Hi,
I am in the market for a new Bluetooth keyboard and I am thinking about Logytech K380 and K480. I would appreciate if the users of these 2 products can provide some suggestions and help in choosing. Basically, I want to know that which one is better.
The factors I am looking for in the keyboard are durability, decent typing experience, and good connectivity.
I'll be using it with Apple, Windows and Android devices.
Additionally, can anyone tell me if these 2 come with number pad? I don't need number pad that much these days, but it can be a nice thing to have if they come with it.
Thanks
By SeasonKing, 29 May, 2021
Forum
Apple Hardware and Compatible Accessories
Comments
keyboards
Hey, I use both keyboards. The k480 has a more comfortable typing experience with greater travel distance and louder keyswitches. You can also swap the position of the option and command keys on the fly, depending on if you're using an Apple device or not. Neither keyboard has a numpad. The k480 has a slot at the top for a tablet. The entire unit is also weighted. The k480 has a dedicated wheel to select which device you connect to, whereas the k380 uses the function row. Both can connect to 3 devices separately.
Long story short, the k380 is smaller and lighter, making it better to throw in a backpack and carry around. It's what goes with me on the train and plane. The k480 is more comfortable to type on, but it's bigger, heavier, and a bit louder. I like to use it around the house and carry it with me when I know I need to do a long typing session on the go.
Keyboard
k380.
@Pepper Fox
Is K380 also more slimmer than K480?
slimmer
This keyboard enough small and slim.
It supports three devices, too.
You can use it in windows, too.
But for a better comfortability you should install logitech app for this device.
For example, to switch to a normal f1 - f12 action for the top row.
is the keyboard full-size?
Is the keyboard full-size? in other words, does it include all 104 keys?
not full sized.
This keyboard has rounded keys.
And this one doesn't have any extra digit keypads.
And arrow keys are small relatively to the usual keyboard.
But typing is enough comfortable.
Very interesting
At first, I didn't think of wait of keyboard and shape of keys. I suppose cerculer keys at first would be strange for me, but I prefer a silent keyboard over a noisy one any day.
Few questions that I am thinking about are: is the K480 really that heavy that it is uncomfortable to be carried in a bag? Is it so noisy that you wouldn't use it in a physical office meeting or a class room? and is the paring process same on both keyboards? on K380 if function keys are used to switch between devices, then how would you press the actual keys like F2 or F1? Are small arrow keys uncomfortable to use? Also, if you put the keyboard in the bag then wouldn't random keys get pressed, what if the turn on key is pressed and it starts inputting random things to my phone or any other previously connected device?
me too
Me too. also, I love noisy keyboards.
Yes. The k380 is thinner and…
Yes. The k380 is thinner and has a wedge-shaped side profile. The k480 is more like a slab. The keys on the k480 has rounded corners and the k380 has round keys, but it doesn't significantly impact typing in my experience. Unfortunately, they are laptop-style keyboards, so not full size.
question
Question: I herd you'll need an app to use the k380 with an iOS device, but how accessible is it with VOiceOver?
Not for ios, for windows.
The k480 is enough heavy, But it doesn't mean you won't be able to put it into the bag.
However it depends on if you are ready to have extra 820 grams.
It is understandable, why the product makers made the keyboard to be so heavy.
It's supposed you will use it with the iPad or any big device.
This keyboard is enough noisy relatively to the k380.
If you want to use functional keys on k380 you press fn-key and any functional key.
The app should be installed on windows if you do not want to press fn-key to get effect of functional keys.
In setting of the windows app you set the checkbox to use f1 - f12 as usual keys.
Then you can close the app and forget it.
Yes, there are other settings in this app.
But I didn't use it.
The app in windows is accessible badly, but accessible.
On IOs you should not install any app.
At least I didn't install any.
Is the keyboard k380 good or bad?
I don't know.
If you want a really portable keyboard, then have look at Microsoft universal foldable keyboard.
This keyboard is really small, foldable, it supports Bluetooth 4le. protocol.
But k380 and k480 support only Bluetooth 3.0.
Thus, you have to finger the k380, k480 and, if you want, Microsoft Keyboard.
Nobody can advise you.
It depends on many factors.
For example, price, comfortability, noisity, weight, and so on.
Cheers!
Logitech K380 and MX Keys
I can't speak on behalf of the K480, but I did purchase the K380 at first, mainly because I wanted a keyboard that I could connect to my iPhone and Mac. The K380 doesn't have a Numerical Pad, but one of the nice things is, you can remove the batteries as it only requires 2 AA batteries, so when the batteries are fully dead, the keyboard isn't wasted.
I did eventually purchase the Logitech MX Keys, which does include a Numerical Pad and also can connect to 3 different devices, which can be connected via Bluetooth or with the included USB dongle, which is really tiny and can easily be connected to a computer and left there.
I've tried a few keyboards and, after hearing Stephen Scott recommend the MX Keys on the Double Tap Canada podcast, I gave it a shot and do not regret it for a second.
It's a pretty well built and have a nice heft to it, but isn't too heavy. It's got those chicklet keys with a small round indent in the middle that feels comfortable to use for long periods, and the keys have a nice travel. It's not a mechanical keyboard but, compared to the Butterfly style keyboard on my 2017 MacBook Pro, I prefer this keyboard hands down.
You can get one with a Mac layout, but I have the one with the Windows layout and, which ever layout you choose, either one works fine for any platform as the keyboard layout adjusts for the operating system you use.
The MX Keys does have a built-in rechargeable lithium ion battery, which they say can last for a very long time, don't remember the exact length, but I think it's something like 8-12 months. The keyboard can be charged with the included USB-C to USB-A cable too.
As for the Function row (F1-F12) acting as multimedia controls and having to press the Function key in order to use the F1-F12 as actual function keys, I found, and this seems to be the case for my K380 and MX Keys, if you press and hold the Function key and then press the Escape key, that switches the function row back to being the standard function row, so no need for software.
HTH!