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Review: Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K750

updated 08:35 pm EST, Sun November 14, 2010

 

Logitech tries for infinite battery life


Logitech's K750 attempts to solve one the most basic frustrations with wireless keyboards: having to buy and charge batteries. The unit has two solar strips built in, which Logitech claims are sensitive enough to keep the keyboard running off of artificial light, and not just the sun. In our review, we'll see whether this claim holds up, and whether the K750 works as a keyboard in general.


By Electronista Staff

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computers, peripherals, keyboards, Logitech

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Previous Comments

  1. tortenteufel

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jul 2007

    -1
    11/15, 06:05am | report spam | reply

    I thought

    we agreed this is a photovoltaic keyboard....


  1. Geoduck

    Junior Member

    Joined: Jan 2010

    +1
    11/15, 08:48am | report spam | (1 reply) | reply

    Sounds good, but...

    I don't see any reason it's non ergo
    The testing was on Win7 so I assume the monitoring App logitech includes does not work on a Mac.
    $80 is rather steep, but it's a first gen. Once there are a bunch of keyboards like this on the market the price will drop to a more reasonable level.
    I'm waiting for a "solar" mouse. Sure I remember how they said it was impractical. I think there should be ways around the issues. Maybe feed power to the mouse from an enlarged area of cells on the keyboard or something.

    If they fix the mouse issue I'd consider a wireless mouse and keyboard. So far the need to feed batteries to wireless devices has been the single issue that keeps me using corded ones. If the price comes down to $40-$50 for a set I'm almost certain to go with something like this, BUT it will have to be truly Mac Compatible not 'it works except for...'.


  1. testudo

    Forum Regular

    Joined: Aug 2001

    -1
    11/15, 11:03am | report spam | reply

    Re: Sounds good, but...

    I don't see any reason it's non ergo

    Probably because ergo doesn't sell well. And, as you say, it is first generation. Why waste the time making multiple models if it fails completely?

    The testing was on Win7 so I assume the monitoring App logitech includes does not work on a Mac.

    Too large an assumption. Perhaps it was done on Win 7 because that's what the reviewer had.

    So far the need to feed batteries to wireless devices has been the single issue that keeps me using corded ones.

    Depends on the mice and keyboard you get. I have an Apple wireless mouse/keyboard for my mini, and they suck batteries so bad, I stopped using both.

    I got a semi-cheap wireless keyboard from Best Buy (rocketfish brand), and it's keyboard goes for many months without a battery issue. For a mouse, I got a logitech bluetooth. They both do a very good job not wasting batteries.

    BTW, one of the reasons so many companies skip Bluetooth for RF mice is battery drain. Bluetooth is much more power hungry than RF.


  1. mytdave

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2000

    -1
    11/15, 11:29am | report spam | reply

    cool, but

    The solar idea is cool, but it does add quite a bit of surface area to the keyboard. I still prefer Apple's wireless keyboard & mouse.

    I sometime agree with what testudo has to say cause he thinks things through instead of fanboy posting, but here I disagree - my Apple wireless keyboard goes for a good 6-months before needing a battery replacement. Of course the system it's connected to is not used constantly every single day. My Apple wireless mouse OTOH only gets around 3 months on a set of batteries, but that's still pretty darn good. Besides, I use rechargeable batteries and have two sets that I swap. This all works just fine.

    Bluetooth is RF, and it does not consume lots of power. I still don't know why companies skip it and make their own proprietary RF modules. It's really stupid actually.... Maybe they just can't figure out how to make it work right with Windows.

    I wish Apple would make an extended wireless keyboard in addition to their small one. I'd be all over that.


  1. Athens

    Addicted to MacNN

    Joined: Jan 2003

    +2
    11/15, 11:50am | report spam | reply

    Good...

    This is a good move, it needs to be paired up with a mouse that uses a recharging mouse pad and wireless power. Mouse is wireless with endless power as long as its used with the wired mouse pad.

    Side note, my experience with Apples Keyboards and mice of the last few years have been nothing but excellent for power usage. I find myself replacing the batteries every 4-5 months. I always find it odd a few complain how bad they are with power. My mom is lucky to get a month out of her logitech wireless keyboard and mouse which is RF.


  1. hayesk

    Professional Poster

    Joined: Sep 1999

    -1
    11/16, 11:45am | report spam | reply

    Why cordless?

    I understand why a cordless mouse is desirable, but your keyboard remains relatively stationary (except for a few niche uses, of course). It's not like the wire moves around, so what's the advantage of having a wireless keyboard?


  1. facebook_Scott

    Via Facebook

    Joined: Feb 2011

    0
    02/09, 04:41pm | report spam | reply

    Re: Why cordless?

    Desk clutter. If you're like me and don't like keyboard trays then the wire on the desktop is constantly getting in the way of pads of paper and other work-related things. Your work area is more efficient if you don't have to work around wires - even for stationary objects like keyboards.


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