Review Logitech MK850 Performance: Good quality multi-device peripherals!

Review Logitech MK850 Performance: Good quality multi-device peripherals!
Rating

Do you type on multiple computers and devices? Do you want fewer cables on your desk and prefer using a wireless keyboard and mouse? Then, you should consider the Logitech MK850 Performance wireless keyboard and mouse kit. This combo's superpower is that you can use it with up to three different devices wirelessly, using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. If you are curious about this kit, and you want to see whether the Logitech MK850 Performance is a good buy for you, read this review:

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Logitech MK850 Performance: Who is it good for?

This keyboard and mouse kit is an excellent choice for people who:

  • Want fewer cables and prefer wireless accessories
  • Need to work and switch fast between different computers or devices
  • Want an ergonomic keyboard and a mouse of good quality
  • Need a personalizable mouse and keyboard

Pros and cons

The Logitech MK850 Performance kit has the following strengths:

  • You can easily switch among three different devices
  • It works with Windows, Mac, Chrome OS, iOS and Android
  • It supports both Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless connections
  • The kit has a minimalistic design which most users are going to appreciate
  • The build quality is above average
  • Both the keyboard and the mouse are ergonomically shaped
  • Comfortable to use even for longer work sessions
  • Both the mouse and the keyboard are personalizable

There are some negatives to consider too:

  • The keys on the keyboard feel squishy
  • The kit is pricier than others from other brands
  • The wrist rest is not detachable
  • No backlight for the keyboard
Product rating 4/5

Verdict

Logitech MK850 Performance is a versatile kit for business users who use multiple computers and devices on their desks. It has all the features you would expect, including the option to work with up to three PCs or devices simultaneously. The only important missing feature is the backlight for the keyboard. The build quality is above average, and both the mouse and the keyboard are comfortable to use. If you do not mind the price of this kit, you are going to be satisfied with what it has to offer.

Unboxing the Logitech MK850 Performance wireless keyboard and mouse combo

Logitech MK850 Performance arrives in a box made of premium cardboard. The background color is dark matte gray and, on the upper side of the package, you can see a large picture of the keyboard and the mouse, printed in glossy colors.

The package of the Logitech MK850 Performance
The package of the Logitech MK850 Performance

On the back and sides of the box, you can read more details about the specifications and main features of the keyboard and mouse, including the fact that both of them are compatible with Windows, Mac, Chrome OS, and Android. The keyboard is also officially compatible with iOS 5 or later.

Logitech MK850 Performance - The bottom side of the box
Logitech MK850 Performance - The bottom side of the box

Inside the box, there's the keyboard wrapped in a plastic bag, the mouse tucked under a plastic cover, a Logitech unifying receiver, which you can use if you want to connect the devices via Wi-Fi instead of Bluetooth, a USB extender cable, and a document with safety instructions and warranty details. Underneath the keyboard, you also find instructions for how to connect the keyboard and mouse to your computers and devices.

Logitech MK850 Performance - What is inside the box
Logitech MK850 Performance - What is inside the box

The unboxing experience is pleasant. The package looks and feels well made. Inside the box, you have all the accessories you need for using the kit.

Hardware specifications

The Logitech MK850 Performance wireless keyboard and mouse kit includes the Logitech K850 keyboard and the Logitech M720 Triathlon mouse. The keyboard has membrane keys and an ergonomic design. It weighs 1.62 lbs (733 grams) and is 0.98 inches (25 mm) thick, 17 inches (430 mm) long, and 8.27 inches (210 mm) wide.

The Logitech K850 Performance keyboard
The Logitech K850 Performance keyboard

The Logitech M720 Triathlon mouse is rather small: 2.0 inches (45 mm) x 3.0 inches (74 mm) x 5.0 inches (115 mm) in height x width x depth. However, its weight is respectable: 4.7 ounces or 135 grams - not too much for a desktop mouse, but heavier than a regular laptop mouse.

The Logitech M720 Triathlon mouse
The Logitech M720 Triathlon mouse

Among the interesting features of the mouse, are the sensor resolution of 1000 dpi, the fact that it has an optical sensor, and 8 personalizable buttons.

Both the mouse and the keyboard connect via Bluetooth or a 2.4 GHz wireless connection, at a maximum range of 32 feet or 10 meters. If you intend to connect them to your computers or devices using Wi-Fi, you need to use the bundled 2.4 GHz unifying receiver or buy an additional receiver from Logitech.

The Logitech 2.4GHz wireless unifying receiver
The Logitech 2.4GHz wireless unifying receiver

The keyboard has an autonomy of up to 36 months and the mouse of up to 24 months. Two AA batteries provide the energy for the keyboard and one AAA battery for the mouse. All the required batteries are already inserted, and they're made by Duracell.

If you want to read more about all the features and technical aspects of the Logitech MK850 Performance wireless keyboard and mouse combo, check its web page.

The hardware specs of the MK850 keyboard and mouse combo are what you would expect from a wireless kit. They do not stand out when compared with similar products from other brands.

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Using the Logitech M720 Triathlon multi-device mouse

The Logitech M720 Triathlon is an average sized mouse that is taller than most mice. Its size should fit any type of hand. Furthermore, the tall back of the mouse keeps your hand in a comfortable position, thus helping you work for long hours if you need to.

