Pros: Good price; easy installation; plenty of customizable hotkeys; attractive design; comfortable design.
Cons: Multimedia keys prove troublesome; volume wheel lags entire function key layout; inadequate rubber feet.
Verdict: The Logitech Elite Keyboard offers users a comfortable keyboarding experience along with a good price and plethora of hotkeys, although a few minor issues detract from the experience.
With the exception of monitors, the keyboard is probably the most used and least upgraded device for a PC; it also takes the most abuse of any other component. Yet despite this neglect, Logitech saw fit to introduce a boat-load of new keyboards including the Elite Keyboard, featured here.
Overview & Installation Installing the Elite Keyboard is simple: Plug it in an available USB port and it's ready to go. Logitech also provided a PS2 adaptor for users that choose not to occupy a USB port with a keyboard. The provided Logitech iTouch software should also be installed to allow customization of the many function keys the Elite Keyboard offers.
The design of the Elite Keyboard is a smooth black design with silver accents. Logitech's 'zero-degree tilt' design also adds to the ergonomic, smooth look of the keyboard; giving it a very flat shape. Logitech also provided a removable wrist rest with Elite.
Function Keys & Functionality The main features of the Elite Keyboard are the plethora of 'function keys'. Adorned along the top of the Elite are the main function keys, including e-mail; messenger/SMS; web cam; full multimedia hotkeys and web search/favorites. Along the left side is another small grouping of keys including a customizable scroll wheel/button, a 'Go' button for launching web pages and a back button. Last but not least, the F1-F12 keys also double as word processor, e-mail & other application functions (The 'F-Lock' key on the left top of the keyboard must be disabled before these keys are accessible).
The iTouch software allows a good amount of customization to the hotkeys, and also features a helpful help dialogue the first time the key is pressed. Unfortunately, there's a few nagging issues specifically with the multimedia hotkeys. First, the 'Media' key which is supposed to launch the program of your choice is impossible to customize. While the help file provides instructions, they result in no success. The next annoyance are the oddly shaped forward/backward/play/stop keys for switching tracks. While they're nicely set into the design of the keyboard, the keys are difficult to find when not looking and feel awkward when pressed. Last but not least, the neat volume wheel in the centre is cool, but if turned too much or too quickly, the entire keyboard hotkeys lag and will not respond until the volume slowly finishes reacting; not good. The wheel and minor internet navigation keys on the left side are a neat addition but would benefit from a forward key to accompany the back key.
The attractive look of the keyboard complements the soft feel and 'just-right' key press sound. While some keyboards sound like a thousand hammers slamming into the keys, the Elite Keyboard responds well, with solid keys and a nice sound. The zero-degree tilt design also makes typing fairly comfortable and the keys easier to access than the older style keyboards. Also, the small rubber feet on the bottom of the keyboard are inadequate in keeping the keyboard still and it moves around fairly easily.
The Bottom Line With a street price of $35, the Logitech Elite Keyboard offers plenty of bang for the buck, with an attractive black design and comfortable typing; unfortunately, a few minor flaws and troublesome multimedia hotkeys detract from the intended functionality.
"3 Keys!!!" Logitech keyboards suck. I just bought a logitech black internet keyboard and i heard that keyboards like this don't support more than 3 key when you play games. I cant't believe it. the desing is very good but the technical part ... PLus, i even can't contact any support team from logitech because they don't give any email addres. Pls help me with taht problem. From Trica, October 26, 2004
"My Shift sucks too" If you like to use your shift buttons, I wouldn't recommend this product. Or any logitech product, in fact. For one, their online support sucks. There is no specified link to even get an email address to submit a question. How are you supposed to accomplish anything when the people who are supposed to be experts cannot even be contacted? Annoying. My shift works when it feels like it. Apparently, so does the company. From Donna, August 09, 2004
"No Mozzila Firefox Support" I still like this keyboard. It seems to have good battery life, and even though they don't support my favorite browser on some of the keys. I still like it.
THere is an Online Petition on the Logitech Forums for the support of Mozilla by the way.
