Logitech Alto Keys K98M Mechanical Keyboard: A Comprehensive Review

The Logitech Alto Keys K98M mechanical keyboard: is a new and distinctive addition to the keyboard market. Unlike traditional membrane keyboards, mechanical keyboards feature individual physical switches under each key. These switches consist of moving parts, including a spring and a stem, which activate when the key is pressed, providing a more responsive, durable, and satisfying typing experience, often preferred by gamers and typing enthusiasts (Sources: Elecrow, Lenovo, Corsair, Mechanical Keyboards, Powder.gg). The Logitech Alto Keys K98M keyboard offers features often found in mechanical keyboards from smaller, specialized brands, but it comes at a slightly higher price. This keyboard is now available in North America after its initial launch in China and other selected markets for $149.99 USD.

Design and Core Features

K98M Design: The Logitech Alto Keys K98M keyboard features a compact 1800-class, near full-size layout, retaining the essential numpad. What distinguishes the K98M as a Logitech mass-market keyboard is its full hot-swappable support for Cherry MX-compatible switches and its use of an internal gasket mount for a semi-soft and comfortable typing experience. Logitech appears to draw these advanced ideas from the enthusiast mechanical keyboard community.

Alto Keys Features: The Alto Keys keyboard comes with a sleek two-piece plastic case, combining a translucent top part with an opaque bottom part color-matched to the included keycaps. The keyboard is available in attractive colorways such as white, dark gray, and lavender, and features white backlighting and high-quality translucent PBT keycaps. This minimalist and clean design targets a wide range of users. Among its prominent specifications and features are its long battery life of up to 12 months (with white backlighting off) and multi-device wireless connectivity via Bluetooth / Logi Bolt. It is also compatible with a wide range of operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, iOS / iPadOS, and Android.

User Experience and Customization

Enjoyable User Experience: During the review period, the Alto Keys keyboard provided an enjoyable user experience in terms of look, sound, and typing feel. The translucent plastic case and visible internal gasket mount give the keyboard a light and open design. This design is particularly charming in the tested lavender colorway, while the more traditional dark gray and white models look equally clean and elegant. These colors offer greater flexibility in appearance if you wish to install custom keycaps. Customization extends further, as you can hot-swap switches with thousands of other options for a unique and personalized sound and feel.

Software and Limited Customization Options

Logitech Software Experience: However, the Logitech software experience is different. The Logi Options Plus application is easy to use and provides an attractive user interface for basic settings such as backlighting levels, timeout, and automatic battery-saving mode, and displays on-screen pop-ups when adjusting brightness or volume, reminiscent of Mac devices. However, the keyboard adjustments available through the software are very limited. For example, only the alternate functions for 12 keys on the F-row can be customized. In contrast, cheaper mechanical keyboards that use open-source software like QMK and VIA offer much greater flexibility, allowing almost any key to be remapped to any function (Source: Mechanical Keyboards).

Typing Performance and Sound

Keycap Design: The transparent keycap legends may not be as clear as standard legends, but they remain visually appealing. One advantage of the transparent plastic casing is its modern and enjoyable aesthetic.

LEDs and Switches: North-facing LEDs are less preferred than south-facing ones in mechanical keyboards, as they can cause compatibility issues with some aftermarket keycaps. As for Logitech Marble switches, they might seem understated, but they offer a pleasant and comfortable sound and feel when typing.

Typing Experience and Sound: The Alto Keys keyboard doesn't have a huge, bold, or unique sound like custom enthusiast mechanical keyboards with metal cases from smaller brands, but it still provides a pleasant typing experience. It features a subtle and audible sound that isn't too loud, making it acceptable in most office environments except the quietest ones. With its light and open design, the Alto keyboard is comfortable on the fingers. The pre-installed Logitech Marble switches offer a smooth linear travel of 3.5mm and a sufficient actuation force of 40 grams, making them neither too heavy nor too light with each keypress. The UniCushion gasket under the switches provides a touch of flexibility and responsiveness when pressed firmly, while maintaining a core rigidity, so the board doesn't feel too soft or "mushy."

Conclusion and Competition

Overall Conclusion: Overall, I am impressed with the Alto Keys keyboard, and I hope to see more enthusiast-inspired features appear in future Logitech products, especially translucent designs, as they add a pleasing aesthetic touch. But at $150 USD, this keyboard competes with better options from readily available mechanical keyboards from smaller brands (many of which have been compiled in recent buying guides). Many of these options, such as those from Epomaker, Wobkey, Chilkey, and others, offer a lower price with broader software customization and higher quality materials (especially if you prefer metal cases). And if plastic cases are not a hindrance, alternatives from Keychron or a brand like Aula can cost about half the price.

Future Aspirations: Nevertheless, the Logitech Alto Keys K98M is the first interesting mechanical keyboard I've tried from Logitech in a while, and I'm excited to see more. Perhaps next time Logitech could offer an Alto Keys K75M at 75 percent, to cater to those who don't use numpads.