to see what you are pressing.
Overall, the only fault I can find is the not quite perfect keystroke operation, the keys are flat and take a little while to get used to after using better shaped keys.
As for the comment above, obviously they do not use their keyboard and mouse away from their computer, I also have a gaming keyboard and mouse plugged in, but I cannot take that to the lounge and watch on my TV (3D 65" 4KTV and PC both have WIDI)
I have no idea why so many are complaining, as this K830 is a great piece of kit and besides, if you want something good, you usually have to pay for it..
To let you know I have once with the 5500 and about 3 times with the 5000 re-paired them over many years of service (excluding PC overhauls and upgrades) and do not have them drop out like some say and they have been used at over 5 meters constantly with no problems (original media access through TV).
Then got a K400 - good but no backlight and the batteries last for ages (a good set about a year give or take a couple of months due to usage)
The K830 is a great set up, and it does have a extra left click mouse button on the left top edge.
Lithium rechargeables last me about 4 to 6weeks of use with the illumination set on low (which has been ample bright enough for me).
It cost me under $100 ($105 retail price with discount) and it is well worth it to see what you are pressing.
Overall, the only fault I can find is the not quite perfect keystroke operation, the keys are flat and take a little while to get used to after using better shaped keys.
As for the comment above, obviously they do not use their keyboard and mouse away from their computer, I also have a gaming keyboard and mouse plugged in, but I cannot take that to the lounge and watch on my TV (3D 65" 4KTV and PC both have WIDI)
I have no idea why so many are complaining, as this K830 is a great piece of kit and besides, if you want something good, you usually have to pay for it..
I paired both keyboard and mice sets to a single receiver and never looked back. The only downside was the Performance Mouse left click issue but learned that if you open the mouse, and applied some WD40 to the contacts under the micro switch it fixed the double-click. I went through 3 Performance Mouse MX before I saw the fix on their forum.
I also wish the K360 had backlit keys Or their K810 used the unifying receiver.
I just may be a Logitech fanboy, on top of this I have the Z-5500, X-540, Harmony 700, Harmony 510, and the Illumined Wired Keyboard.