Logitech Bluetooth Multi-Device Keyboard K480

Logitech's engineers must have one day decided they really needed a single keyboard they could use with any device, no matter what platform.

Perhaps that was how the Bluetooth Multi-Device Keyboard K480 was born.

The K480 can link wirelessly via Bluetooth to three devices of different platforms, including Android, Chrome OS, iOS 5 or later, Mac OS X and Windows 7/8.

It runs on two AA batteries, which should last for two years.

The keyboard does not look like a conventional one. It has a grooved stand in front of the keys, for holding your smartphone or tablet at roughly 60 degrees, so you can read while you type.

A tablet and a smartphone (in portrait orientation) can probably fit there side by side.

The keyboard's footprint is about the same as that of a Microsoft Surface Pro 3. It is quite compact as it lacks a numeric keypad.

But the keyboard layout is familiar and it has all the common short-cut keys. There are command keys for the Mac and a Start key for Windows.

The keys are concave and rounded rather than squarish. They take getting used to but they have good tactile response and are nicely spaced out.

An Easy-Switch dial sits at the top left. At the top right of the keyboard are two Bluetooth buttons - one marked "pc" for pairing with Android, Windows and Chrome OS devices; and the other, "i", for iOS and Mac OS X devices.

To pair your Bluetooth device to K480, turn the Easy-Switch dial to the "1" mark. Press the "pc" or "i" button for the appropriate platform of your device. Pairing takes a few seconds.

Repeat for two more devices. Now the keyboard will work for all three.

Then, just turn the Easy-Switch dial to the appropriate mark.

I linked my iPhone to "1", my Android smartphone to "2" and my work Windows laptop to "3".

When I needed to use the laptop, I turned the dial to 3 and so on. Connection usually takes no more than 2 seconds.

The Logitech Bluetooth Multi-Device Keyboard K480 might not be the best-looking keyboard around, but it is the most versatile, especially if your Bluetooth devices are of different platforms. The price is very affordable too.

trevtan@sph.com.sg

TECH SPECS

Price: $59

Connectivity: Bluetooth

Weight: 820g

RATING

Design 3/5

Performance 5/5

Value for money 5/5

Overall 4/5

This article was first published on Jan 14, 2015.
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