Holding the Logitech M720 Triathlon mouse
Holding the Logitech M720 Triathlon mouse

The back of the mouse is covered in a rubberized coating that feels silky to the touch. While using this mouse, we appreciated the fact that the coating managed to keep our hands dry, not dripping sweat. 🙂

The Logitech M720 Triathlon mouse
The Logitech M720 Triathlon mouse

The Logitech M720 Triathlon mouse has eight buttons on it, which took us a little by surprise as we generally expect to see so many buttons only on gaming mice. Besides the two left and right click buttons, there's the scroll wheel, a third button beneath the wheel, and four additional buttons on the left side, three at the top of your thumb and one at the bottom.

The buttons on the Logitech M720 Triathlon mouse
The buttons on the Logitech M720 Triathlon mouse

By default, the left side buttons are used for the forward and back functions, and for switching the paired computer or device. In Windows 10, the side button from the bottom is used to show the Timeline, but you can change the action associated with it using the Logitech Options software.

View of the side buttons on the Logitech M720 Triathlon mouse
View of the side buttons on the Logitech M720 Triathlon mouse

The scroll wheel looks like it's made of aluminum, and it works great, but Logitech made a mistake in our opinion: it did not clearly document that the scroll wheel has two modes for how it works. It can work in HyperFast mode or regular mode, and switching between the two is done by pressing the middle button beneath it. Laugh if you want, but we did not expect the weird and sometimes funny side effects of the HyperFast mode.

The mouse click feedback is good, the clicking noise is nice, and we did not encounter any missed or accidental clicks. The precision offered by the 1000 dpi optical sensor was good, even though it doesn't compare with that of gaming mice. The Logitech M720 Triathlon follows your commands without jumping or lagging. However, we only used it on 1080p screens, where 1000 dpi is enough. If you intend to use it on 4K screens, the sensor might not be fast enough to be as accurate as you'd like it.

The optical sensor of the Logitech M720 Triathlon mouse
The optical sensor of the Logitech M720 Triathlon mouse

The Logitech M720 Triathlon is a well-built mouse that's comfortable to use for long periods of time.

Using the Logitech K850 Performance wireless keyboard

The first thing you notice about the keyboard is that it has an ergonomic shape. It is not as twisted as typical ergonomic keyboards, but it does have a hump on its middle region.

The Logitech K850 Performance keyboard
The Logitech K850 Performance keyboard

The keys have low profiles, which might please some people but might deter others. The keys are not as low-profile as the ones on laptop keyboards, but they are more undersized than the traditional full-height keys.

View of keys on the Logitech K850 Performance keyboard
View of keys on the Logitech K850 Performance keyboard

The Logitech K850 keyboard uses rubber dome switches, and that means that it is silent. People around you shouldn't be bothered by your typing on this keyboard. However, although we liked its feedback and response in games, we can't say the same thing about typing, and we do a lot of that here at Digital Citizen. Unfortunately, the keys have a pronounced squishy feel, that is not pleasant especially when typing fast.

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However, your hands and wrists should feel good even after prolonged hours of keyboard use. This is a positive consequence of the ergonomically raised shape of the keyboard and its built-in wrist pad. Speaking of which, it is pleasant to the touch, with a soft texture that also does great at helping your hands not sweat. The slightly not-so-positive part is that the wrist pad is not detachable, which can be an issue for people who have small desks and want to save every inch possible.

The Logitech K850 Performance keyboard seen from a side
The Logitech K850 Performance keyboard seen from a side

On the back of the keyboard, we appreciated the fact that there are two pairs of rubber feet on each side of the back edge. They allow you to adjust the height of the keyboard on two different levels, to match your preferences. While looking at the back of the keyboard, we also noticed that some of what we thought initially to be screw holes are actually simple holes, designed to drain accidentally spilled liquids, which is a nice detail.

The bottom of the Logitech K850 Performance keyboard
The bottom of the Logitech K850 Performance keyboard

The keyboard worked flawlessly while we used it, and switching between the three paired devices was fast and easy. We tried it with a Lenovo Legion Y520 laptop, with a desktop PC, and with an Android smartphone. It worked flawlessly with all of them and moving from one to the other was fast: just a press of white 1, 2, 3 keys.

The three switches for the paired devices
The three switches for the paired devices

We enjoyed using the Logitech K850 keyboard. Although it has a few drawbacks like the squishy feeling you get from its keys or the fact that you can't detach the wrist pad, it works well, and its build quality is better than the average.

The Logitech Options software

In Windows, you automatically get the Logitech Options software when the operating system downloads and installs the required drivers for the kit. When you open it, you should see your two peripherals, like this:

Logitech Options home screen
Logitech Options home screen

For the mouse, the Logitech Options software lets you customize the actions associated with its buttons, configure the gestures you want to use, set the pointer speed, and adjust how the scroll wheel works.

The settings available for the Logitech M720 Triathlon mouse
The settings available for the Logitech M720 Triathlon mouse

Additionally, Logitech Options also lets you switch between computers by moving your mouse cursor to the edge of your screen to jump on the next one. It calls it Logitech Flow and all you need to make it work is to install Logitech Options on all the computers on which you want to use it and make sure that they are all connected to the same network.

How Logitech Flow works
How Logitech Flow works

For the Logitech K850 Performance keyboard, the Logitech Options software lets you assign various actions to some of the function keys, and see with which computers or devices it is paired.

The settings available for the Logitech K850 Performance keyboard
The settings available for the Logitech K850 Performance keyboard

The Logitech Options software looks professional and polished and offers all the basic settings for the keyboard and mouse.

Do you like the Logitech MK850 Performance wireless keyboard and mouse combo?

Now you know what we think about the Logitech MK850 Performance wireless keyboard and mouse combo. Before you leave, we would like to know your opinions too about this kit. Do you believe that it has a good value for money ratio?

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