Ergonomic keyboard in the test: Logitech also fulfills small wishes

With the Ergo K860 keyboard, Logitech has released an ergonomic keyboard after a long time. We have it with the Surface Ergonomic keyboard from Microsoft compared that we liked. The technical features of the Logitech keyboard already suggested that Microsoft had to give in to the new launch. This was confirmed in the test.

Also the Ergo K860 has the typical structure of an ergonomic keyboard: the letter field is divided in the middle and the respective key areas are slightly rotated. This allows the left and right hand to lie as straight as possible on the keyboard, there is no strong flexion of the wrists, which is easy on the wrists. The middle area is usually slightly raised to provide additional support.

This type of keyboard is primarily aimed at people who write using the ten-finger system. If you do not master this, you will not be able to make friends with an ergonomic keyboard, or only with difficulty. When typing blindly, it is important that the keys are in the usual place. Fortunately, Logitech follows the Microsoft model. There are no inappropriate changes to the button layout.

Logitech remains with the normal button layout

Above all, the function block above the cursor keys is often reassigned or even completely omitted. This means that texts can be navigated without using the mouse to work as efficiently as possible. The function block for control within applications can also be helpful. If this key area is reassigned, it will be very tedious to adapt to it even after years, like our experience with Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard show that the key assignment has changed and blind operation is therefore significantly more difficult.

We welcome Logitech’s decision to use chiclet buttons with rubber dome switches, which relieves typing. Because the fingers have to move less due to the shorter stroke than with mechanical keys. The clearly defined pressure point supports the pleasant writing experience. The keyboard does not make a lot of noise and always rests non-slip and stable on the table.

Logitech’s Ergo K860 keyboard (Image: Daniel Pook / Golem.de)

With all this, the hands rest when writing on the wrist rest firmly connected to the keyboard, which is made of a slightly rough material and prevents the hands from slipping away. The area is comfortably padded, not too soft, but not too hard either. The trough between the keyboard and the palm rest is not so well done, because over time it will inevitably collect dirt that is difficult to remove. In this aspect, we like Microsoft’s approach of having the palm rest connected flat to the keyboard.

Logitech keyboard can be raised at the front

In contrast to the Microsoft competition, the Logitech product offers the possibility to fold up the keyboard at the front. Anyone who has not yet dealt with such ergonomic keyboards will stop here, but that’s the best that such a keyboard can offer.