Endless battery life thanks to solar technology, even with the help of artificial light indoors and in the office. This is the promise of the new Logitech Signature Slim Solar+ K980 office keyboard, which was officially launched at the end of September. We took a closer look at the keyboard in our test.
Technical data
| Product name | Signature Slim Solar+ K980 |
| Switch type | Chiclet |
| Replaceable switch | No |
| Replaceable keycaps | No |
| material | plastic |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 430.8 mm x 142.9 mm x 20.2 mm |
| Onboard memory | 1 profile |
| Cable connection | None |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth; wireless (Logi Bolt) |
| Keycaps | Plastic |
| Operating modes | Typing; Gaming |
| price | € 109.90 * |
Logitech Signature Slim Solar+ K980 Review: Flat and quiet
With the Signature Slim Solar+ K980, Logitech is launching a keyboard whose design is intended to meet the highest demands of modern working environments. Visually, the flat low-profile keyboard is very reminiscent of the manufacturer’s other models, such as the MX Keys series.
The casing has a pleasantly discreet look – clear lines, angular side panels and an all-round slim shape characterize the design. The graphite color scheme is kept in light and dark shades of grey, which creates a sleek look. When it comes to materials, the manufacturer focuses on sustainability:
A significant proportion of the casing is made from recycled plastic, which supports the sustainability claim but in no way detracts from the feel. The surface feels pleasantly soft and solid at the same time. A real eye-catcher is the solar charging strip on the upper edge, which blends harmoniously into the overall look and whose slat structures look very elegant. The K980 scores points with its pleasantly roughened, very non-slip keys.
In terms of dimensions, the K980 is slightly larger than typical keyboards with a full-size layout, but still remains quite mobile. At 430.8 mm, it is comparatively very wide and therefore takes up a lot of space on the desk. However, with a height of 142.9 mm and a depth of 20.2 mm, the keyboard remains quite compact and weighs around 700 grams.
The slim frame construction ensures an elegant look, while the low height without fold-out feet provides a flat angle for the wrist. The build quality leaves nothing to be desired: The keys of the Logitech Signature Slim Solar+ K980 do not wobble and the housing does not give way under pressure.
Features of the K980: Bolt wireless receiver costs extra
The features of the Logitech Signature Slim Solar+ K980 are initially surprising. The low-profile keyboard connects via Bluetooth, allowing it to be paired with up to three devices, which can be switched back and forth via Easy Switch.
A wireless connection via Logi Bolt is theoretically also possible, but the manufacturer does not include the corresponding receiver in the scope of delivery. At least not in the normal version of the keyboard, but in the Business Edition, which costs around 10 euros more. So if you want to use the keyboard wirelessly and are not yet part of the Logitech universe, you will have to buy the Logi Bolt USB receiver separately for around 13.99 euros.
Compatibility with Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iPadOS predestines the keyboard as a control center for mixed environments in the study, office or home office, so that you can switch between devices at any time at the touch of a button.
In addition to solar and multi-device, Logitech has also thought about comfort details: The K980 offers dedicated multimedia keys, shortcuts for locking, brightness, search and adjustable special functions for frequently used commands.
In terms of layout, the manufacturer has opted for a combined design for Windows and macOS with double labeling of the corresponding keys. The row of function keys has a clever dual use: FN switching allows additional actions to be carried out in addition to the classic F1 to F12 assignments. These include brightness adjustment, media control, screenshot function and much more.
Battery life of the Logitech Signature Slim Solar+ K980: No more charging?
Probably the most important feature of the K980 is its solar operation, thanks to which the keyboard theoretically never needs to be charged manually. The solar cell surface continuously charges the battery using sunlight or artificial light.
Important to know: There is neither a battery status display (only within the companion app) nor the option to connect a cable. This means that if, for whatever reason, your own lighting is not sufficient to charge the keyboard, there is no other way to do so.
There is a small, proprietary battery inside the keyboard that supplies the keyboard with power. According to the enclosed instructions, this can be replaced if necessary by removing the screws on the underside, which are hidden under the rubber feet. The battery itself is not actually intended to be replaced and is not easily available as a proprietary solution on the market, which leaves a somewhat bitter aftertaste in terms of sustainability.
However, according to Logitech, the battery should last up to ten years. Fortunately, the solar charging of the Logitech Signature Slim Solar+ K980 works perfectly in practice. Even in my office with a single fluorescent tube (directly above the desk), the keyboard is reliably supplied with energy.
And even if there is no light available, the keyboard is said to run for up to 4 months in complete darkness.
App connection: Logitech Options+
Logitech’s own Options+ app provides the K980 with a few additional functions, although the range of functions is manageable. Almost all keys can be individually programmed via the clear user interface – for example for special characters, complex macro combinations or individual app launches. Profiles and specific device settings can be assigned to the Easy-Switch buttons.
In addition, the battery life can be read off and, at the touch of a button, you can find out whether the light intensity of the room is sufficient to supply the keyboard with power. However, the software does not provide many more options.
Logitech Signature Slim Solar+ K980 in a practical test
In the practical test, the Logitech Signature Slim Solar+ K980 is reminiscent of the manufacturer’s MX Keys series in terms of typing feel and volume and presents itself as a pleasant, flat and very quiet keyboard that not only cuts a good figure in office environments.
The flat, slightly deeper chiclet keys provide a pleasant, clearly defined pressure point and discreet feedback that enables clean releases. The typing feel, also with regard to the key travel, is sometimes very reminiscent of the keyboards of conventional notebooks.
In combination with the fairly large key spacing, this means that frequent typists in particular will have to get used to the K980. In the first few hours, I often found myself making typos because I had blindly pressed the wrong key – also because the K980 is noticeably wider than many full-size keyboards.
After a bit of getting used to, however, the typing experience quickly became second nature. Then the Logitech Signature Slim Solar+ K980 started to convince me in terms of typing characteristics.
Switching and connecting to several end devices – such as a laptop, tablet and smartphone – went quickly and smoothly during the test. When the working environment changes, one press of the Easy-Switch button is enough for immediate readiness for use on the other device.
The only point of criticism worth mentioning is the lack of backlighting. Anyone who often works in dim lighting or at night will notice the lack of illuminated keys. Beyond that, the K980 doesn’t do much differently to other flat keyboards from Logitech.
I wouldn’t replace my mechanical keyboard with it, neither for writing nor for gaming, although the practical impression is still good to very good. Also worth mentioning is the use of fairly cheap keycaps, which could presumably wear out quite quickly – although this was not a problem during the test period.
Logitech Signature Slim Solar+ K980 Review: Conclusion
With the Logitech Signature Slim Solar+ K980, the manufacturer delivers a good office keyboard, which stands out from the competition primarily due to its solar charging technology and therefore, in theory, never needs to be charged manually. However, due to the lack of a USB port, it cannot do this at all.
Why the keyboard was not at least equipped with a cable connection remains just as incomprehensible to me as the unnecessarily complicated (and not actually intended) replacement of the battery or the lack of a USB receiver.
Nevertheless, the keyboard impresses with a pleasant, precise and whisper-quiet typing experience. Apart from this, however, the Logitech Signature Slim Solar+ K980 offers little to set it apart from the competition.
- Flat and very quiet
- Chiclet keys with good feedback
- Many additional keys
- Infinite battery life
- Wireless receiver not included
- No USB connection
- Wireless receiver costs extra
- Battery difficult to replace
- No lighting
- Angle not adjustable
Logitech Signature Slim Solar+ K980
Workmanship
Features
Ergonomics
Software
Value For Money
85/100
Flat and very quiet office keyboard with good key feedback, but a manageable range of functions and some questionable design decisions.
