Final month, Logitech continued marching by means of its catalog to refresh one more considered one of its hottest Mac equipment. We’ve been seeing these new S-series releases over the previous couple of years, however simply what does Logitech deliver to the desk for its newest keyboard, the MX Keys S? I’ve been spending a while with the brand new Mac-ready launch and may clear all the pieces up beneath the fold as I take a hands-on take a look at the brand new Logitech MX Keys S and its environmentally-conscious design.
Palms-on with the brand new Logitech MX Keys S
Again in Might, Logitech launched the brand new MX Keys S. This new addition to its lineup arrives as one thing of an incremental replace to an older mannequin, which first landed on desktops all the best way again in 2020. Even though quite a bit has modified with Mac peripherals throughout the board in the marketplace, the previous three years have solely proven simply how future-proof the primary one was.
So the truth that Logitech is basically simply choosing issues up the place it left off earlier than is an ideal place to begin. There’s the identical elementary base as the usual iteration of MX Keys, simply with some enhancements that earn the brand new model that S naming scheme and its $110 price ticket. The principle motive why we’re getting this sequel to the favored keyboard is the newfound Quiet Click on expertise that makes the discharge have a quieter design than earlier than. That extra silent operation not solely earns the keyboard its new designation but in addition makes for a much less noisy typing expertise for the folks round you, though I’ve to say that you simply’ll nonetheless have the ability to take pleasure in these satisfying clicks with every keystroke – it simply gained’t be one thing that your roommates or coworkers are compelled to take pleasure in.
In any other case, there’s the identical multidevice help, 10-day battery life, and illuminated design as the unique. It leverages a neat backlighting system that mechanically illuminates the keys when your fingers method whereas additionally adapting to the atmosphere round you. There are some upgraded customizations that may be made within the companion Choices+ software program from Logitech, however the expertise largely packs the identical smarts after which some in comparison with what you’d count on from the keyboards constructed proper into considered one of Apple’s MacBooks, at the least within the backlighting division.
The Logitech MX Keys S can even have the ability to management extra than simply your Mac, with the onboard multidevice expertise, that means you possibly can join as much as three gadgets to it proper over Bluetooth. It’ll, in fact, work with macOS proper out of the field, but in addition iOS, Home windows, and different working methods. Battery life stays persistently nice, with the USB-C charging port guaranteeing {that a} full cost will supply 10 days of utilization with the backlight enabled. I’ve discovered it refuels a lot shortly while you do have to cost it lower than as soon as every week, and if that’s too typically, turning off the backlight means you possibly can go upward of 5 months earlier than plugging again in, although with the keyboard simply having launched lower than a month in the past, we’ll need to take Logitech’s phrase on that.
Included in the bundle that Logitech despatched me can be the MX Grasp 3S mouse. This mannequin launched a bit in the past, and I reviewed it proper after it hit the scene. I gained’t bore you with the identical ideas as earlier than. Nevertheless it does make for an ideal combo to your Mac workstation, particularly with the ability to purchase each with a bundled wrist relaxation for $200.
The keyboard itself sells for $110, with the Logitech MX Keys S arriving at $10 greater than its predecessor. One other approach that the corporate justifies the worth hike is by leveraging a extra environmentally-friendly development course of. Every unit is constructed from recycled plastics, with the Graphite mannequin the corporate despatched over being comprised of 26% renewed plastics.
9to5Toys’ Take
The lengthy and in need of the brand new Logitech MX Keys S is that this isn’t a completely new accent. It hasn’t been re-engineered from the bottom up or overhauled with a completely new characteristic set. Nevertheless it doesn’t need to be to nonetheless get my final seal of approval. Logitech began with one of many extra tried and true choices in the marketplace after which simply made it higher with the MX Keys S.
That is nonetheless going to be one of many go-to keyboards in the marketplace for Mac customers. Every thing from the options to the shape issue makes this an ideal resolution for MacBook Air house owners, particularly these trying to deliver house the brand new 15-inch mannequin. The black coloration scheme is a pleasant contact that improves the already Mac-friendly design usually supplied by Logitech equipment, all whereas nonetheless providing multidevice connectivity and a macOS-focused keyboard structure.
The Electrek collaborator in me additionally feels the necessity to as soon as once more chime in and point out that Logitech is taking a much more sustainable method this time round to the keyboard’s development too. That definitely counts for one thing just a little bit additional in my e book.
My principal takeaway is how stable of a worth the unique Logitech MX Keys is in comparison with the brand new S counterpart. Sitting at $98 proper now on Amazon, there’s an added $12 in financial savings that successfully rating you an identical package deal for much less.
So if you happen to’ve been desperate to get to the a part of the evaluation the place I say whether or not or not it’s price an improve over the unique, sorry to maintain you ready. In the event you’re already rocking the usual Logitech MX Keys, retaining that in your desk is definitely the precise transfer. However for everybody else, Logitech continues to ship among the finest off-the-shelf typing experiences in the marketplace that’s price a glance. It checks all of the containers after which some for me, simply justifying the Logitech MX Keys S’s $110 price ticket.
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