Mechanical keyboards can also be seen more often in the office. With the MX Mechanical Mini, Logitech is now launching such a keyboard with flat keys. In addition to the tested mini model with indented arrow and function keys for 160 euros, there is the MX Mechanical for 180 euros with a larger case and number pad.
The case is made of plastic, the keys are surrounded by an aluminum plate on the top. At 2.6 centimeters at its thickest point, the MX Mechanical Mini is almost three times as high as Apple’s “Magic Keyboard”; it can be increased to up to 3.5 centimeters using foldable feet. The key travel is a good two and a half times as long as on the Apple keyboard, which is more reminiscent of a flat MacBook keyboard.
Keyboard designed for macOS and Windows
The gray keys are double-labeled with Mac and Windows assignments and backlit in white. If desired, the LEDs switch on automatically in the dark as soon as you approach the keyboard with your hands. Logitech offers the underlying switches in three variants: blue (“clicky”), red (“linear”) and brown (“quiet and tactile”). Each switch variant has a slightly different pressure point and a different volume.
Our test device had brown switches that had a barely perceptible pressure point and clattered audibly when typing. If you have colleagues who are sensitive to noise, you should avoid the even louder variant with the blue switches. You can’t change the switches; the user must choose one variant when purchasing.
Manufacturer: Logitech // Dimensions: 31.3 × 13.2 × 2.6 cm (Mini) or 43.4 × 13.2 × 2.6 cm (MX Mechanical) // Weight: 612 g (Mini) / 828 g (MX Mechanical) // Scope of delivery: USB cable, bolt receiver // System requirements: Windows 10 or newer, macOS 10.15 Catalina or newer, iOS/iPadOS 14 or newer, Linux, Android; Bluetooth // Price (manufacturer): 160 € (Mini) / 180 € (MX Mechanical)
Bluetooth pairing with three devices
The keyboard can be paired with up to three devices via Bluetooth, and you can switch between them with a key combination. This can be a Mac, a Windows PC and an iPad, for example. Alternatively, you can connect it to a computer using the supplied USB receiver (“Bolt”). The MX Mechanical Mini is charged via USB-C. Incomprehensibly, the interface does not pass any input on to the Mac. A battery charge should last up to 10 months – but only without key lighting. With key lighting, it has to be charged after around 10 days.
If you install the “Logi Flow” software, you can quickly mute the computer’s microphone in conferences with a button or transfer the contents of the clipboard to other connected PCs and Macs. The MX Mechanical Mini should please users for whom keyboards like Apple’s Magic Keyboard are too flat. If you want interchangeable switches, you should use a Keychron model.
(lbe)