Logitech's K40 Wireless Touch Keyboard Designed For The Living Room
Like it or not, the PC is invading the average consumer's living room with a number of form factors ranging from your typical tower to "consoles" to PC solutions crammed into a stick. Couch surfing is becoming the norm, and consumers need an input solution that doesn't mean draping multiple cords across the floor. They need a wireless all-in-one device that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.
That's where Logitech's new keyboard comes in. The company's main goal with the new K400 Plus keyboard is "comfort." The device has a slim design, measuring just 1 inch thick in the back, 14 inches across and 5.5 inches wide. The corners are also rounded, making the keyboard easy to use and safe enough for the kids.
What makes this keyboard great is that it has a built-in touchpad so that users aren't forced to pull out a spare mouse. Presumably, the drawback is that this peripheral cannot be used as intended if installed directly to an HDTV, as it requires the Logitech Options software for personalizing key and touchpad settings. The touchpad itself, measuring 3 x 2 inches, includes left- and right-click buttons.
The keyboard is compatible with Windows 7, Windows 8/8.1 and Windows 10 (and later), Android 5.0 or later, and Google's Chrome OS. The keyboard wirelessly connects to these platforms by way of an extremely small receiver that fits into a USB port. The wireless range is 33 feet, making it an ideal keyboard solution for large rooms.
One of the hardware traits that makes this keyboard unique is that it has a second left-click button installed on the left side, allowing users to move the mouse cursor with their right hand and click on links with their left. There are also three media keys mounted above the touchpad, and the typical pre-configured hot keys crammed into the function keys.
Finally, the keyboard promises a battery lifespan of up to 18 months, but that's probably if users switch the keyboard off when it's not in use. The company's product page stated that the battery life will depend on environmental conditions, settings and actual use.
Overall, the Logitech Wireless Touch Keyboard K400 Plus looks to be an ideal solution for the living room, but it may also be a great device for the consumers who need portability. With wireless connectivity, an integrated touchpad and a slim design, the keyboard could be great for working on a laptop in the hotel room, or for controlling media in a business meeting.
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Logitech's new keyboard is now on sale in North America for $39.99. The device will go on sale worldwide in July.
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Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
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apertotes Several comments on this article look like if this were a press release or a paid ad. For example:Reply
"One of the hardware traits that makes this keyboard unique is that it has a second left-click button installed on the left side, allowing users to move the mouse cursor with their right hand and click on links with their left. "
That is on some MS keyboards from last year, and probably other brands too.
Any way, I won't ever buy a non-bluetooth wireless mouse or keyboard. -
FlayerSlayer There doesn't appear to be much of a difference between this and the earlier K400, but as someone who has a K400 already in use, these are great keyboards. The range isn't perfect though, so I do have occasional lag or missed keystrokes if the PC is just a little too far away.Reply -
dstarr3 The old K400 is a mighty fine keyboard. I don't know what they could have done to improve on the previous design.Reply -
ATL_Tech_Guy Ugg.. put an 8+" tablet in there that supports miracast please, I want to "beam" my PC/Streaming to the TV. Add wireless charging too.Reply -
Brian_R170 I also have had a K400 for 18 months. It would great to show what was improved between the K400 and K400 Plus (I think there are actually 2 older version). Looks like some buttons that were previously on the left side (above the ESC key) are replace with volume buttons above the touchpad, but that's pretty much it.Reply -
Brian_R170 ReplyAny way, I won't ever buy a non-bluetooth wireless mouse or keyboard.
Can you suggest a good one? I've been searching for either a Bluetooth keyboard/touchpad combo or a Bluetooth mouse that works well in the living room (at up to 10m distance like this Logitech model) and I have yet to find anything that is actually usable. This K400 isn't perfect but the touchpad works better than any Bluetooth touchpad or mouse I've tried.
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Brian_R170 Wait, now I see they also changed the arrow-key layout. The old keyboard had a half-width right-shift key to make room for the up-arrow key. This model has normal right-shift key and compresses together a half-height up-arrow and half-height down-arrow key. Hard to say which would be better without using them both. The right-shift key on the older model was awkward before getting used it.Reply -
apertotes Reply16028400 said:Any way, I won't ever buy a non-bluetooth wireless mouse or keyboard.
Can you suggest a good one? I've been searching for either a Bluetooth keyboard/touchpad combo or a Bluetooth mouse that works well in the living room (at up to 10m distance like this Logitech model) and I have yet to find anything that is actually usable. This K400 isn't perfect but the touchpad works better than any Bluetooth touchpad or mouse I've tried.
I have this one https://www.microsoft.com/hardware/en-ca/p/all-in-one-media-keyboard/N9Z-00002 and I am very happy with it.
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Emanuel Elmo and yet the one most important thing about a HTPC keyboard is left out.Reply
FREAKIN BACKLIT KEYS.
Is it so much to ask for? I guess so