PC World - USA (2019-11)

NOVEMBER 2019 PCWorld 67

DESIGN
The MX Keys is built on a single metal plate,
giving it a durability that would seem to make
it an ideal mobile accessory. You’ll think twice
about tossing it in your gear bag, though,
once you feel the full weight of its nearly 1.8
pounds. The keyboard is actually best suited
for your desktop, where its heft keeps it from
shifting and sliding under typing force.
The full-size keyboard (16 x 5.18 x 0.8
inches) replicates the layout of the luxurious
Logitech Craft (go.pcworld.com/lgcr), with
alphanumeric keys, a number pad, and a
dozen function keys that double as
multimedia controls. These last can be “set”
to either function or media by pressing
Fn+Esc, so you never need to hold the Fn key.
MX Keys is also outfitted with proximity
sensors, so the keys illuminate when your
hands approach the keyboard and fade when
you move them away. This backlighting turns
off automatically when the battery falls below
10 percent charge. At the same time, a battery
indicator above the number pad will glow red
and you’ll receive an onscreen notification.
Logitech says the battery should last about 10

days with backlighting always on, and a

generous 5 months with it off. A pair of

dedicated buttons gives you manual control

over several levels of illumination, so it should

be easy to find a sweet spot between those

extremes.

CONNECTIVITY

Both the MX Keys and the MX Master 3

mouse connect your computer via the

Logitech Unifying Receiver. Just plug this

dongle into a free USB-A port on your PC or

Mac, and the computer should recognize the

keyboard instantly.

You can connect up to three devices via

the Unifying Receiver or Bluetooth. For the

latter you press one of the Easy Switch

buttons until its LED blinks to indicate it’s in

pairing mode. Then find and select MX Keys

from the list of available Bluetooth devices on

the laptop, tablet, or phone you’re trying to

connect. You’re asked to enter a numerical

code on the keyboard and press the Easy

Switch button again to complete the pairing.

Once multiple devices are paired with the

keyboard, you can switch among them by

The MX Keys keyboard is roomy and comfortable to use.