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If you are in need of a set of budget peripherals for your Mac, the Logitech MK270 Keyboard Combo will work well with both your desktop and your wallet's needs.
We desperately needed an ergonomic keyboard and mouse for our MacBook Pro that didn't break the bank. At $28, Logitech's MK270 arrived in two days from Amazon and seemed to fit the bill.
We could have spent hundreds on Apple's name-brand Magic Keyboard and mouse, but not everyone has that kind of money for accessories. We certainly don't, and Logitech's MK270 is a budget alternative to higher-end products that make some big promises.
Now that some time has passed, we can confirm whether or not Logitech's budget keyboard and mouse combo is worth buying. Here's what we experienced after a couple of weeks of full-time use.
Functional keyboard with few missing features
The MK270 combo has a full-size keyboard, including a numerical keypad and some media controls. Logitech prints the keyboard with a Windows layout, but it functions with our MacBook Pro just fine, despite having to learn which keys activate the Command, Option, and Control buttons.
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The Logitech keyboard has a low-profile design and doesn't feel like it sits sky-high above the desk. There are kickstands that elevate the keyboard to an angle, but it isn't customizable to any other angle, making it somewhat challenging to find the most comfortable typing position.
Logitech claims the keys are quiet, but we found that typing on the MK270 keyboard is louder than the MacBook Pro's keys. The typing sensation is about average, as Logitech's quieting materials make each keystroke squishy, feeling less satisfying than other keyboards.
Although some media control buttons exist, we're somewhat disappointed with the lack of track control features. The play/pause, volume controls, and other random buttons are useful and all, yet we rarely use those buttons, and some customizability here would be nice.
Like most keyboards on the market, Logitech's MK270 is plastic, and initial quality is about what you would expect from a product costing only $28. Nothing was falling apart, but structurally, the plastic gives more than we would like, given the amount of time we spend on it.
A simple yet quality mouse
Logitech's MK270 keyboard comes with the M185 compact wireless mouse that's about as basic as mice come. It has two buttons and a scroll wheel, and the battery compartment has space for the included USB receiver.
Pairing the set to our MacBook was straightforward, requiring only a single USB receiver and a USB-C adapter (or dock). After plugging it in, the removal of battery plastic, and powering it on, our MacBook instantly recognized that we wanted to pair devices.
Our M185 mouse needed some calibration under the settings before the cursor and scroll speed were to our liking, yet even that process took mere seconds. Like other mice, Logitech's M185 has a natural crisp click for both the right and left buttons, and the middle scroll wheel has a hearty feedback click.
The mouse is lightweight but doesn't feel cheap. Unlike the keyboard, using the M185 mouse doesn't make us feel like we'll break it after a long workday at the computer.
Even after several weeks of use, it still doesn't bear any scuffs or blemishes, and the laser tracks like new.
The Logitech MK270 Keyboard Combo
Prices continue to skyrocket and the average user doesn't have massive amounts of cash to spend on accessories for their computers. The Logitech MK270 Keyboard combo is a budget option for those needing a somewhat ergonomic setup that pairs well with Apple devices.
We wish the keyboard was of better quality, as typing is neither quiet nor overly enjoyable. The lack of customizability for positioning and the give in the plastic is frustrating and feels very cheap.
Additionally, the MK270 keyboard doesn't have emoji options, media track control options, or key mapping customizability, making it about as rudimentary a keyboard as you can get. Although a wired keyboard would be a step down, Logitech's budget keyboard isn't far behind.
On the other hand, the Logitech M185 mouse that comes in the combo performs admirably. Despite being lightweight, the build quality is nice, and the button clicks are satisfying. It saves the score for the whole package.
Amazon rates this combo set as the best bang for your buck, and because of the Logitech name, we're inclined to agree. Even though the keyboard isn't great, the whole package performs as one would expect, and the price point makes it a good buy.
Logitech MK270 pros
- Full-size keyboard and mouse
- Simple to connect and use
- Affordable price for wireless
Logitech MK270 cons
- Cheap plastic for keyboard
- Missing additional media control buttons
- Mac users can't customize button mapping
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Where to buy the Logitech MK270
You can find the Logitech MK270 Keyboard and Mouse combo set on Amazon for only $28.
Andrew Orr
Amber Neely
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
2 Comments
Wait, how does this qualify as an ergonomic keyboard?
For the price, it may be decent enough, especially paired with the mouse. Getting a functional full key layout keyboard and sufficient mouse with all the basics for $28 is a bargain, assuming they don't self-destruct with use in short order.
But there's nothing that would count towards expectations for either to fit into the ergonomic category.
I've used a couple of Windows-layout keyboards, simply because I like the light-up keys for nighttime use. Easy enough to remap the Option (Alt) and Command (Control) keys to Apple's Command and Option layout. Of course, this is most helpful if it's your only keyboard and you are wedded to Apple's layout. Here, the author is using the board along with his laptop... but IIRC there should be a line at "System Prefs->Keyboard->Modifier Keys..." that lets you choose which keyboard you're using.