Logitech Signature Slim Solar+ K980 solar powered keyboard review: Ray-markable

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There have been plenty of rumours on the web recently predicting some big updates to Logitech’s MX range of keyboards and mice. However, the company took a swerve in an unexpected direction when it announced the new Signature Slim Solar+ keyboard (which also goes by the model number K980).

As the name suggests, the Slim Solar+ is a solar-powered keyboard that, according to Logitech, means “you never have to worry about charging again”.

There are three versions of the Slim Solar+ available, starting at $99.99/£99.99 for the ‘Universal’ version that we review here, which is designed for use with most types of computers and mobile devices. You can also pair it with three different devices and quickly switch between devices as required.

Logitech also plans to release a ‘For Mac’ version at the same price, although this will only be available in North America, along with a ‘Business’ version that includes Logitech’s Bolt USB wireless adaptor to provide an alternative to Bluetooth, for $109.99/£109.99. For other options take a look at our Best Mac Keyboards round up.

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Solar Power

The Slim Solar+ looks fairly conventional at first glance, with a low-profile design similar to the company’s MX range of keyboards and Apple’s own Magic keyboards. It’s a full-size keyboard with a top row of Function keys, separate Navigation keys and numeric keypad.

Its plastic casing doesn’t feel as sturdy as the metal-clad MX keyboard, but it’s solid enough to cope with general day-to-day use sitting on your desk in an office.

The keys on the Slim Solar+ also use a scissor-switch mechanism rather than the lifeless plastic membranes used in some low-profile keyboards. As a result, the keys feel firm and responsive when typing, and they travel well, so the Slim Solar+ will allow you to type up a storm when you’re facing a deadline.

Our only complaint about the design is that the keyboard lies very flat on your desk – the back edge is raised slightly, but there’s no way to adjust the angle of the keyboard for people (like me) who prefer the keyboard to be raised a little higher off the desk.

But, of course, the star of the show is Logitech’s solar energy tech, which it calls LightCharge. There’s an extra section to the keyboard, just above the Function keys, that houses a light-absorbing sensor. This light strip is recessed a little, and looks like a holder for a pen or stylus, but Logitech prints a warning on the box not to place anything on this strip as it will affect the sensor’s ability to absorb light.

As you’d expect, the sensor can absorb energy from direct sunlight, but it’s also sensitive enough to charge the keyboard from artificial lighting too, such as lamps or over-head lighting in an office.

The light energy is stored by a rechargeable battery inside the keyboard, and Logitech says that once the battery is fully charged it can power the keyboard for four months even if it’s used in complete darkness.

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Seeing The Light

You can check the light level in your office using Logitech’s Options+ app, and the app did initially tell me that the small lamp that sits on my desk wasn’t strong enough to charge the keyboard on a gloomy September morning.

However, turning the overhead light on in my office was enough to start charging the keyboard again, so you don’t need to blind yourself with a spotlight in order to top up the keyboard’s internal battery.

As with Logitech’s MX keyboards, the Options+ app also allows you to reprogram the various Function keys in order to perform commands such as opening specific apps when you start work in the morning. 

The Slim Solar+ does have some limitations, though. There’s no backlight on the keyboard – since, of course, it needs to be used in a fairly bright environment for the solar charging to work.

There’s no option to charge it up using a USB connection either, or to use it in wired mode if the battery does run flat, so some people might still prefer to spend a little extra on one of the more versatile battery-powered MX keyboards.

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Should You Buy The Logitech Signature Slim Solar+?

If having to recharge your keyboard bugs you that much then I’m tempted to suggest that you could just buy a good old-fashioned USB keyboard instead – which would probably be cheaper too. Alternatively, some people might prefer to pay a little extra for the more solidly built Logitech MX keyboard. But, if you like the idea of using sustainable solar energy, along with the ability to pair the keyboard with a variety of different devices, then the Slim Solar+ will earn its keep.