Logitech MK850 Performance Review: A Solid Mouse And Keyboard Combo
Introduction
Logitech is a well-known company in the industry for making peripheral equipment for computers, including webcams, keyboards and computer mice. We have been reviewing many of their products and today we will be looking at the MK850 which is a mouse and keyboard set, sold as one unit and comes with a 1 year of limited hardware warranty. The Logitech MK850 can also be used with mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets which we'll get into in a moment. Logitech lists the MK850 for $100, but it can be found for $80 at Amazon or even $70 at Best Buy.
Logitech's goal with the MK850 is to make the everyday task of using a computer easier by giving users a comfortable keyboard with a palm rest and a mouse that fits comfortably in your palm with easy access to the scroll wheel and side buttons. Logitech has implemented bluetooth connectivity into the keyboard and mouse of the MK850 which connects via the 2.4Ghz band. According to Logitech, the wireless range of both the mouse and keyboard is approximately 10 meters but keep in mind that the wireless range depends on the environment you are in and how your computer is setup. Logitech also includes a USB range extender to improve wireless performance but if you don't want to connect the MK850 to your computer wirelessly, you can use the included Logitech Unifying USB dongle.
The keyboard weighs about 1.62 lbs and it measures 25 mm x 430 mm x 210 mm inches (H x W x D) while the mouse weighs 4.8 oz and it measures 45 mm x 74 mm x 115 mm inches (H x W x D). The MK850 is made of thick plastic and it's quite sturdy. I'm not a fan of flashy keyboards so I absolutely love the minimalistic design that Logitech has gone with the MK850. With the MK850, you get a full-sized keyboard (101 keys) and an ergonomic contour with a raised profile in the middle that makes it suitable for extended duration usage. Logitech has included two AAA batteries for the keyboard which can last up to two years and a single AA battery for the mouse which can last up to three years according to Logitech.
The keyboard has concave keys to make it easier for your finger to land in the middle of the key. Typing on the MK850 is smooth and the keys have a soft feel that makes little to no noise when you hit the keys. The keyboard feet are adjustable (0, 4, or 8 degrees) and the soft rubber surface of the mouse fits nicely in your palm. The MK850 is comfortable to use thanks to the cushioned palm rest and the adjustable feet but I would have liked for the palm rest to have been removable for easy cleaning.
Logitech has designed the MK850 to work with both a PC and a Mac and that's why on some keys, you will notice that there is a dual layout with two labels to distinguish between the operating systems. The gray label is for Apple devices while the white labels are for Windows devices.
On the top right side of the keyboard, there are three white numbered keys that allows users to instantly switch the keyboard pairing from the computer to a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet. You can start typing on your computer, then switch to your mobile device with the touch of a button and the mouse pairs with up to 3 devices for seamless multi-tasking. Logitech has done a great job making it as easy as possible for users to switch between different devices by using just the Logitech MK850 keyboard.
The MK850 features the membrane switches which if you look at the below image, you will see the keys recess within the frame. The membrane switches give it a flat design but some people might prefer a design that places the keys above the frame but that is normally common with mechanical keyboards.
You can program the keyboard and mouse to trigger different actions by installing the Logitech Options software. By holding down the function key and moving the mouse to the right, you can view all the opened applications. Within the Logitech Options software, you can customize things such as swapping the left and right buttons on the mouse or adjusting the pointer speed and changing the direction of the scroll-wheel.
I would have really liked for Logitech to have included dedicated media control buttons on the MK850 because they can be extremely useful if you want to play, pause and mute music and videos instantly. I'd like to be able to control my background track without switching out of the application that I'm currently in and with the dedicated media controls you can adjust the volume, or skip to the next song with the touch of a button.
Specifications
| Technical Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Company: | Logitech |
| Model: | MK850 |
| Product: | Keyboard |
| Height: | 0.98 in (25 mm) |
| Width: | 17.0 in (430 mm) |
| Depth: | 8.27 in (210 mm) |
| Weight: | 1.62 lbs (733 g including 2xAAA) |
| Product: | Mouse |
| Height: | 2.0 in (45 mm) |
| Width: | 3.0 in (74 mm) |
| Depth: | 5.0 in (115 mm) |
| Weight: | 4.8 oz (135 g (including 1XAA battery) |
| Number of buttons: | 8 |
| Scroll Wheel: | Hyperfast |
| Sensor Resolution: | 1000 DPI |
| Sensor Technology: | Logitech Advanced Optical Tracking |
| Battery life: | 24 months |
| Connection Type: | Bluetooth Smart |
| USB Speed: | USB 2.0 |
| Wireless Connection: | 2.4Ghz |
| Package Contents: | Wireless keyboard Wireless mouse Unifying receiver 2 AAA in keyboard 1 AA battery in mouse (pre-installed) USB range extender cable User documentation |
| Announced: | March 2017 |
Logitech Options Software
The MK850 can be used with Logitech Options Software for customization and personalization and it can display things like battery levels, connection method (Bluetooth or Unifying receiver) but the customizations work only while the software is running. The mouse included in the MK850 is the M720 Triathlon and this is a right-only mouse with a curved thumb rest and it has three customizable side buttons.
As you can above, the list on the left is for standard use while the list on the right, is for use while holding down the function key so you can basically customize the settings to get the perfect experience. You also have the option to use the F1-F12 keys as standard function keys. You can configure the Home button, F1-F4, F11, and F12 to a variety of Windows functions. In the Logitech Options software, you also have the option of changing the DPI of the mouse which by default is set to 500 DPI and not 1000 DPI.
Conclusion
The MK850 is great for users who are looking for a keyboard and a mouse combo with many neat features such as
quiet keys, a keyboard with rest pad, and three quick switch device buttons.
The keys feel soft when pressing and the mouse is responsive and has an ergonomic feeling which is easy on the hands.
Logitech's Options Software unlocks many cool features and makes the MK850 easy to work on multiple devices even if you are someone who is not tech savvy.
Bluetooth switching and mobile device support are what separates the MK850 from the competition.
Pros:
+ Simple Design
+ Solid Performance
+ Wireless Support
+ Comfortable
+ Affordable
Cons:
- No Dedicated Media Keys
- Palm Rest Not Detachable
If you are in the market for a high quality mouse and keyboard combo, the MK850 is definitely the product to get.
The M720 Triathlon mouse is compact and it can get the job done with no issues.
You can't go wrong with the Logitech MK850 combo because it offers everything you could want to simplify your day-to-day activities and it does all of these things at a reasonable price.
Overall, I believe the Logitech MK850 keyboard deserves our highly recommended award.
Final Score 9.0
