First Impressions : Logitech Cordless Desktop S530 Laser for Mac
I wanted to change to a cordless keyboard because of my home setup, where I more than often get my feet tangled in the keyboard cord. I already had a Logitech MX700 mouse and was really happy with it. I never got used to the Apple mouse.
First impressions. To start, I'm typing this article with the Logitech keyboard on my lap. It feels really nice, and the keys feel a lot like the keybord you find on laptops.
To start, I unpacked everything, unplugged my MX700 receiver, plugged in the S530 receiver (at the back of my iMac G4), took the AA rechargeables from the MX700 and installed them in the S530 Laser mouse. Right away the mouse functionned. Then, I installed the AAA in the keyboard, unplugged the Apple keyboard. Perfect the keyboard worked right away too. I put the AAA rechargeables in the charger ...
So, in less than 5 minutes I was working with the new setup.
Then, configuration, with all those buttons ...
I had already upgraded to the Logitech Control Center to version 1.6.2 back in February when it was released. So it immediately recognized my new keyboard and mouse. For the mouse, the default configuration doesn't need to be modified (for me anyway). For the keyboard, I changed the following :
- The Letter icon to open Mail
- The House icon to connect to my blog
- Set the Cruise arrows (bottom left of the keyboard) to medium speed
- The Magnifier icon to the right sequence to launch Spotlight
and that's it, I'm set.
The Keyboard.
The keyboard is lighter and thinner than the Apple keyboard, 2cm wider and 7.5cm deeper because of the palm rest and the side controls, but fits perfectly on my lap.
Typing away is as easy as any other keyboard, and the keys feel like other professionnal keyboards. Actually, I prefer the feel compared to the Apple keyboard. The arrow pad and the Home/End/PageUp/PageDn/Del keypad need a bit of getting used to but in a day or two it'll be like if I had this keyboard for months.
On good point, the Power button is recessed in the frame so that you can't accidentally depress it. Users with bigger fingers than normal might have problems pressing it.
On the minus side, the Play/Pause, Start and End buttons on top the the iTunes button are only linked to iTunes. Even if you have QuickTime running, they will start iTunes. And they are not customizable. They are not even linked to the iTunes button, I set the iTunes button to start QuickTime, but even then theses 3 buttons absolutely wanted to start iTunes.
UPDATE 2: There is no CAPS LOCK indicator on the keyboard, we'll see if it becomes a problem.
My suggestions to Logitech. Either link these buttons to the iTunes button, or let them affect the current running application if that application understands these buttons (iTunes, QuickTime, VLC, MPlayer, etc... just to name a few).
The Mouse.
What is there more to say than "It's a Logitech". It's my fourth Logitech mouse, and I always was satisfied with them. This one too will, I'm sure, give me great satisfaction. Compared to the MX700, it's a bit ligther and a bit shorter, works great like the previous Logitech's I had, AND since it's a laser mouse, it works a lot better on my black reflecting table. No need for a mouse pad at all. The MX700 was confused by the reflection on the table and I needed a mouse pad to solve the problem.
The mouse wheel is almost silent, compared to the MX700 it's an improvement. I'm not yet accustomed to the side scrolling, but it'll be usefull I'm sure.
The volume buttons fall right under the index when needed.
One small minus point, I will miss the scrolling buttons that were around the scroll wheel. With the MX700, I mostly used the down scrolling button (its logo has completely vanished !!!)
Energy.
Since, I just got it today, I can't say much on that point, but they advertise (on the box) that the alcalines supplied can last more than 6 months. It's a big improvement on the week or two I was getting with the MX700 and NiMH 1500 setup. I put the same 1500mA NiMH in the S530 mouse and we'll see what we get ! Furthermore, if I manage not to forget to turn off the mouse (yes, you can turn off the mouse by maintaining the connect button depressed for a while), I should get at least a month of mouse activity. For the keyboard, I have a set of AAA 900mA NiMH charging. I'll put them in tomorrow.
Looks.
Well, the silver palm rest and mouse buttons look perfect. The two side function button pads are set in a brilliant plastic frame. The rest of the keyboard is set in a mat plastic frame. Well assembled, no defects at all. Hopefully the black Logitech logos won't wear off too fast !
Conclusion.
Great keyboard
Great mouse
Great look
Must buy, specially for those buying a Mac Mini !!
I paid 79 € at CLG Informatique in France.
UPDATE 1:
4 hours after installation, I just realized that it would have been nice to have an iCal button and an Address Book button. There is enough space between the Letter icon and the House icon for them !!!
