Logitech has embraced the sound of silence with its Signature Slim Wired K620 keyboard and M520 mouse combo.
A wired keyboard and mouse feel like throwbacks. With wireless devices ruling the roost, a user would be forgiven for wondering who, other than gamers, would want such a thing. However, there are plenty of industries where physical security is paramount, so going wireless is a no-no, and wireless devices have a habit of running out of battery power at the most inopportune times.
As such, an appetite remains for wired devices, and Logitech is keen to sate it.
The keys on the full-size keyboard will be familiar to laptop users. Users accustomed to low-profile keys will have no problem using it, although fans of classic IBM clicky keyboards will. Assuming, of course, they can even hear the hardware in operation – the keyboard is as quiet as that on a recent Dell Inspiron. However, the quality of the plastics used for the keys on the Logitech device leaves something to be desired. We’d have to rate it as average, particularly considering the recommended $69.99/€89.99 price point.
Logitech MK620
The keyboard can be switched between Windows, Chrome OS, and macOS modes via a switch at the top, although we found it difficult to read the text above the switch. We asked Logitech about this, and a spokesperson said:
“The text was a choice to balance practicality and aesthetics, keeping the OS printing low-profile to complete a clean and minimal look.” Well, OK, but we’d rather be able to read what we’ve selected rather than squint at some shiny grey text on a matte grey background.
That said, the keyboard will likely be set once and left alone thereafter.
There is no backlighting on the keyboard, which is a shame considering that the wired nature means power is not an issue. Logitech told us that backlighting was available on the pricier MX range, but didn’t see it as a major use case.
As for plugging the hardware into laptops? A pair of USB-C ports is needed (or users can pick up a separate USB-A to USB-C adapter). Logitech told us: “We designed the wired keyboard and mouse combo to be used with a docking station or computer power tower that will have more than one USB-C port.”
The mouse feels a little light compared to the keyboard, and suffers from the same slightly brittle-feeling plastic. According to Logitech, the plastic parts in the keyboard and mouse combo “include a minimum of 66 percent post-consumer recycled plastic.”
Materials aside, the mouse is a competent device, with the scroll wheel accurate enough for line-by-line scrolling or able to send pages whizzing past with a flick of the wheel. The clicks of the left and right mouse buttons are also quiet (Logitech boasts that the noise is down by 90 percent compared to the considerably cheaper Logitech M185 mouse). However, the button beneath the mouse wheel is still noisy compared to its brethren (and other Logitech devices, such as the Lift), belying the keen pricing of the hardware.
Overall, Logitech’s MK620 Signature Slim Wired Combo is a competent bit of hardware, and despite the MRP of $69.99/€89.99, it is up against some fierce competition. The HP 150, for example, also features a wired chiclet-style keyboard and can be had for considerably less.
Despite our concerns about the plastics used, the keyboard has a quality, solid feel in use. Logitech is unapologetic about the hardware being aimed at docking stations and hubs, although USB adapters are available for the port-poor.
Some design choices (such as the labeling of the keyboard mode switch) are a bit odd, but if you’re in the market for a wired keyboard and mouse with some neat customization options to roll out across an organization, the MK620 is a good choice.
The hardware comes in any color you want, so long as it’s black. Oh, and there’s an AI button. ®
