Swiss MX Keys S assessment: Great browsing feel and feature packed

The Logitech S MX Keys is a powerful keyboard, which is something that most keyboards cannot say.
The Logitech’s MX Keys is impressive, and it is one of the few third-party Mac keyboards which can compete with Apple’s Magic Keyboard. The Logitech’s MX Keys has a responsive feel that I find superior to Apple’s Magic Keyboard. It also has features that improve the quality of life, which are absent from Apple’s Magic Keyboard. Logitech offers a range keyboards that have the Mac’s specific modifier keys layout. This keyboard has the control, command and option keys on both sides, unlike some “full size” keyboards. Many different ways can be customized, and function keys are now given useful new tasks. F5 to F7 keys can now be used to mute or un-mute internal microphones, launch emoji selectors, and launch dictation. I’ve always preferred Logitech keyboards to Apple’s. I loved the feel of Logitech’s K750 Mac solar keyboard for years. After using the K750 keyboard for years, it’s no surprise that I like the MX Keys. Logitech MX Keys S Review: The Typing Experience The Logitech MX Keys S offers many unique features that I will discuss next. All the features won’t matter if the keyboard doesn’t feel comfortable. The Logitech S MX Keys comes in packaging that is free of plastic. Not everyone has the same taste when it comes to keyboards. Apple’s Magic Keyboard is a nice keyboard, but it’s not my favorite. I’ve used mechanical keyboards such as the Keycrhon HE which I reviewed previously and liked for its customizable, responsive feeling. Mechanical keys are supposed make typing easier. However, they cause my fingers to get tired after a while. The Keychron HE did tire my fingers, but not as much as mechanical keys with a nonadjustable response. The Logitech MX keys S is not a mechanical keypad, but a mechanical one is part of the MX range. The Logitech MX Keys S feels much better than the Apple Magic Keyboard and my beloved K750 Mac. Some high-speed typers, like myself, prefer the rounded edges of the keys. The beveled edges allow fingers to easily slide from key to key. The MX Keys S keys are matte, unlike Apple’s slippery keyboard keys. The friction on the key provides tactical feedback so I know when my finger touches a particular key. The matte finish on each key and the deep finger wells keep my fingers centered while the fileted edges let me slide between keys. The thick top edge has a single power light. On the rear, there is a USB C port for charging or non-wireless usage. The top edge has a more significant function, which is revealed when the keyboard’s back is turned. The MX Keys S is raised and slants down at the back for a comfortable keyboarding experience. The bumper that raises keyboard is attached to the top edge and I suspect also houses the rechargeable battery. Some people hate a keyboard that is raised at an angled position. I prefer typing at an angle, so much so that I 3D-printed a foot to slant the Apple keyboard the way I want it. Logitech MX Keys S Review: The Missing Feature The only thing Apple offers as a keyboard that is missing from the Logitech MX Keys S, is the Touch ID Sensor found on the Apple Magic Keyboard Touch ID. The Logitech MX Keys’ S is missing the Touch ID sensor. This is not Logitech’s mistake. Apple is unlikely to ever allow third-party companies to use biometric authentication. Apple Magic Keyboards with Touch ID are more expensive than standard Apple Magic Keyboards. The absence of a fingerprint scanner is only a problem if you rely on Touch ID to authenticate your device. I use Touch ID a lot, mainly to log in to websites. Recently, I have been using the Arc web browser, which is built on Chromium, and uses Chrome extensions. The 1Password Extension makes logging in to many websites a no-click experience. With 1Password integrated so well into my browser, Touch ID is becoming less and less useful. I love the Logitech MX Keys S, so much so that I will probably accept the inconvenience of Touch ID on my Mac, where I do the majority of my writing. Logitech MX Keys S Review: Smart Illumination & Battery Life The MX Keys S features proximity sensors that detect hands approaching the keys and trigger the backlight. The keys are illuminated according to ambient lighting, since backlighting is an energy-intensive feature. The light sensors prevent the keys from being illuminated in a bright space and prevent blindingly high lights when used in dark rooms. Sensors on the keyboard detect the user’s hands