The Logitech MX Keys Mini: A Compact Keyboard with Big Ambitions
Logitech’s MX Keys Mini is a bold statement in the world of compact keyboards. It offers the connectivity and features of its larger sibling, the MX Keys, in a smaller, more portable package. While the MX Keys Mini boasts sleek design and innovative features, its high price tag and some quirks might leave you wondering if it’s truly worth the investment. This in-depth review will explore its design, performance, and features, dissecting its strengths and weaknesses to help you decide if the MX Keys Mini is the right fit for your needs.
Logitech MX Keys Mini Design: Compact and Stylish
The Logitech MX Keys Mini, available in Rose, Graphite, and Pale Gray finishes, shares a similar design language with its larger counterpart. The Mini’s primary allure lies in its compact size. Weighing in at a manageable 504g, it’s notably lighter and smaller than the original MX Keys, making it a perfect travel companion. The keyboard’s solid feel ensures stability while typing, defying its diminutive form factor.
Logitech also emphasizes its commitment to sustainability by incorporating post-consumer recycled plastic in the construction of the MX Keys Mini. This eco-conscious approach aligns with growing consumer awareness of environmental responsibility.
The concave keycaps, a trademark of the MX Keys line, provide a comfortable typing experience. The well-defined depressions on each keycap enhance finger placement, ensuring swift and accurate typing, especially for long typing sessions.
The proximity sensors built into the keyboard are a novel touch, illuminating the keys only when fingers approach, conserving battery life. However, this feature can be somewhat unreliable, as the backlight doesn’t always adjust quickly enough, especially in well-lit environments. This can lead to the backlight staying on even when not needed, impacting visibility and battery life. Manual brightness adjustments are available, offering seven levels of control, but the keyboard does not retain the last brightness setting, requiring users to readjust each time the keyboard is switched on.
Logitech MX Keys Mini Performance: A Joy to Type
The Logitech MX Keys Mini employs the same scissor-switch technology as its bigger counterpart, ensuring a pleasing typing experience. The keys offer a satisfyingly tactile feedback and a gentle, clicky sound that’s not overly loud. The responsiveness is excellent, with minimal force needed to register keystrokes, regardless of where you press on the key. The keyboard’s sturdy frame, constructed with a metal top and plastic bottom, is resistant to flex, providing a stable and reassuring typing platform.
The MX Keys Mini features three new function keys: a Dictation key for voice-to-text input, an Emoji key for quick emoji selection, and a Mute key for muting and unmuting the microphone. Additionally, a Screenshot key streamlines the screenshot process, significantly reducing the key combinations required on most systems, especially Mac.
The keyboard boasts Easy Switch, a seamless multi-device switching feature. This allows you to connect to up to three devices simultaneously, switching between them with the F1, F2, or F3 keys. The Easy Switch function works flawlessly across a range of devices, including MacBooks, Windows laptops, and iPhones.
Logitech also brings Flow, a key feature of the MX Keys, to the Mini. This allows you to copy and paste files between different devices (Windows and macOS) with ease, simply by moving your mouse between them. However, Flow requires the Logi Options app to be installed on each device.
Logitech MX Keys Mini Functionality: A Blend of User-Friendliness and Limitations
The MX Keys Mini’s functionalities extend beyond basic typing. The companion Logi Options app offers a wealth of customization options for the keyboard. You can assign specific applications to the F4-F12 keys, Ins, and Del keys for quick launching. However, doing so removes the preassigned functionality of these keys.
The app also allows you to bind different programs to open automatically when you switch between apps. For instance, you could program the F4 key to open the calculator app when using Microsoft Excel and Twitter when using Safari. However, the app lacks the ability to create key combinations or macros, which would benefit creators and power users who rely heavily on keyboard shortcuts.
While the app provides a battery status indicator, it does not display the exact percentage remaining, relying on a three-notch battery level icon. This limited feedback could leave users uncertain about their remaining battery life.
Logitech MX Keys Mini Battery: Long-Lasting Power
The Logitech MX Keys Mini can be charged via its USB Type-C port. While the keyboard is functional during charging, full charging takes a considerable amount of time, approximately three hours with a 30W smartphone charger. The battery life, however, is impressive, particularly if you minimize the use of the backlight. With the backlight on, the MX Keys Mini can last an impressive ten days with 8-10 hours of daily use. Logitech claims that with the backlight switched off, the MX Keys Mini can last up to five months on a single charge.
Logitech MX Keys Mini: A Worthy Investment?
The Logitech MX Keys Mini excels as a compact and stylish keyboard with a comfortable typing experience. It boasts a multitude of features, including impressive multi-device switching, Flow functionality, and customizability through the Logi Options app. However, its high price tag, inconsistent backlight adjustments, and lack of macro support may be dealbreakers for some users.
The MX Keys Mini is a solid choice for creators and professionals who need a portable keyboard with advanced functionality for multi-device workflows. Its sleek design and comfortable typing experience make it ideal for travel and work on the go. However, for those seeking a budget-friendly Bluetooth keyboard with basic functionality, there are more affordable options available in the market.
Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons:
Pros:
- Solid build quality
- Excellent typing experience
- Comfortable, concave keycaps
- Long battery life
- Easy Switch lets you connect to multiple systems
- Flow lets you copy and paste files across systems
- New Emoji, Dictation, and Mic keys are useful
- Customizable through the Logi Options app
- Compact design makes it perfect for travel
Cons:
- High price point
- Backlight intensity does not change as intended
- No macro support
- Long charging time
Overall Rating:
While the Logitech MX Keys Mini offers a plethora of features and a comfortable typing experience, its high price and some design flaws, like the inconsistent backlight adjustments, dampen its appeal for all users. If you’re looking for a compact keyboard brimming with features, the MX Keys Mini is worth considering. But if price is a key factor or you don’t need its advanced functionalities, you can find more affordable and perhaps even more practical options available.
