Hi all, which one would you recommend - Logitech MX Keys for Business or the Logitech MX Mechanical (Tactile Quiet)?
Both have bolt receivers and can-do multi-device. From a pricing point of view, they seem similar too. Main use will be for home system (uni work, YouTube, email, etc), regular work and light gaming. I have smaller hands if it helps.
Thanks in advance.
I got G512 Carbon for both work and gaming.
Don't expect the keys to last. Keep a firm grasp of your receipt and hope that something breaks before the warranty is up - so you can get a replacement.
To the OP, would avoid Logitech keyboards if possible, too uncertain if any quality is there. Would go full scale/full height mechanical - with the ability to swap out individual keys if they go u/s.
I had it for two years without any issues yet but i had a similar one previously which had a software issues and Logitech replaced it promptly during the middle of covid, that was pretty good.
I had one that developed three different faults, on three different keys, after 1 year - culminating in a stuck key that kept randomly firing and meaning it had to be junked. Lesson learnt.
My experience with Logitech peripherals (k/b, mouse and webcam) have been great so far to be honest which is why I was looking at another Logitech.
To the OP, would avoid Logitech keyboards if possible, too uncertain if any quality is there. Would go full scale/full height mechanical - with the ability to swap out individual keys if they go u/s.
I had recently read that replacing the keys on the MX mechanical was very challenging (if not possible). So that was something that was also weighing in the back of my mind.
I've not had problems with Logitech other than entry level stuff sold in supermarkets, in which case you get what you pay for.
Replacing switches (the 'mechanical' bit under the keycaps) is very specialized requirement in the mechanical keyboard world. The majority of more popular mechanical keyboards are fully soldered. All Cherry switch keycaps can, however, be replaced regardless of the manufacturer of the keyboard as a whole.
The ability to replace individual switches is really a hobbist-level requirement, at best. It's not a feature that I would spend any time worrying about when selecting a keyboard, personally.
Replacing an individual switch requires far more effort than most people would typically want to spend and, for what it's worth, I've never seen a mechanical switch fail that hasn't had fluid spilled on it anyhow.
I have never seen a mechanical switch fail that hasn't had fluid spilled on it anyhow.
You will with this keyboard. Three keys, three different faults. Not seen the like of it with any other keyboard.
Replacing an individual switch requires far more effort than most people would typically want to spend
Less than a minute to pull the keycap, pull the switch, and then plug a new switch and the old keycap. Lego toys take more effort - and the point is that if you have any failed switches, you don't have to junk the entire keyboard. The one I have now came with three spare switches in the box.
MX Keys is a membrane, laptop-style keyboard. It's extra low profile and completely silent. The keys have a really clean return with about a millimeter of travel and the whole thing just feels solid. I've had more than one person tell me that it's the best keyboard they've ever owned. The threads around here are glowing in their praise, generally. It's a typist's keyboard, and fantastic for offices. I own two.
MX Mechanical is, at the end of the day, "silent" or not, a mechanical keyboard. There's significantly more travel in the keys (3mm) and the keys do still have the clunk noise of the plastic keycap hitting the bottom. This would probably be improved with installing rubber rings (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/313789642507 ) but you'd have to do this yourself.
The Mechanical will probably feel better for gaming, particularly something a bit physical like a doom-style 3D shooter or platforming, but that's about it, for typing MX Keys craps all over it.
Thanks for your response. Game time will be a low actually since other things will take priority.
MX Mechanical is, at the end of the day, "silent" or not, a mechanical keyboard. There's significantly more travel in the keys (3mm) and the keys do still have the clunk noise of the plastic keycap hitting the bottom. This would probably be improved with installing rubber rings (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/313789642507 ) but you'd have to do this yourself.
Wow, that's a lot of effort to dampen the noise. Atleast the option is there - so thanks for that.
So it looks like the Keys is the better choice here.
I've done the ring thing before and looks more fiddly than it is. It probably takes about 45 mins to pull each keycap off, stick the ring under it, then put the keycap back on.
It definitely dampens the noise, and can also reduce travel in the keys (both good things in my view), but either way the rings are cheap and you can make a decision after playing around with the keyboard for a bit.
I own prevous MX Keys on the Unifying receiver, as well as the MX Mechanical on the Bolt. I use the Mechanical as the Bolt works with my mouse as well, so it is more convenient - and I am more partial to using a mechanical keyboard in general. It's at home, so I don't need to worry about bothering other people.
Thanks for your response. I plan to use it at home itself as I do WFH a lot so disturbing other people is definitely less of a concern :)
I recently purchased the Lift Vertical mouse and that's when I realised the receivers are different. So this keyboard is more around convenience as the last k/b I purchased was around four years ago.
Keys feels like typing on a laptop (maybe a MacBook) where as Mechanical feels like a real keyboard. Depends if you like tactile or not!
It is literally just down to personal preference. It's like asking if you should buy a red car or a blue car.
First keyboard is low-travel membrane. It'll feel very slightly mushier and be quieter than the second board.
Hand size… totally irrelevant as keycap sizing and spacing is totally standardised across everything except for a tiny percentage of novelty boards.
Using it a home and not an office where the slight additional sound of the mech board (silenced or not) doesn't factor in at all? Choose whatever you like the look and feel of.
Thanks for your response. I did briefly test both out at JB but had to leave quickly so there no time to test it properly. Will check it out again. Have always used membrane based keys (currently have the MK850 for about four years now and love it) so the mechanical will be very new too and was not sure about putting so much coin into something I have never tried before.
I detest cheap membrane keyboards (and by cheap, I mean anything under USD200!). My wife hates fancy mech boards and goes out of her way to buy the cheapest, shittiest membrane keyboards around (Dell, the ones that usually come free with their PCs).
She types faster than me.
Moral of the story, get what you want and don't care what anybody else says.
I standardised my office with MX Keys for 6 staff and found they only last 1.5 - 2years before the keys start making sticky noises while typing.
I have the same dilemma. Following