Logitech K750 has Seen the Light

[Hooch Tan]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://hothardware.com/News/Logitech-Debuts-7999-Wireless-Solar-Keyboard-K750/' target='_blank'>http://hothardware.com/News/Logitec...-Keyboard-K750/</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"The Wireless Solar Keyboard K750 is the company's first keyboard designed to be powered entirely by ambient light. That means that you can just use ambient, extra light in your office to power it; you don't need to be under direct sunlight. This is definitely a major step forward for keyboards, and it will be difficult to see too many companies ignoring this going forward."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1288717041.usr20447.jpg" style="border: 0px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>Okay, I am going to say it.&nbsp; Why did I not think of this?&nbsp; It seems obvious now, especially when I think of all the calculators that are solar powered.&nbsp; I could argue that maybe I thought that keyboards required more power than what solar cells could provide, but then again, we have keyboards that can last months, if not years on a single set of batteries.&nbsp; I do not know if a solar powered mouse would work, since those can be covered up by the hand, but it is an intruiging possibility.&nbsp; One thing of note though; the keyboard uses Logitech's new Unifying Receiver.&nbsp; This is great as it saves USB ports, but if someone does go the all Logitech route, are they going to have several spare receivers just kicking around?</p>

[Jason Dunn]

Pretty cool device! I wonder though if Logitech could put a few R&D dollars into putting a coating on the keys so they wouldn't wear out so fast? I use nothing but Logitech keyboards, and the Logitech Wave keyboard on my primary workstation is less than a year old...and it already has two keys that have basically lost their characters! I mean, seriously, if there's one thing you NEED to get right as a keyboard company, it's the whole "letters on the keyboard" thing. :confused:

[ptyork]

You don't need solar for either of these devices. Just some means of "harvesting" the mechanical motion that we provide through daily use. Just a simple flywheel actuated by pressing the space bar would be plenty on the keyboard. Something akin to the mechanism in a self winding watch should work for the mouse. The amount of electricity required to charge these things is minuscule. The only question I'd think would be cost-benefit. I'm not sure the break-even point for even these solar panels vs. one AA battery every year or so, but I'd imagine it is in the tens of years at least.

[Jason Dunn]

I'm not sure the break-even point for even these solar panels vs. one AA battery every year or so, but I'd imagine it is in the tens of years at least.

This keyboard doesn't seem to be much more expensive than what I'd expect to pay for a Logitech wireless keyboard, so I don't think it's like paying $10,000 more for a car to save $500 a year on gas. :D For me at least, there's a benefit to not having to think about having batteries around to swap out...

[Hooch Tan]

Pretty cool device! I wonder though if Logitech could put a few R&D dollars into putting a coating on the keys so they wouldn't wear out so fast? I use nothing but Logitech keyboards, and the Logitech Wave keyboard on my primary workstation is less than a year old...and it already has two keys that have basically lost their characters! I mean, seriously, if there's one thing you NEED to get right as a keyboard company, it's the whole "letters on the keyboard" thing. :confused:

I think that seems to depend on what kind of labeling they use. I have noticed a difference between different levels of their keyboards. I use an EX110 (Read: Low end) keyboard at work, and half of the keys are worn with maybe 4 or 5 that are worn off completely. Luckily, I know what they are. :) In contrast, I had a Logitech DiNovo (original) keyboard that used to be their premium level keyboard and all the keys remained perfect after 6 years of steady 6-8 hour a day use. In fact, its bluetooth receiver failed instead of the keys wearing out. I've found the same with the MX5500 I'm using right now. Maybe they already have a coating and just choose to not use it on some models?

As for the cost benefit issue, not having to worry about swapping batteries is a relief. There does appear to be some sort of battery in there though, for which I wonder what's the lifespan of that? Using the mechanical energy created is a nice idea, and the technology (miniaturized) does exist. I'm guessing that it just isn't commercially viable yet.

[Jason Dunn]

I've found the same with the MX5500 I'm using right now. Maybe they already have a coating and just choose to not use it on some models?

Could be, but the Logitech Wave keyboard + mouse combos that I buy were, up until recently, $120 or so. Looks like they're $80 now. For that price, I'd hope to get a decent key coating, ya know? :D

Using the mechanical energy created is a nice idea, and the technology (miniaturized) does exist. I'm guessing that it just isn't commercially viable yet.

Yeah, I'm sure it's not that no one has thought of it - it must simply be too expensive to implement currently.

[Hooch Tan]

Could be, but the Logitech Wave keyboard + mouse combos that I buy were, up until recently, $120 or so. Looks like they're $80 now. For that price, I'd hope to get a decent key coating, ya know? :D

I know what you mean. You could always get those high contrast keyboard stickers to replace them. As long as you don't mind neon-green as your colour scheme...

[Hooch Tan]

Taking a closer look at the keyboards I have, the ones that haven't worn down do appear to have some sort of coating over the letters, or at least I can see something that overlays on top of them.

As for the Logitech Wave you have Jason, thinking about it, it is not like the Wave is one of their "value" brands. It really should have some sort of covering on it. I can understand keyboards that cost $10-20, but the Wave is well above that.