Older Revision of Logitech Bluetooth Multi-Device Keyboard K480 Review
Logitech Bluetooth Multi-Device Keyboard K480 ReviewThe Logitech Bluetooth Multi-Device Keyboard K480 has a lot of nifty features. It has a built-in SmartPhone/Tablet stand. The most innovative feature is that you can pair it with three Bluetooth devices. And you can switch between the three devices with an analog know on the left side of the keyboard. That means you can use this keyboard with a computer, a SmartPhone, a tablet, and any such combination. It has a compact size that do away with the number pad and a set of small integrated arrow keys. Compact keyboards like this one share similarity with small laptop keyboard. If you are used to laptop keyboards, the Logitech K480 will feel right at home. If you are a right-handed mouse user, then doing away with the numeric keypad is a good thing. It's more ergonomic, because you can bring the mouse closer toward the center of your body. But if you are a left-handed mouse user, then it would be no different than a standard keyboard. Keys The most important aspect of a keyboard is the keys. The keyboard may have all sorts of bells and whistles, but if the keys aren't responsive and tactile, then it's as good as paperweight. At first glance, the Logitech Bluetooth Multi-Device Keyboard K480 looks to have chiclet keys. But they are a cross between square and circle keys. Also most keys are concave down for your to rest your fingers, while the special keys are concave up for you to touch sense. The keys have medium length travel. The travel is long enough that they feel like normal key presses on a normal keyboard. In most cases, the Logitech K480 keys work as expected for a compact keyboard. You can use function key (fn) with the arrow keys for HOME, END, PAGE UP, and PAGE DOWN. The only thing that takes a little getting used to is the Windows key that is actually labeled as "start", rather than the familiar Windows logo. Also, Logitech has chosen to move the menu key to the "F3" key location and implement both ALT and CTRL next to the arrow keys. Another important aspect of the Logitech K480 response rate is that I can feel no lag. As soon as I press the key, it immediately registers with my computer. This response is extremely important for gaming and doing work efficiently. I learned the importance of this response rate when I recently used the Motorola XOOM keyboard that has an approximate 1 second lag. I could do work on it, but gaming is no go. Function Keys Similar to other keyboard on the market, Logitech K480 places priority with its multimedia keys over function keys. Therefore, to activate a F1 through F12 key, you have to hold down the function key (fn). Bluetooth Pairing Device Switch Knob Battery Compartment The battery compartment is on the bottom of the Logitech Bluetooth Multi-Device Keyboard K480. Slide the battery compartment cover to the right and it pops right off. The cover feels quite flimsy, but chances are you won't be opening/closing it too often. The battery compartment holds two AAA-batteries. The specification says you need alkaline batteries, but we have found that rechargeable NiMH batteries works just fine. Power Switch The K480 keyboard has a power switch on the bottom. But there is no on/off position indication. After some trial and error, we determine that when moved toward the left with a red indication mean it's turned off. When you push the switch to the right, it is turned on. Battery Indicator There is also a battery indicator on the bottom of the keyboard, next to the power switch. But being on the bottom of the keyboard means you will never see it. Therefore, we don't really know what it indicates, other than that it lights up for a short them when you turn on the keyboard. SmartPhone and Tablet Stand Compare K480 to K380 Other than the physical form, the Logitech K480 and the Logitech Bluetooth Multi-Device Keyboard K380 are practically the same keyboard. But the K380 is a much smaller and more compact keyboard. It's a better choice over the K480 if compactness is important to you. Otherwise, the K480 is much more comfortable to use due to the long key travel. The key travel on the K380 is so short that it feels like you are tapping on hard cardboard. Although the key travel seems similar to a chiclet laptop keyboard, it's far more comfortable to type on most laptops than the Logitech K380 keyboard. Other noteable difference is that the K380 has three device switch buttons than a device switch knob on the K480. I prefer the three device switch buttons over the knob. There is also no SmartPhone/tablet stand on the K380. So if your primary purpose is to use it with a SmartPhone or a tablet, then K480 may be a better choice for you. Of course, you can get an adjustable SmartPhone/tablet stand that would work well with the K380. You'll just have an extra gadget to carry around. The power switch on the K380 is on the left side of the keyboard. Other than that, it's quite similar to the K480. The K380 also uses two AAA batteries and is compatible with both alkaline and rechargeable NiMH batteries.Related Links |
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