approaching it. The backlighting is then turned on to allow typing, and off when the user moves away. The software allows you to customize the brightness and duration. It’s simple to set up a keyboard with super-bright keys which fade away slowly when your hands are moved. The automation of backlighting is especially important for wireless keyboards. Logitech claims that the keyboard can run for 10 hours with the backlighting turned on. It claims that without backlighting, the device will last five months. This is a big difference. Logitech MX Keys review: Mac layout with tons of features Logitech offers a wide variety of Mac-specific keyboards. The MX Keys S has the same layout as the Magic Keyboard, but it also offers some unique features that are associated with keys that are usually unused. The Logitech Magic Keyboard and the Logitech MX Keys (above and below).The F5 has been remapped for dictation. F6 launches the menu of emojis. And F7 mutes or unmutes your microphone. This key was particularly useful in recent conference calls. Zoom’s mute button is a slow process that takes several seconds to click. With a dedicated key, you can do it much faster. The Logitech Keys S uses the F13 to F15 buttons, which are usually unused on keyboards, to switch between up to three devices. I have set up the keyboard to work with a Mac Studio, MacBook air, and iPad. The keyboard can switch between these devices with a simple button press. Logitech’s innovation doesn’t end with the F15 key. Logi Options+ is a free program from Logitech that allows keyboard customization. The F17 key can be used to capture a screen when the Options+ software is running. You can use the F18 key to launch Spotlight. The F19 button toggles the Do Not Disturb feature to block out distractions. Logitech MX Keys review: The power automation Logitech Options+ software is an automation and customization tool that works with all Logitech products. I’ve used it for years to automate my Logitech MX Master Mouse, and it has become a crucial part of my video-editing process. Options+ allows deep customization of Logitech products. With the MX Keys, Options+ enables macros, which Logitech refers to as Smart Actions. Options+ provides a number of starter Smart Actions for you to get started. There is a Smart Action to launch all your work apps when you start your day. Another action prepares you for a Zoom meeting by bringing up the Zoom app, launching Notes and setting your Mac on do not disturb. Nearly three dozen Smart Actions are available as samples. It is easy to create actions by selecting triggers and actions. The interface is almost identical to that of IFTTT and Zapier, so automation enthusiasts will be comfortable with it. The Options+ app allows text to be copied and pasted between computers. I haven’t tried it. Apple products are able to do this using Universal Clipboard. However, the Logitech version is able to copy and paste between Windows and Mac computers. Options+ offers a dubious AI tool called Prompt Builder. You can use Prompt Builder to make small queries, and then create changes based on the text you have selected. While copying text from a website to summarize it sounds convenient, this is unlikely to be used. This is especially true when so many apps have AI tools. Logitech MX Keys review: Solid keyboard packed with features. People are very particular when it comes to keyboards. What feels great to one individual can feel awful to another. The Logitech MX Keys S goes well with other Logitech accessories. It does not require you to type with force like a mechanical keypad and it is not soft like Apple’s Magic Keyboard. I’ve used Logitech keyboards since the early 90s and have a fondness for their feel. MX Keys is an improvement on previous designs, even as a longtime Logitech customer. This keyboard is better than most because of the features it has. I’m a huge fan of automation and smart keyboard programming makes it easy to complete tasks. The Options+ app controls the Logitech ecosystem. It allows you to control the features and functions of keyboards and mice. It would be difficult to find a keyboard that offers more than the Logitech MX Keys. Logitech MX Keys review: Pros Solid feeling when typing
There are many features
Easy-to-use software for customization and automation
Switching computers with a single touch
Logitech MX Keys Review: Pros No Touch ID
Battery life is limited when backlighting is on
Logitech’s MX Keys is available in black or white, and both versions cost $110. Amazon sells the Logitech MX Keys S