If you like Firefox go by and sign it.
http://forums.logitech.com/index.html?l=en&c=usa From MIchael Paul, July 24, 2004
"garbage keyboard" you will notice my comments here will contain no characters that require the shift key...because the shift keys no longer work [i would put exclamation points here if i could...lots of them]
this keyboard is only about 2 months old. i have not used it for any odd purposes like swatting flies or as a drink holder. however, this week the shift keys decided to stop working. thanks logitech. i can assure you i will never purchase a product from your company again. From greg becker, June 28, 2004
"Great KBD, would like to see (even) more flexible functionality" A very comfortable and reliable keyboard, decently priced. I love the flexibility in being able to assign the various buttons across the top of the keyboard. The ability to call up specific applications, folders, webpages and more with the 20 (!) assignable keys is very nice. I wish however that like capslock and shift, there were a temporary "Function" key that could be used as a metakey in much the same way as shift is used. There is a F-lock key, but not a key quickly usefull on the fly. The "Go" and "Back" keys are not as assignable as the other keys either, why the difference?
The mousewheel is nice, but again is not as broadly assignable as the F1-12 keys or the other function keys.
One of the areas I really like on this keyboard (and one that gets perhaps the most use) is the Play/Pause, Stop, FFWD and REV keys along with the volume wheel. If you use your computer for listening to music while not actually using the computer this is great. A lit up LED display as I have seen on some custom cases would be a nice addition to this so one could see the song title.
So, all in all a great keybord which makes using your computer a lot smoother, but the software functions could be even more flexible. From Leu, September 09, 2003
"Works well on Mac, some quirks" I'm not going to repeat what was said in the other reviews, I pretty much agree with the keyboard layout issues and all that.
I first noticed this keyboard because of the markings for the "Command" and "Option" keys that most third party keyboards never have. I figure that if they were going to bother with printing those symbols, then hopefully the support would be there as well. (Can be wishfull thinking, I know.)
It works exceptionally well, with a few quirks.
The control center doesn't handle opening URLs all that well. I can't complain, I'm using Mozilla, and this feature may only work with Internet Explorer.
I configured the "go" button to go forward, fixing the missing button problem other people have complained about. :-)
F-lock isn't an issue, as most Mac programs make little if no use of the function keys in their default state. Apple does the same thing with the iBooks and Powerbooks, you have to hit the "Fn" key to get the original function key.
I have "shopping" set to open Quicken and "iTouch" to open Mozilla. "Webcam" opens iPhoto. :-)
Everything works well, though sometimes I wish there were more keys. :-P I use F9 for eject, since there isn't a dedicated one, and I click on the scroll wheel to switch applications. It works wonders.
The keyboard is nice and soft, and I prefer the flat keyboard since I've read that tilting increases the likelyhood of Carple Tunnel Syndrome.
You can't change the "media center" button, it opens iTunes, but this shouldn't be a problem. I did have it open the OS 9 version (in classic) instead of the OS X version, but I realized that I wasn't going to use OS 9 iTunes anymore, so I removed it.
There are two other quibbles.. first, there's no driver support for OS 9. I rarely use OS 9, so I don't see this as a problem.
The other can be a real pain.. the Command and Option keys are reversed if no driver is loaded.
I'm impressed with how well everything works, and I don't regret the purchase at all.
From Luigi Mattera, November 08, 2002
"Nice keyboard, but weak software."
First off: do I recommend this product? Well, let's put it this way... If there was an additional option that said "Yes, but with some hesitation", I'd check that one.
I've used Microsoft's Internet Keyboard Pro a lot in the past, so I'll mainly be comparing to that product.
There's nothing really wrong with the basic hardware. The keyboard creaks and flexes a bit if held in one's hands and given a light twist. It's made of plastic and not steel, and it shows if treated in this manner. However, flat on the desktop it behaves as it should and doesn't make any weird noises. Microsoft's keyboard is about equal in its construction quality, but the actual buttons on it are a bit less precise when typing in my opinion. The Logitech keyboard has a very nice feel to it when typing, but this could be a highly individual thing. Also, the overall design, a bit more futuristic and not quite so 'strict' and boring, and it being available in black/silver instead of just standard computer beige-white is more appealing to me. Win for Logitech.
The unit has a very low-profile design, which supposedly is a good thing if the box is to be trusted. I can't deal with such keyboards, it feels wrong when typing. Fortunately for me, there are two built-in legs that are actually quite sturdy (unlike the ones on Microsoft's equivalent) which raises up the rear end about 10-12mm or so. Not really a point here for anybody in my opinion, and I can't remember the Microsoft keyboard as being very thick either.
