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Logitech
- Portable keyboards make it much easier to work productively on your phone or tablet.
- The Logitech Keys-To-Go (from $48.38) is a rechargeable, wireless Bluetooth keyboard that lets you start typing away in under a minute.
- It's ultra-light and thin, comfortable to type on, easy to clean, and surprisingly quiet. It also comes with a stand for your devices.
With a phone or tablet in hand, you can get work done any time and anywhere. During the few hours you're held captive on your flight, you're free to edit your essay, draft an important email, or work on the last-minute presentation you were just assigned.
The only drawback of this situation is the small screen and typing surface. For short writing tasks, these limitations aren't fully realized, but if you want to get significant work done, you'll wish you had a keyboard. Instead of packing a bulky, heavy laptop, it's better to bring along a wireless keyboard. They usually cost under $100 and are a light, portable substitute for a real keyboard.
Logitech's Keys-To-Go is a wireless Bluetooth keyboard that should be on every business traveler or busy student's carry-on because of its comfortable feel, light and thin build, and reliable connection. We confirmed these benefits while testing the Keys-To-Go ourselves.
Logitech
Specs of the Keys-To-Go
With other essentials also fighting for a coveted position in your backpack or carry-on, it's important to consider the size and weight of your tech accessories. In that respect, the Keys-To-Go is a no-brainer to bring along. It measures 9.5" x 5.4" and is only 0.24" thick, so you can slip it easily into a backpack or purse compartment. Meanwhile, it weighs a little over 6 oz., a nearly-negligible amount.
While there are other wireless keyboards on the market that are smaller, their keyboard formatting usually suffers as a result of the focus on size. The Keys-To-Go features a full keyboard with keys that aren't squished together, so your fingers rest and type naturally and comfortably. You'll find all the standard keys and functions, including playback and sound controls, and it even has arrow keys, meaning you won't have to shift your typing behavior every time you want to use this keyboard.
There are two versions, one for iOS and one for Android/Windows. Make sure you get the one that matches up with your device so you'll get full use out of the keyboard's distinct functions.
The keyboard is available in four colors, a standard black as well as gray, blue, and pink. For the practical personality, black or gray will do just fine, while aesthetics-minded shoppers will appreciate the blue and pink options.
Setting up the Keys-To-Go
Setting up the Keys-To-Go takes less than a minute. Simply hold down the Bluetooth key on the keyboard until it starts blinking and searching for nearby devices, then connect your phone or tablet. I had no problem with connecting the devices and could start typing right away. If you've had any experience with Bluetooth wireless accessories, then this set up will be second nature to you.
Logitech
What the Keys-T0-Go is like to use and how it's different from other models
A common complaint about keyboards - most keyboards, not just wireless ones - is that they're click-y and loud. In an office environment where everyone else is also typing away, you might not notice this, but in a library or red-eye flight, every key press can be an annoying disturbance. To save your fellow seatmates from listening to your frantic typing, the Keys-To-Go has soft, cushioned keys that still give you the tactile satisfaction of typing, but without the noise. They're not 100% silent, but are noticeably less disruptive than a traditional keyboard.
The lack of deep, inset keys is also good news for anyone who snacks while working or is prone to messiness. Crumbs won't get stuck between the keys, and it's easy to wipe down the entire surface with just a few swipes. The keyboard isn't water-proof, but it is water-repellent and won't fizzle out after an accidental spill.
It comes with an attachable stand to rest your phone or tablet, which is a nice add-on to have if you don't have a phone case with a stand. The stand inserts tightly into the keyboard and holds your device securely the whole time.
As you use your keyboard, you'll be able to keep track of its battery life via the battery life indicator in the upper corner. A single charge (through a USB charging cable) lasts three months, assuming you're using it for about two hours a day. While this design does mean you have yet another tech accessory to charge, the strong battery life saves you from having to dig out the charging cable too often, and the rechargeable aspect is both more sustainable and less bulky than using batteries.
Potential concerns
One potentially inconvenient feature of the Keys-To-Go is that the attachable stand may not accommodate your device if you have a case on it. I have a fairly thin case on my phone, and it was able to fit in the stand while in portrait orientation, but it couldn't while in landscape orientation. You'll either have to take your case off each time, or forego the included stand and find another way to prop your device up.
The bottom line
It's not always necessary to bring your laptop along for the ride. In those situations, the Logitech Keys-To-Go is a near-perfect companion to your phone or tablet if you need to type anything up. It's impressively thin and light, so it won't take up much space in your bag, and typing on it is both quiet and comfortable. Because it connects via Bluetooth and is rechargeable, setting up and maintaining this useful accessory is a breeze.
Shop the Logitech Keys-To-Go wireless keyboard here:
iOS version (Black), from $48.38, available at Amazon and Best Buy
iOS version (all colors), $69.99, available at Logitech
Android/Windows version (Black/Blue), from $40.99, available at Amazon and Best Buy
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