2023-09-05 07:07:35
I’ve always been a fan of small keyboards. The ability to have devices take up less desk space is a huge benefit, especially if, like me, your desk space is cluttered with extra essential gadgets and technology. But at the same time, while the small size of a 60% keyboard is a plus, the lack of a directional pad and those extra buttons can become annoying, which is why tenkeyless designs have become so popular. In that spirit, I’ve been testing Logitech’s new G Pro X TKL Lightspeed lately, which is essentially a slightly upgraded version of the tenkeyless G Pro keyboard, and so far I’ve been impressed with the device. TKL Lightspeed is slightly larger than a typical tenkeyless keyboard. It doesn’t have a number pad, but it does have defined arrow keys and a bunch of typical extra buttons like page up and down. What makes the TKL Lightspeed different is the extra buttons above the keyboard, which open the way to a range of backlighting options, playback mechanisms, ways to initiate Bluetooth and Lightspeed connections, and more. These are a bunch of very handy buttons that pave the way for extra ease of use, but they come at the cost of a larger body, as the TKL Lightspeed, despite being TKL, is still a rather bulky device. Having said that, the build quality of this keyboard is very good. It feels firm and secure, not heavy and dense like HyperX’s Alloy Origins line. The keyboard is mostly made of high-grade plastic, but it has a silver metal backplate that adds depth to its appearance and gives it extra structural strength. The keys are also well made and easy to remove so you can either clean the keyboard or put spacers on the GX Switches (which can be Tactile, Linear or Clicky) to reduce their noise output. On the topic of noise the keys and switches are clearly clicking so if you don’t want to frustrate your friends in a party chat or discord room get ready to install a noise gate or strategically place the mic further away from the keyboard place. In terms of connectivity systems, the TKL Lightspeed can run either as a wired system, wirelessly via regular Bluetooth, or wirelessly via Logitech’s proprietary Lightspeed technology, which reduces input lag at the cost of less battery efficiency. In general, I haven’t noticed a huge difference between the three options, other than that wired reduces your portability potential. But I will say that the TKL Lightspeed’s battery life is pretty impressive, lasting around 50 hours if you’re not using Lightspeed. Here’s an ad: Speaking of portability, this is one of the areas where TKL Lightspeed surprised me the most. Since this isn’t a numpad, you wouldn’t expect it to be an ideal portable option, but Logitech has leaned toward that. To make sure you never lose your Lightspeed adapter, the keyboard has a built-in cavity that allows you to store it safely. Then, when you’re on the go, Logitech actually sells the unit with its own very handy carrying case, which is a huge bonus for me. I will say that the design of the keyboard is not flawless. Because of the size of the keycaps (almost regular gaming keycap size) and the angle the keyboard sits at (even elevated on its built-in legs), it’s always a challenge to see the Caps Lock and Battery LED lights on top, which means you Have to lift your neck to check them. The same goes for most of the top buttons, but since the rest are larger and more visible, they’re less of an issue. Logitech also wanted to make sure that TKL Lightspeed has plenty of support for the G Hub software app, because here you can really design and tweak the RGB to suit your style from a range of options. You can also fiddle with macros and commands, and even set Game Mode so that certain keys and buttons are disabled mid-game – the best part is there’s an option to toggle Game Mode on/off on the keyboard itself using one of the defined top buttons. Between this and the volume wheel, you really don’t need to take your hands off this keyboard for too many reasons. Here’s an ad: I was impressed with this keyboard and truly fell in love with it. It’s highly customizable, has tons of options, is well built, feels great to use, has a wide range of wired and wireless options, and is backed by a product that’s great for portability. Its size is definitely a little frustrating, but the larger form only exists so that Logitech can include an otherwise useful list of buttons. The main thing regarding the G Pro X TKL Lightspeed is that it’s a very expensive gadget at €229, but for that price point you do get a keyboard that rivals some of the best on the market, and A suitcase, you can take it with you. We need to talk.
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