The Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K760 is the latest in a long line of great keyboards produced by Logitech over the years. Designed for Macs, this small form factor keyboard features a solar panel that recharges the onboard Lithium-ion battery using the ambient light in the room, and the ability to sync via Bluetooth to three separate devices. At a suggested retail of under $90 CAD, this is the best Bluetooth keyboard value on the market for my money. Best of all, you can get Logitech devices everywhere, so it’s easy to find.

I’ve probably tested out a hundred different kinds of keyboards over the years and to be honest, my favourite of all of them is the Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless Keyboard. I use one on my PC, and another on my Mac and love them. Their problem, however, is that they need to sit in the charging cradle every once in a while. This new K760 solves that particular problem with the ability to charge the battery via solar panel.

Photo fro Logitech – The Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K760

It takes about three seconds to set this keyboard up with each of your devices. I set mine up to work with my MacBook Pro, iPad and iPhone, and I love the thing already.

I know this is a pretty simplistic view, but I think that devices should be so easy to set up that you shouldn’t need to use the manual. I know, I know; that’s absurd, but for most electronics it’s my belief that the more complicated something is to set up, the less I want to have it.

Murray Hill photo – The Bluetooth Sync Button on the back of the Logitech K760

Setup for this keyboard is about as simple and intuitive as it gets. There’s a Bluetooth button on the back that’s used to sync the keyboard with whatever Bluetooth-equipped device you choose. Three Bluetooth buttons at the top of the keypad are obviously for three separate devices.

To set a device up you press the Bluetooth button on the back, the three Bluetooth keys on the front of the keyboard will blink so you select whichever button you want to use this device with.

Of course, you’ll need to make your Mac discoverable and any iPad or iPhone will have to go to the setup menu and connect the keyboard. Anyone who’s ever synced a Bluetooth device to another one will be able to sync this keyboard to that device in their sleep.

Photo from Logitech – Bluetooth Buttons on K760

Once paired with your devices, you just press the key assigned to that device to use the keyboard with it. I’d like it better if the keyboard recognized the three device automatically,  so I wouldn’t have to remember that I paired my iPhone with key #3 and my iPad with #2 – or was it vice versa?

The K760 is a small form factor sized keyboard, with no number pad on the right, and, because I have pretty big hands, it did feel a little bit cramped at first, although I got comfortable with it very quickly and really haven’t noticed any problems at all. Compared to Apple’s small form factor wireless keyboard so many people like, the K760’s Chiclet keys and the keyboard portion itself is virtually the same size with the biggest difference being the solar panel at the top which is about 1.5” high x 11” wide. The solar panel charges using sunlight or incandescent lighting, and you can use the keyboard while it’s charging. Pressing the f8 key gives you a quick read on how the battery charge is, and when it does run out of power you can leave it in the sun or under a light for a couple of hours and you’re back in business with a fully charged battery. Logitech claims that on a full charge the keyboard will operate for a month – even in the dark – which would be a trick since the keys don’t light up. No biggie though, the salient point is that a charge offers a lot of use.

The keys have a “different” feel to them, the throw reminds me of the keyboard on my laptop. It’s not so long as to be uncomfortable for extended typing, and it’s got just enough resistance to make typing comfortable. There are little pads on the back that tilt the top of the keyboard a little to offer more comfort while typing and it has LRF support. LRF (Little Rubber Feet) are on the bottom of each of the pads so the keyboard doesn’t slip around on your desktop.

Murray Hill photo – Apple Wireless Keyboard (top), Logitech K760 (bottom)

Of course, the K760, although designed for use with a Mac, will work with any Bluetooth equipped computer and Tablet or phone, although the layout might not be exactly convenient for PC users.

You’ll need OSX 10.5 (Leopard) or later installed on your Mac and iOS 4.0 or later on any iOS device you connect.

PROS: simple setup, great typing experience, makes using iPhone and iPad a lot easier for extended typing, decent pricing, great quality – I love it

CONS: Mac only, I’d like it to automatically switch to devices somehow; won’t charge under LED lighting; even though it’d shorten battery life, it’s be nice if the keyboard illuminated.

About Murray Hill

Murray Hill has been a freelance columnist appearing regularly in some of the most prominent Canadian newspapers since 1974. He began writing about technology over twenty-four years ago and he still maintains the belief that there's a gadget or gizmo for every situation and application. His fascination with technology and gadgets has endured for over fifty years, and has led to many familial discussions about the the difference between the words "need" and "want" when referring to tech. Based in Saskatoon, connect with Murray at: murray@communicatto.com

• Mail
|
• Web
|
• Twitter
|
• More Posts (52)