Logitech Keyboard For Mac

Jun 12, 2019  Logitech is primarily a peripherals manufacturer for Windows PCs but they are not giving up on the world of Mac and Apple devices. The Logitech Easy-Switch K811 is the best Mac keyboard you will ever need if you have already invested heavily into Apple’s ecosystem of devices.

Apple designed a Smart Keyboard Folio for the 11- and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models, but while it's super slim, it's also expensive and with flat keys that some iPad users might not like.
  • Connect the Windows PC keyboard to the Mac as usual, either by USB or Bluetooth. Pull down the  Apple menu and choose “System Preferences”. Click on “Keyboard”. Choose the “Keyboard” tab and then click on the “Modifier Keys” button in the lower right corner of the preference panel.
  • Light-powered keyboard. It doesn’t get easier than this. The light-powered keyboard works where you do—your house, your office, your hotel room. It charges itself with lamplight or sunlight, indoors or outdoors. And on a full charge it works for at least three months—even in total darkness. Which means that you can say good-bye to battery hassles.
  • Keystrokes are somewhat quieter than many keyboards that provide for a more discreet typing experience. Logitech Keyboard K360 Hero Software Specification. Logitech K360 Hero has specifications as follows: The K360 wireless Computer Keyboard is 20 Percent smaller than a Full-Size keyboard but provides All of the Performance of its Bigger counterpart.

Luckily, third-party companies like Zagg and Logitech have come out with some alternate ‌iPad Pro‌ keyboards, and in today's video, we're comparing the ‌Smart Keyboard‌ Folio from Apple to two popular alternatives - the Slim Folio Pro from Logitech and the Slim Book Go from Zagg.
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We tested keyboards for the 12.9-inch ‌iPad Pro‌, but both Logitech and Zagg make variants for both ‌iPad Pro‌ models. Zagg's Slim Book Go is priced at $99 for the 11-inch model and $130 for the 12.9-inch model, while the Slim Folio Pro from Logitech is priced at $120 for the 11-inch model and $130 for the 12.9-inch model.
Both third-party keyboard options are cheaper than the ‌Smart Keyboard‌ Folio from Apple, which costs $179 for the 11-inch iPad Pro and $199 for the 12.9-inch model, so you can save a decent amount of cash with a third-party option.
Apple's ‌Smart Keyboard‌ Folio is super slim and adds a minimal amount of bulk to the ‌iPad Pro‌, and that thin profile is a feature that Logitech and Zagg haven't been able to match. The Slim Folio Pro and the Slim Book Go both add a considerable amount of bulk to the ‌iPad Pro‌, doubling the weight of the device and making it a good deal thicker.
Zagg Slim Book Go

Of the two, the Slim Book Go from Zagg is the heftier model, but both are pretty bulky. If you're someone who prefers a device without a thick case on it, these keyboards may not be for you. There are, however, some benefits to these cases beyond price, such as the feel of the keyboard.
The ‌Smart Keyboard‌ Folio from Apple has flat, fabric covered keys that have little travel and don't feel much like a standard keyboard. Zagg and Logitech's solutions, though, are thicker and thus accommodate keys with more travel, a more satisfying press, and just a better overall feel.
The Slim Book Go from Zagg is designed to protect the entire ‌iPad Pro‌, providing solid drop protection. The case itself is made from a hard plastic, while the keyboard has a cloth feel on the front and felt material surrounding the keys.
Zagg Slim Book Go

You can detach the keyboard cover from the case if you want, leaving just the case itself on the ‌iPad‌. Zagg left a lot of space at the bottom of the keyboard on the Slim Book Go, so it's comfortable to rest your wrists, but when using it on your lap, it's wobbly.
That's not a problem in a situation where you're using it on a desk, and with the adjustable stand there are multiple viewing angles, something you don't get with Logitech's version. The keyboard is pleasant to type on, but there's no backlighting for the keys. It's not clear why, but there's no sleep/wake function in the cover, so shutting it won't turn off your ‌iPad‌. Multi-device support is included, something not available in the Slim Folio Pro.
Logitech Slim Folio Pro

