Logitech Alto Keys K98M The mechanical keyboard is now available in North America following its initial launch in China and other select markets. The $149.99 Alto Keys K98M is a nearly full-size, 1,800-layout keyboard that has a slightly compact design and supports a numeric keypad. But what makes the K98M special for Logitech's mainstream board is that it fully supports hot-swapping of standard Cherry MX-compatible key switches and uses internal padding to attach to the semi-soft typing experience. Logitech has belatedly followed suit with enthusiast keyboards.
Alto Keys has a two-piece plastic body, a translucent top and an opaque bottom, color-matched to the included keycaps. It comes in white, graphite and lavender color combinations, with white backlighting and see-through PBT keycaps. It's a simple and clean aesthetic designed for mass appeal. As are its specs and features, such as a claimed battery life of up to 12 months (with the white backlight turned off) and Bluetooth/Logi Bolt wireless connectivity—each of which can be used on Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, iOS/iPadOS, and Android.
I spent some time with the Alto Keys review device and liked its look, sound, and typing feel. The translucent plastic casing and visible internal pad tray around the perimeter give the keyboard a beautiful, airy design. It's especially charming in the lavender color I tested, but the more traditional graphite and white models look equally clean. I believe these colors offer a little more flexibility in terms of appearance if you want to put your own keycaps on. Customization goes further as you can swap out switches for thousands of other options for a customized sound and feel.
But software is a different story. Logitech's Logi Options Plus app is easy to use and has a nice user interface for basic settings (backlight levels, timeout, automatic battery saver mode, etc.) and also displays Mac-like toast pop-ups when adjusting brightness or volume. But the actual keyboard customizations it offers are very limited. For example, you can only configure the alternate functions of the 12 F-row keys. Cheaper keyboards using software like QMK and VIA can remap any key to almost anything.
Alto Keys don't have the loud, bright, or distinct sound of smaller brand enthusiast boards with metal cases, but they're still a pleasure to type on. It has a light, clicking sound that's not too loud, and can be tolerated in all but the quietest offices. And just like the design is light and airy, the Alto board feels good on the fingers. The installed Logitech marble switches have a smooth and smooth 3.5mm linear travel. only enough weight at 40 grams of actuation force to not be too heavy or vague with each keystroke. The UniCushion pad underneath gives the keys some flex if you press hard, but keeps it firm so it doesn't feel mushy.
Overall, I'm impressed with the Alto Keys, and I hope we see more enthusiast style influences on Logitech keyboards—especially the more translucent design, because it's just fun. But at $150, it competes with better off-the-shelf keyboards from smaller brands (some of which I've rounded up in this review). our recent buying guide). Many of these options from manufacturers like Epomaker, Wobkey, Chilkey and others cost less while offering more extensive software customization and higher quality materials (especially if you're partial to metal cases). And if you don't mind a plastic body, options from Keychron or a brand like Aula are about half the price.
However, this is the first interesting Logitech keyboard I've tried in a while, and I'm eager to see more. Perhaps the next Logitech will be able to reach 75 percent Alto Keys K75Mfor those of us who don't like number pads.
Photo by Antonio J. Di Benedetto/The Verge
