In recent years, mechanical keyboards have regained the hearts of nerds. After the trend became a niche, companies like Logitech took notice and are now bringing the revival of mechanical keyboards to the masses: die MX Mechanical.
Since I’m more of a late adopter, it took me a while to get it MX Mechanical Wanted to look at keyboards from Logitech. As a friend of minimalism and sometimes a “a few things were better back in the day” thinker, I wanted to find out what these clattering mechanical keyboards are all about. Here’s my honest opinion on it MX Mechanical – even if I get to keep the keyboards (disclaimer and all).
MX Mechanical feat. MX Master 3S (Pressebild Logitech)
I’ll keep it short: Logitech has got it, the keyboard comes as sustainably as possible, packaged in tissue paper and FSC cardboard. Well done. A quick guide is printed right on the inside of the box. But everything looks valuable and elegant.
Also the MX Mechanical comes with two options for connecting: either via Bluetooth (Low Energy 5.0) or with the proprietary wireless dongle Logi-Bolt (replaces Unifying and is not compatible). Unfortunately, the dongle only comes in old USB-A/3.0, and the charging cable is also USB-C (keyboard) to USB-A/3.0 (charger). Personally, I am a fan of the proprietary wireless connection, as it is also there if the computer has not yet loaded Bluetooth drivers when booting (practical if you need to go into recovery mode on a Mac, for example).
Especially when it comes to the mouse, I think that in my style as a designer I can feel a difference in latency compared to Bluetooth. Maybe it’s more the stability of the connection that convinces me. Anyway, it’s cool that Logitech is still sticking to the wireless connection. The new Logi-Bolt standard is also said to be more secure overall because, according to the manufacturer, it supports Bluetooth Low Energy Security Mode 1 at Security Level 4. I have no idea what exactly that is, but it sounds like a save. In addition, up to 6 compatible wireless keyboards and mice can be connected via a bolt adapter. Whoever needs such a setup (squids?): it works!
To the full extent of the MX Mechanical To use the keyboard, download the beautifully designed Logi Options+ program. All functions of the keyboard can be easily set up and any firmware updates can be loaded:
Battery stand / Read connection typeKeys: customizable special functions (use actions and macros)Backlight on/off, set backlight effects (static, contrast, breathing effect, waves, reaction/lighting up of pressed keys, random)Easy-Swich: up to 3 pairable computers that can be controlled directly using the corresponding buttons. Various Settings (Update firmware, use F1, F2 etc as standard function keys, always use keyboard in Mac layout, energy saving mode, etc)
Die MX Mechanical is first of all a so-called low-profile keyboard. This means that it doesn’t take up as much space in height as conventional mechanical keyboards, but is comparatively very flat.
The Tactile Quiet Switch in brown. However, the switch is stuck and cannot be replaced
Die MX Mechanical is available with three different switch types: Tactile Quiet (brown, my current model), Linear (red) and Clicky (blue). The type of switch I’m testing here is apparently called Kailh Choc V2 Brown, in case a nerd got lost here (there’s a good chance). According to the manufacturer, the stroke is 3.2 millimeters, the signal point is 1.3 millimeters (which sometimes feels a bit too early but has the advantage that you don’t have to press the button all the way down).
The difference to conventional keyboards, which work with membranes, is this MX Mechanical equipped with these switches/switches. The Tactile Quiet keys on my test model are certainly not quiet; the name is rather misleading. If you’re thinking about getting a mechanical keyboard, you should be aware that these things simply make more noise. This can disturb others in the office. But even if you write a lot and want to listen to music: it gets louder! But: you feel a little like Hemingway when you write. Or a Donna Leon.
Here is a shot of the MX Mechanical with the brown ones Tactile Quiet Switches (You can listen to the other switches on the Logitech website, see the link at the end of the article):
In comparison, the recording of the MX Keys:
It should be mentioned that I type with the Adler+ system and do not know the ten-finger system. And also bring a lot of force to the keys. Not pretty, but that’s just how it is.
