A recent PC built for a special project (more on that coming soon) brought with it a requirement for a convenient all-in-one wireless keyboard and mouse.
The Logitech K400 Wireless Touch Keyboard was just what we were looking for and its compact size (approximately 36 cms x 14 cms) still manages to incorporate a decent sized touchpad.
Connecting the K400 to your PC is a plug and play job using the tiny USB receiver – its low profile is especially welcomed if you’re using it in a laptop. In our case it’s in a desktop machine and the included plugin extender allows it to sit out from all the other connectors on the back, probably helping the RF propagation a little as well as make it less fiddly to remove.
This single 2.4GHz “Unifying” USB receiver allows you to add up to 6 Logitech devices (keyboards, mice, trackballs, touchpads etc). Logitech quote a range of up to 10 metres and we found it worked reliably in our setting.
The trackpad is multi-touch enabled and includes support for Windows 8 edge gestures. As well as the mouse buttons directly under the track pad, there’s a thoughtfully placed mouse button on the top left corner of the keyboard. This allows you to hold the unit two handed, resting your right thumb on the touch pad and your left on this mouse button – see below.
The keys are have decent travel and there are media controls keys for play, volume up, volume down etc. There’s no separate number pad (but it’s unlikely you’re buying this for an Excel spreadsheet marathon) and there’s no backlit either (although that’s available on the K400’s big brother – the Logitech K830)
The manual promises a ‘one year battery life’ from the 2 x Duracell AA cells that are included in the box (well done Logitech) and an on/off switch on the rear of the unit helps save power when you’re away.
The K400 is ideal for the living room sofa surfer and it even works with some Smart TVs and games consoles too. Available in black (and white for your kitchen) from under £30.
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Last update on 2024-11-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
I have several of these and have been using them for a few years – battery life on them is good but I do find that sometimes the wireless connection between the keyboard and the receiver can be a bit temperamental and just moving the keyboard a few inches makes all the difference however that could be just my particular environment.
I do find that it feels a bit ‘dead’ though … The touchpad buttons in particular having little feel.
Otherwise an excellent bit of kit and if you keep an eye out there are some good deals to be had on them – I think I bought my last two for less than £30 each from Maplin.
Phil