Logitech TK820 Wireless All-in-One Keyboard, Ready For Windows 8
When Logitech revealed its new Wireless All-in-One Keyboard TK820 last month, it immediately caught my eye. After upgrading my home theater PC to Windows 8, I've often thought it would be nice to take advantage of some of the new gesture controls while browsing the web and using my HTPC from the comfort of my couch. I looked at keyboards a little bit after upgrading but hadn't found quite what I wanted so I put the idea of getting a different keyboard on hold. When I was given the chance to test the TK820 for myself, I jumped at the opportunity and hoped this could be the keyboard I had been searching for.
To give the TK820 a full test, I used it with both my desktop PC and my HTPC. Getting the TK820 set up on my desktop PC was especially easy since I already had one of Logitech's unifying receivers connected to my PC for use with my everyday keyboard. To use the TK820 with my desktop, I simply connected it to the receiver and I was ready to go. The setup process with my HTPC was only slightly more involved since I had to plug in the unifying receiver and download Logitech's SetPoint software. In both instances, I was up and running in a matter of minutes.
Since I use my desktop and HTPC for different purposes, I noticed different things about the keyboard depending on where I was using it. While using the TK820 with my desktop for instance, I found myself missing the traditional End, Page Up, and Page Down keys. I also missed the number pad when using the TK820 with my desktop. During the first few days with the TK820 connected to my desktop, I found myself hitting the FN key instead of Ctrl because of where it's located on the left side of the keyboard. I eventually adjusted to this placement and it became a non-issue after a couple days.
When using the TK820 with my HTPC, I loved having a large touchpad that was built in to the keyboard. The TK820 fit comfortably in my lap while sitting on the couch and I never felt like I was using one of those awkward "compact" keyboards that tried to cram too many keys into a small space. Interestingly, the things I missed when using the TK820 with my desktop were completely unimportant when using the TK820 with my HTPC. I scroll more often than using Page Up/Down keys and I rarely use the number pad when I'm using my HTPC. As a result, the TK820 was perfectly suited for use with my HTPC.
The TK820's touchpad accepts up to 13 Windows 8 gestures including the zoom and swipe gestures I'm accustomed to using on my tablets. With both computers, I really loved the gesture controls and often used the scrolling, show/hide desktop, snap windows, and minimize/maximize commands.
Typing on the TK820 is very comfortable even though the keyboard is slightly more compact than the desktop keyboard I'm accustomed to using day in and day out. The TK820 features Logitech Incurve keys with rounded edges and the Logitech PerfectStroke key system.
Logitech's PerfectStroke key system was designed to give you the best combination of a laptop and standalone keyboard. PerfectStroke keyboards utilize a scissor-key mechanism similar to those found on a laptop keyboard that distributes typing pressure evenly across the key surfaces. With the PerfectStroke key system, you also get a key travel that's closer to what you'd find on a roomy desktop keyboard. To be more specific, notebook keyboards feature a travel of 2.2 mm while desktop keyboards have the more comfortable key travel of 3.5 mm to 4 mm. PerfectStroke keyboards such as the TK820 feature a 3.2 mm key travel. After typing on the TK820 for many hours, I felt the keyboard was as comfortable to use as my trusty desktop keyboard that I've used for over three years.
As I mentioned earlier, the TK820 uses Logitech's tiny Unifying 2.4GHz wireless receiver. This receiver supports a range up to 33 feet. During my tests, I had no problems connecting to the PC from my couch and never experienced a delay or loss of connectivity. You can connect up to six compatible mice and keyboards to one receiver.
The TK820 uses four AA batteries which come preinstalled in the keyboard. My everyday desktop keyboard is a Logitech K800 that I've come to love. Given my positive experience with the longevity of the rechargeable battery in the K800, I was a bit disappointed the TK820 didn't feature the same rechargeable battery. However, I suppose this is a small drawback especially if the TK820 lives up to Logitech's claim that the keyboard will last for up to 6 months on a set of batteries.
I had a very positive experience with the TK820 wireless all-in-one keyboard. Although I'm not ready to give up my number pad and traditional mouse at my desktop for the cool features of the TK820, this keyboard is exactly what I've been looking for to use with my HTPC. Given its compact all-in-one design, the TK820 would also be great for use with an all-in-one PC or other area where you want to conserve space. For a couple weeks now, my old HTPC keyboard has been sitting on a shelf and I don't see that changing anytime soon. The TK820 has taken its place and I would have a hard time going back to the old keyboard.