I have been using the “MX Keys” membrane model (test report) since it was available for purchase and I think it’s great. I previously used the original Apple keyboard via cable and found the change to be wonderful. Only the arrow keys are a bit close together, which still bothers me today (as a designer, I often use them to move things around with pixel precision).
MX Mechanical vs MX Keys
Die MX Mechanical I’ve been using it daily for a little over 2 months now. As an interaction designer and as a prolific writer (who can’t use the 10-finger system yet, yeah yeah). The first impression was: ugh, that feels very plastic and loud. I needed some time to get used to the position of my hands, my fingers – I had to adjust everything. I soon noticed that typing becomes much more comfortable if you tilt the keyboard at an angle of 8° using the two feet (the feet are labeled 8°, nice detail).
Small but practical detail: foldable and rubberized 8° feet
So I rattled through emails, Confluence pages, messages, Excel, dummy texts in the design and pushed pixels around. In between I switched back to the MX keys because the new mechanical one somehow felt more laborious.
But step by step I soon only used them MX Mechanical and fell in love with the new clatter. In the home office. I don’t think my dear employees would have been so fond of it. But I got more and more used to it. And I knew: one day I will write this review and the readers will probably only want to know one thing from me in conclusion: MX Keys or MX Mechanical? Who wins?
But it’s still too early to draw a conclusion, I still have two goodies: firstly, the MX Mechanical is also available as a “Mini”: the number pad and a few extra buttons on the right are simply missing. But it is beautifully minimalistic and ideal for those who often put the keyboard in their backpack.
The MX Mechanical Mini and the MX Mechanical in comparison
Secondly: in addition to the keyboards, Logitech also sent me a small update to the MX Master 3 mouse: namely the MX Master 3S Mouse. Differences: the keys (almost) no longer click and have become silent (which is funny in connection with the MX Mechanical, which became noisier). It also now has an 8K DPI sensor (previously 4K DPI). I didn’t notice any difference, but maybe just because the previous model was already great.
The MX Master 3S – a gray mouse that keeps its mouth shut. Also available in the color graphite aka anthracite
I’ve been using Logitech’s MX Master series for my mice for years. I actually believe that there is no better mouse for designers (or anyone else).
What I immediately noticed: the mouse clicks are audibly gone! Here, too, I needed some time to get used to it because my brain first had to process the fact that the clicking was (almost) gone. However, the keys are so cleverly designed that they provide haptic feedback to the fingers. Meanwhile, I love the new quiet mouse. Certainly not a must-have if you have the MX Master 3. But for all those who don’t have an MX Master mouse yet: get it MX Master 3Sit is worth the money (CHF 139).
Retro-Feeling meets Hightech
Let’s get to the part that scared me the most: I have to tell you which keyboard is better. Or? Is it the MX Keys or that MX Mechanical? Even if it’s like comparing apples and oranges: at the moment I really only use them MX Mechanical and will continue to use them. Why?
The keys on the MX Keys also have a bulge on the surface so that the fingers can feel where the middle is. Only the bulge doesn’t go all the way to the edge, but is more of a circular shape within a square.
At the MX Mechanical The whole key bulges inwards, which also feels a little more. This feels safer for me when typing. And because the keys are raised and not flat, you can feel the spaces between the keys better. Even if the layout is identically close to each other. What I don’t like is the deep space around the arrow keys. My fingers are always wobbling in fear of the deep abyss (approx. 8mm) down to the cold aluminum housing.
Dangerous for finger falls: the deep space around the arrow keys
Overall, the MX Mechanical is a successful low-profile mechanical keyboard that is suitable for the masses and is manufactured in premium quality and can be configured with great software. If you want to make it clatter while writing, you definitely won’t go wrong with the MX Mechanical and you’ll get a premium product.
The design, high-quality workmanship, rattles like before, I really enjoy writing with it. Clever lighting of the keys. Special keys for emojis, microphone mute, search etc. Long running time. Stable connection (tested via Logi-Bolt). USB-C dongle / charging cable price rather high (CHF 199, or CHF 169 for the mini version)
Official promotional video from Logitech