Attaching the thing couldn't be simpler. It comes with a fairly thick straight cord that ends in a single USB plug. A dongle (which comes attached) transforms it into a PS/2 plug. I don't think this dongle works with USB mice even though it physically fits both on a mouse's USB plug (of course) and into a mouse PS/2 port. I didn't care to test if something would explode if I tried this, so you might want to make sure you don't get your USB->PS/2 dongles mixed up. I just left mine in the box and plugged it into a free USB connector.
Microsoft's keyboard comes with a very thick cable attached that ends in separate plugs, one being USB and one PS/2. The manual suggests both needs attaching if the extra keys and built-in USB hub is to be used. That is incorrect, all features of the keyboard works fine with just the USB plug connected. It's still a little irritating to have a loose connector dangling like that, and the cord IS rather thick as previously stated. Win here for Logitech for elegance and simplicity in design.
Features are quite rich on both products.
As one of the major features of the Microsoft keyboard is a twin-port, bus-powered USB hub of the older 12Mbps full-speed variety. This handles things like mice and joysticks/pads or anything else that requires no more than 100mA of current. It can also be used for things like printers, scanners or such things that have their own built-in powersupplies. You won't damage anything if you for example plug in a web camera that draws more than 100mA; it just won't work.
The Microsoft keyboard also has an extensive array of extra buttons, all arranged in three principal groups:
Browsing assist options includes functionality to go to your home page of choice (or open a new browser window; this button does both at the same time, and if the default page is set to your favorite search engine then it becomes a search button as well you could say), buttons to jump forward and back, reload a page (or stop reloading it), plus a bigger button to open your mail/news reader. These buttons were of fairly limited use to me. I found myself mostly using the open browser and news reader buttons, rarely bothering to reach up to the top of the keyboard to press the reload or forwards/back keys. Especially since these buttons are all the same size and color, only distinguishing themselves by a small symbol embossed on the top surface; there is no text silk-screened onto the keyboard itself. To me, it was easier to use my mouse for navigation, but your mileage may vary.
Multimedia keys offers the option to raise/lower master volume or mute sound completely (with useful on-screen graphics to show the volume level), play/pause, stop, next and previous track, as well as launch a media player. I only had Windows Media Player 7 and WinAmp installed at the time, and the software seemed to prefer WinAmp (because that is what would appear when pressing the media player key), which I too preferred actually.
Last group is the misc. options keys, which defaults to putting computer to sleep (may or may not work for you!), running the file explorer and starting the Windows calculator. The calculator button was extra useful to me, not that I really calculate all that much, but it's nice to have available all the same.
Everything works with little to no re-configuring after installing the software, very slick, very neat. It integrates with the standard keyboard control panel applet which makes it even easier to use.
Logitech's array of features is equally impressive, but centers on different things. There is no integrated USB hub for example, instead it features an integrated clickable scrolling wheel.
Beneath the wheel is a "Go" button (were you can enter a WWW address of your own choice) and a "back" button. No forwards option exists, but then again, that one isn't used quite as often either.
The scrolling wheel would be nice if it didn't have the annoying tendency to refuse to scroll unless the mouse is clicked in the frame or listview one wishes to scroll. That kind of detracts from the purpose of having it in the first place since there's almost always a wheel on your mouse too these days. The wheel click cannot be freely configured, it only offers a number of pre-set options, none of which are emulating either a key press or a left, right or middle mouse button click. This could have been a handy option in games and such but alas, we have no such luck!
Above the wheel section is a small, recessed sleep button. I imagine it COULD be possible to hit it by mistake if fumbling for the Esc key (thereby possibly crashing the computer since they often seem to do so when either entering or exiting sleep mode). Well, it worked for me that one time I tested it...
Above the F1-F4 keys is first the Dreaded F-lock key (which is needed to make the F-keys actually function like F-keys), then launch email/news reader button, an internet messenger button, and webcam button too. These are all fairly gimmicky with the exception of the email button, which have an actual use in my eyes.
The midsection holds the multimedia keys and the volume wheel. These are all fairly big and easy to use, play/pause and stop are curiously to the right of the wheel while previous/next track buttons are to the left. Not that it REALLY matters, but it feels a bit backwards compared to a stationary CD player or such. There's a launch media player button too, which opens a window allowing you to choose which player you want, in case there are several installed. I'd prefer if it was possible to just have it plain run one, but at least it's possible to pick a player without resorting to the mouse, and then focus returns to whatever program one was working in. Oh yes, there's a mute sound button too.