Logitech Keyboard For Mac Os X


Logitech's Slim Folio Pro, unlike the Slim Book Go, is all one piece without a detachable keyboard option. It has a thick rubber frame that protects the ‌iPad‌, and a single viewing angle for using while typing.
The Slim Folio Pro and the Slim Book Go both offer a better typing experience than the ‌Smart Keyboard‌ Folio for those who like more traditional keys, but we preferred the feel of the Slim Book Go a bit more because the keys have more travel and a more satisfying click. On the plus side, it's a bit less bulky and not as heavy, and it has backlit keys, a nice bonus feature.
Logitech Slim Folio Pro

Both the Slim Book Go and the Slim Folio Pro connect to the ‌iPad Pro‌ using Bluetooth, making the ‌Smart Keyboard‌ Folio the only keyboard accessory that uses the Smart Connector on the new ‌iPad Pro‌ models. Bluetooth isn't as convenient as the ‌Smart Connector‌, but these keyboards don't need to be charged often and when they do, you can use USB-C.
So which should you choose? If you hate bulk, get the ‌Smart Keyboard‌ Folio or plan to remove these keyboard cases when not in use, something that can be a hassle.
If you want the best typing experience that's closest to a laptop and don't mind the thickness, choose the Zagg, but if you want something a bit slimmer with backlighting and more stability for on-lap use, choose the Logitech (and make sure to check out our full review). You can, of course, choose none of the above and opt for a much cheaper standalone Bluetooth keyboard.
Which ‌iPad Pro‌ keyboard do you prefer? Apple's, Logitech's, Zagg's, or something else? Let us know in the comments.
Related Roundup: iPad Pro
Buyer's Guide: 11' iPad Pro (Caution), 12.9' iPad Pro (Caution)
Last month, Logitech released the CRAFT, a wireless 'Advanced Keyboard' complete with a creative input dial for controlling customizable, app-specific functions. I've been testing one out over the last few weeks to see if the company's latest Mac/PC accessory can live up to its $200 price tag.

Design


At 960 grams (2.1 pounds), the full-size CRAFT Advanced Keyboard felt heavy against my daily workhorse, Logitech's compact K810. The extra space it took up on my desk was immediately noticeable, but on the upside it instills the CRAFT with a premium feel and there's absolutely no chance of it sliding about as you type or turn the dial.
The keys aren't any wider apart than you would expect of a typical full-size keyboard, but that does take a little getting used to if you're coming to it from the K810 or a 13-inch 2015 MacBook Pro keyboard. Just something to think about.
The CRAFT, top, compared to Logitech's K810 keyboard ($99)

The CRAFT features smart illumination, with backlighting that detects hands and adjusts automatically based on room lighting conditions. The backlighting bleeds around the edges of the keys, which is something to note if that is likely to bother you. There are also proprietary buttons above the insert/home/page up keys that let you dynamically switch between any three connected devices.
Standard Mac system controls are clearly labeled along the top row of function keys, but are numbered slightly differently due to an additional 'Show Desktop' function (F5). Helpfully, the modifier keys are labeled with both Mac and Windows commands.
Along the right-hand side of the keyboard's rear edge is a power switch and a USB-C port for connecting the supplied USB-C to USB-A cable, which charges the integrated 1,500mAh battery. The LED on the top-right of the raised aluminum strip glows blue when it has a decent charge, and red when the battery is low.
Meanwhile, the dial or 'Crown' sits on the opposite end of the aluminum strip and is touch sensitive, so you can tap or turn it to adjust particular settings depending on the application.
Included in the box is a small USB Unifying receiver that uses 2.4GHz wireless technology to provide a connection up to 33 feet (10 meters) away. It's capable of connecting up to six keyboards and mice to one computer, so from that perspective it's a useful inclusion if you have any existing wireless Logitech accessories. Otherwise it just takes up another USB port. Fortunately, you can pair over Bluetooth instead, which is what I set out to do straight out of the box.

