In this post, I want to focus on the keyboard I’m currently using for work. It’s the Logitech K380, which has been on the market for several years but remains one of the best offerings from the Swiss company.
In an era where many gamers and programmers prefer mechanical keyboards, I opt for the simplicity and agility that a conventional keyboard with low-profile keys gives me. Oh, and regarding mechanical keyboards…
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About Mechanical Keyboards
My opinion on mechanical keyboards can be summed up as follows: I hate them. I find them big, bulky, and aesthetically horrible. From my perspective, hardware manufacturers have managed to sell people products with already obsolete technology at inflated prices.
For this very reason, when I’m considering buying a keyboard, any type of mechanical keyboard is completely out of the question. I don’t consider them an option under any circumstances.
Choosing the Logitech K380
Now, I’ll tell you about my experience with the Logitech K380.
The End of an Era
A few years ago, I was working with a Genius Slimstar 8000, a more than acceptable keyboard with low-profile keys and a numeric keypad. But after getting used to a Dell laptop that I used at work, this Genius keyboard started to feel increasingly heavy.
For me, it’s essential when writing (whether text or code) not to have to make too much effort moving my fingers.
They need to remain free, moving at almost the same height above the keyboard keys. That’s why the lower the keys, the more comfortable I feel with that keyboard.
The Genius Slimstar 8000 had completed its cycle for me, so I decided to look for a replacement.
The Possible Replacements for Logitech
This time, I decided to prioritize Logitech. Out of all their models, the ones that caught my attention the most were the K400 Plus, the K480, and the K380. All of them are Bluetooth keyboards that can connect to more than one device at a time, with low-profile keys and rounded edges.
The K400 Plus has the keys placed right next to each other and includes a trackpad with two buttons on the right side. I wasn’t particularly interested in having that feature on the keyboard.
The K480 has more spaced-out keys and a yellow-green strip with a slot to hold a tablet. In other words, it’s a keyboard designed primarily to complement another device.
The K380 features low-profile, spaced-out, and completely round keys. At first, I found this last detail awful. However, the advantage of this keyboard was that it had nothing extra—no numeric keypad, no trackpad, no slot for a tablet. It was a simple, minimalist keyboard with low-profile keys.
I ended up choosing the K380, though not entirely convinced.
The Logitech K380 in Practice
At first, I struggled with not having a numeric keypad on my desktop PC, which is where I use this keyboard. But after several years of using it, I can confidently say that it’s the best keyboard I’ve ever had. So much so that I’ve even considered buying a few extra units and storing them in case Logitech ever stops producing them.
I use it all the time, of course, but I truly appreciate its advantages when writing texts—like this blog post, for example—and, naturally, when coding.
From my perspective, these are the best features of the Logitech K380.
Low-profile keys, well-placed, and a sturdy build
The great advantage of this keyboard is that the keys are very low, allowing fingers to glide effortlessly. Additionally, the keys are firmly attached to the keyboard’s structure, preventing them from lifting—something that sometimes happens with laptops or low-quality keyboards.
I was a bit concerned about the spacing between the keys when I first bought it, but it turned out to be no problem at all. The placement of each key is simply perfect.
Typing Stability
Another advantage of this keyboard is the rubber pads on the bottom. They are strong and prevent the keyboard from sliding while typing.
The only issue I had with this was that one of the rubber pads came off—but that was after about three years of use. I glued it back with contact adhesive, and it hasn’t come off since.
Key Layout
As for the keyboard layout, I bought one with a Latin American layout, and it took me a while to get used to it since I had been using an English layout before. However, over time, I completely forgot about this issue.
The K380, like laptops, has a function key that allows access to operations like Page Up, Page Down, Home, and End, which aren’t dedicated keys on the keyboard.
Connectivity
The keyboard connects via Bluetooth, and I’ve used it on Ubuntu and Android with a tablet. I’ve never had any issues connecting it. Naturally, this keyboard works well with both Windows and Apple devices (the Alt keys share space with the Cmd keys).
This model, along with other Logitech keyboards I mentioned earlier, has the ability to connect to multiple devices simultaneously. Using the 1, 2, and 3 buttons, you can switch between devices and control different ones from a single keyboard.
It’s definitely an interesting feature, though I haven’t used it much. I tried it once, but it’s not something I really need. That said, I can confirm that it works well.
Durability
I’ve had this keyboard for several years now. The only issue I had, as I mentioned, is that one of the rubber pads on the bottom came off—the ones that prevent the keyboard from moving while in use. A simple fix with glue was all it took, and I haven’t had any further problems.
As for the key labels, the S key is just starting to fade. The rest are in perfect condition. Keep in mind that I use it daily for many hours.
Aesthetics
In terms of aesthetics, the Logitech K380 fits better with minimalist desks. It took me a while to get used to its round keys. I might prefer them to be square, but hey… nothing is perfect.
It’s not a keyboard that stands out. On the contrary, it’s small, modest, and simple.
Summary
That’s all for this article. If you’re considering buying an affordable, durable keyboard that’s great for typing and coding, consider the Logitech K380 among the other keyboards that will surely catch your eye, but might not be worth it.
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