On the usability side, the volume up/down button come in real handy when watching videos/movies.
First impressions. To start, I'm typing this article with the Logitech keyboard on my lap. It feels really nice, and the keys feel a lot like the keybord you find on laptops.
To start, I unpacked everything, unplugged my MX700 receiver, plugged in the S530 receiver (at the back of my iMac G4), took the AA rechargeables from the MX700 and installed them in the S530 Laser mouse. Right away the mouse functionned. Then, I installed the AAA in the keyboard, unplugged the Apple keyboard. Perfect the keyboard worked right away too. I put the AAA rechargeables in the charger ...
So, in less than 5 minutes I was working with the new setup.
Then, configuration, with all those buttons ...
I had already upgraded to the Logitech Control Center to version 1.6.2 back in February when it was released. So it immediately recognized my new keyboard and mouse. For the mouse, the default configuration doesn't need to be modified (for me anyway). For the keyboard, I changed the following :
- The Letter icon to open Mail
- The House icon to connect to my blog
- Set the Cruise arrows (bottom left of the keyboard) to medium speed
- The Magnifier icon to the right sequence to launch Spotlight
and that's it, I'm set.
The Keyboard.
The keyboard is lighter and thinner than the Apple keyboard, 2cm wider and 7.5cm deeper because of the palm rest and the side controls, but fits perfectly on my lap.
Typing away is as easy as any other keyboard, and the keys feel like other professionnal keyboards. Actually, I prefer the feel compared to the Apple keyboard. The arrow pad and the Home/End/PageUp/PageDn/Del keypad need a bit of getting used to but in a day or two it'll be like if I had this keyboard for months.
On good point, the Power button is recessed in the frame so that you can't accidentally depress it. Users with bigger fingers than normal might have problems pressing it.
On the minus side, the Play/Pause, Start and End buttons on top the the iTunes button are only linked to iTunes. Even if you have QuickTime running, they will start iTunes. And they are not customizable. They are not even linked to the iTunes button, I set the iTunes button to start QuickTime, but even then theses 3 buttons absolutely wanted to start iTunes.
UPDATE 2: There is no CAPS LOCK indicator on the keyboard, we'll see if it becomes a problem.
My suggestions to Logitech. Either link these buttons to the iTunes button, or let them affect the current running application if that application understands these buttons (iTunes, QuickTime, VLC, MPlayer, etc... just to name a few).
The Mouse.
What is there more to say than "It's a Logitech". It's my fourth Logitech mouse, and I always was satisfied with them. This one too will, I'm sure, give me great satisfaction. Compared to the MX700, it's a bit ligther and a bit shorter, works great like the previous Logitech's I had, AND since it's a laser mouse, it works a lot better on my black reflecting table. No need for a mouse pad at all. The MX700 was confused by the reflection on the table and I needed a mouse pad to solve the problem.
The mouse wheel is almost silent, compared to the MX700 it's an improvement. I'm not yet accustomed to the side scrolling, but it'll be usefull I'm sure.
The volume buttons fall right under the index when needed.
One small minus point, I will miss the scrolling buttons that were around the scroll wheel. With the MX700, I mostly used the down scrolling button (its logo has completely vanished !!!)
Energy.
Since, I just got it today, I can't say much on that point, but they advertise (on the box) that the alcalines supplied can last more than 6 months. It's a big improvement on the week or two I was getting with the MX700 and NiMH 1500 setup. I put the same 1500mA NiMH in the S530 mouse and we'll see what we get ! Furthermore, if I manage not to forget to turn off the mouse (yes, you can turn off the mouse by maintaining the connect button depressed for a while), I should get at least a month of mouse activity. For the keyboard, I have a set of AAA 900mA NiMH charging. I'll put them in tomorrow.
Looks.
Well, the silver palm rest and mouse buttons look perfect. The two side function button pads are set in a brilliant plastic frame. The rest of the keyboard is set in a mat plastic frame. Well assembled, no defects at all. Hopefully the black Logitech logos won't wear off too fast !
Conclusion.
Great keyboard
Great mouse
Great look
Must buy, specially for those buying a Mac Mini !!
I paid 79 € at CLG Informatique in France.
UPDATE 1:
4 hours after installation, I just realized that it would have been nice to have an iCal button and an Address Book button. There is enough space between the Letter icon and the House icon for them !!!
On the usability side, the volume up/down button come in real handy when watching videos/movies.
posted by R. at 20:05
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