Performance


Unfortunately, my initial attempts at pairing the CRAFT failed. The keyboard kept disappearing from the Devices list in Bluetooth preferences before I was able to input the pairing code. After replicating the behavior on several other devices, I concluded that the keyboard was faulty and resorted to using the Unifying USB receiver until Logitech could get a replacement unit sent out to me.
The second keyboard I received paired over Bluetooth without a hitch. The backlight on the first pairing key pulsated as I connected the CRAFT to my MacBook Pro. Later I added an iPad mini 4 and an iPhone X to the mix, and was able to switch seamlessly between the three of them by tapping pairing keys 1, 2, or 3.
One of the first things I noticed after just a few minutes of typing on the CRAFT was the location and size of the Enter key: I can't tell you how many times my little finger has missed and accidentally hit the key directly above it (') .
As a UK user familiar with ISO-style keyboard layouts, my muscle memory continually expects Enter to extend vertically across two rows in an inverted L-shape, as it does on the UK versions of the K810 and the MacBook Pro, as well as on Apple's Magic Keyboards. The CRAFT is available only in an ANSI layout that will be familiar to US users, so it's something to consider if you're used to an ISO keyboard. Even now I will sometimes hit the wrong key.
The CRAFT's key travel is very reminiscent of pre-butterfly era MacBook Pro keys, which many users will undoubtedly welcome. The keycaps themselves have a shallow concave depression, which also feels nice to the touch. The keys are certainly closer together than on my MacBook Pro which takes some adjustment, but in my experience, finger fatigue isn't an issue with the CRAFT, and the angle of the keyboard feels just right for use on a computer desk. The hand proximity sensors also do a great job of illuminating the layout before you start typing, so you're never squinting in the dark for the correct key.
The Crown's functionality can be adjusted using the Logitech Options software utility, which has custom profiles for Adobe Photoshop CC, Adobe Illustrator CC, Adobe Premiere Pro CC, and Adobe InDesign CC. Profiles for Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel and Word currently only work on PC, according to Logitech.
Tapping the dial brings up an onscreen menu overlay offering functions specific to that app, like brush size, brightness, chart type, font size, and so on. Turning the Crown moves you through the menu, clicking it selects the appropriate tool, and turning it again adjusts the value or setting. After playing with it for a few hours, using it this way soon became second nature.
Additionally, the touch-sensitive Crown can be set up to access a variety of global Mac controls, so you can use it do things like activate screen zoom, navigate between apps, adjust brightness, or even assign to it a particular shortcut key combination.
It's also possible to assign Crown functions to each of your favorite apps, but after a bit of fiddling I found that I preferred to keep the controls global, so that turning the dial switched desktops, pressing it took the current app fullscreen, and pressing then turning changed the system volume. Using the Crown this way turned out to be a convenient method of performing these functions without having to look down at the keyboard, and made up for the fact that my MacBook Pro's trackpad is perennially out of reach on a raised stand. Keyboard
Apart from assigning Crown controls, the Logitech utility also very usefully lets you remap function keys. For example, I never use the macOS Launchpad, which can be invoked using F4, so I re-assigned the key to display the Notifications sidebar instead.

Bottom Line


I found Logitech's wireless CRAFT advanced keyboard to be a solid, well-built peripheral that is comfortable in daily use – even despite my Enter key issues. I would have liked a longer battery life – for me it averaged about 8 days – but this isn't sold as a portable keyboard and anyway, you get plenty of warning before it completely runs out of juice.
Logitech Keyboard For MacAs for the Crown, I found it intuitive and easy to get to grips with, requiring little thought when used to adjust system controls and only a gentle learning curve when working within Adobe apps.
That said, if you're a professional who spends a lot of time in a more niche creative application, you may run into trouble. The CRAFT's software support is still wanting on Mac, but that's something Logitech hopes to address soon.
My only real gripe is the price. $200 – or £180 in the UK – is a lot to pay for a wireless keyboard, dial or no dial. In my opinion, $150 would have been a more reasonable ask, given the current state of the CRAFT's software compatibility.
Pros
  • Customizable dial and function keys
  • Comfortable to use
  • Pairs with up to 3 devices

Cons
  • Battery life could be better
  • Lack of app support
  • Expensive

How to Buy


The Logitech CRAFT Wireless Advanced Keyboard costs $199.99 and can be ordered directly from the company's website.

Logitech Keyboard For Macs


Note: Logitech supplied the CRAFT Keyboard to MacRumors for the purposes of this review. No other compensation was received.

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