The volume wheel is a story in itself. It's big, and it spins, and has many fine steps which are all pretty loosely defined. Firmer action would have been nice! Spinning the wheel too fast makes the volume update lag behind and can cause you to "overshoot" the desired setting. Waiting for it to clear up only takes a second or two, but it's still mildly annoying. Spinning the wheel slower is of course also an option. The onscreen graphics for all the multimedia keys is so big and irritating there's no way you'd ever want to have it enabled, so it's a good thing it can be turned off.
On the right side above the numerical pad are more mostly gimmicky or useless buttons. The iTouch button opens - duh - the iTouch software to configure the keyboard. That I immediately reconfigured to run good 'ol calc.exe... You have the software in the start menu AND the systray too if you want to, that's quite enough. Wasting a keyboard button on it too is a WASTE. Search isn't a bad button to have, but it feels a bit redundant since you have a Home button too, and if you don't have any other real home page than a search site then you don't need one or the other. Of course, they can be set to do something else. Just like the silly Shopping and Favorites (US English spelling on a European product) buttons. The Shopping button is extra silly in my opinion, only reason it's there (and set to Logitech's own shopping portal as default) is to trick people to go to their shopping portal. And what the heck do you need a favorites button for? Not only is it right there in the IE toolbar, you have a dedicated menu for them too!
Of course these can be reconfigured, but it's a bit confusing starting your word processor or whatever with the Shopping button...
Overall though, choice isn't bad at all, and many of these buttons can be freely configured to either run programs or open web addresses or such, so Microsoft kind of loses here.
As if THAT wasn't enough in the way of buttons, all the F-keys double as extra utility keys with presets that are useful in programs such as Word too. However, this is a bit annoying actually. You see, to use the F-keys as F-keys, the F-lock key must be ENABLED manually. F1 for help, or Alt-F4 to close programs won't work unless F-lock is set, and it resets bavk to off whenever the computer is shut down or restarted! There is no option to have it permanently enabled in the software, and turning off the extra functionality just makes them do nothing at all when pressed. This might just be a bug in the program, but it's a mighty annoying bug I tell you that.
Couple this with those idiotic popups that appear whenever a button is pressed the first time after installing the keyboard... The old saying, "make a system even a fool can use, and only a fool wants to use it", comes to mind here.
Okay, these things only appear once (unless you actually want to repeat the experience time and time again), but it's still silly and pointless. You wouldn't want Windows for example screaming for your attention at your every action after a new installation, so why is this keyboard doing it?
Other minor (or not so minor depending on your point of view) irritants is that if for example the media key or wheel click is pressed while in a fullscreen application (like a game), you will be forced back to the windows desktop. This can be highly annoying and sometimes even dangerous, as not all applications switch gracefully between fullscreen mode and the desktop.
Final complaint is that the keyboard software really isn't as intuitive as Microsoft's. It doesn't integrate with the keyboard applet, it has to be run separately, and for example changing all 12 F-keys to not have the extra functions Logitech offers is a lot of point-and-clicking with the mouse. There's also no "reset to defaults" option there so if I change my mind it's a multitude of clicks to restore everything again.
All in all, the Logitech keyboard looks and feels better. It's got more buttons that can be configured more freely. It lacks the USB hub however (which in all fairness is of relatively little importance since it only offers two connectors. The keyboard occupies one at the back of the computer which leaves just one additional connector in total.
However, Microsoft's software is plain BETTER. It's easier to configure and it works more solidly too and without annoying the user several times for the first few hours of use with stupid popup windows.
These quirks may be fixed in the future by a new software release, who knows. The keyboard hardware IS nice though and it is pleasant to type on, so if you just get it all configured the way you want it then you won't have to bother (much) with that slightly mangy dog that is iTouch.
Counting the pluses and minuses would make the Logitech seem a clear winner I think, but really, it's not as easy as that. If you like a great-looking, great-feeling (black) keyboard and am willing to overlook the software deficiencies, then this is the unit for you.
If not, then you might want to reconsider. I don't regret my purchase however.
From Lenny Valentin, September 23, 2002
We're currently upgrading our user review system; so we won't be accepting new reviews for now. Elite Keyboard Specs
Interface(s)
Original USB
Released date
December 1969
Platforms
Windows 98 SE, Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows XP, MacOS X
