The unique Logitech G915 was a slick-looking, slimline gaming keyboard however with just a few points that, notably looking back, diminished its enchantment. Now Logitech’s again with a brand new model that features higher switches, new keycaps, a thicker aluminum chassis, and extra choices for personalization too. I received my fingers on the brand new Logitech G915 X to see the way it all provides up.
Whereas the unique model of the Logitech G915 could have dropped off our greatest gaming keyboard information, it stays a good little gaming keyboard for those who’re after a low-profile design. Nonetheless, the brand new model is clearly the higher choice for those who’re seeking to improve now, based mostly on our preliminary time with it.
At a look, the Logitech G915 X seems to be remarkably just like the older G915. It sports activities the identical low-profile design, with its white-on-aluminum and black-on-black anodized aluminum colour choices, and its aluminum prime plate curving across the edges of the keyboard to kind a rounded-edged profile. It seems to be sensible, although it lacks the actually premium smooth look and customisation that may be achieved with even higher-end keyboards, such because the Drop CSTM80 and Wonderful GMMK 3.
Crucially, although, Logitech has elevated the thickness of the aluminum on this new model, from 1.2.mm to 1.5.mm. This noticeably boosts the rigidity of the board, making the aluminum really feel much less like a “as a result of aluminum is in trend” token addition and extra of a structural enhancement. It’s nonetheless not a board that rivals the heft of the above alternate options however that is, in spite of everything, a slim keyboard designed to be gentle and transportable.
The keyswitch and keycap setup has additionally been noticeably improved. Not solely do the linear switches really feel noticeably smoother than my reminiscence of the tactile switches used on the unique Logitech G915 I reviewed all these years in the past, however the system used right here goes to be much more helpful for tinkering. Logitech has switched from its “hook-style” stem to a regular cross-style stem, which ought to imply the keycaps are suitable with the broader vary of Cherry MX cross-style keycaps.
You’ll nonetheless have to select from the narrower collection of low-profile keycaps – except you need a distinctly odd-looking low-profile keyboard with high-profile keycaps, however that also leaves a a lot wider choice than the older mannequin.
The included keycaps have additionally improved in high quality, with them now produced from PBT plastic, which is harder-wearing than cheaper ABS. They’re additionally made utilizing the double-shot manufacturing methodology, which suggests the shine-through legends on the keys are shaped from two injection-molded layers of plastic, relatively than the legends simply being printed on the floor of clear plastic. This makes them far more hard-wearing.
What’s extra, not like numerous double-shot PBT keycaps, the shine-through legends (that means you’ll be able to see RGB lighting by means of them) on these keys look crisp and clear. It’s an enchancment on the Logitech G Professional X 60 on this regard.
Logitech has additionally diminished the actuation distance of the keyswitches from 1.5mm to 1.3mm, making the board theoretically really feel snappier, although this wasn’t instantly apparent when testing in isolation. It’s probably a boon, although, as this board seems to be to compete with the newest gaming keyboards that include analog switches the place the actuation level might be totally custom-made, such because the Razer Huntsman V3 Professional.
In the meantime, alongside the highest fringe of the keyboard are the identical further options because the older model, with buttons for wi-fi, Bluetooth (the keyboard additionally has a USB-C connection and a wired-only model is offered), gaming mode, and backlight brightness on the left, and media playback management on the best, together with a smooth-scrolling horizontal wheel. The buttons are the identical, barely disappointing rubber ones used earlier than, however at the very least they’re fairly compact and positively helpful additions. Comparatively, many rivals such because the Wonderful GMMK 3 haven’t any further keys.
One closing key enchancment with this wi-fi keyboard is that Logitech has given battery life a slight enhance. The total-size model of the board has gone from a 30-hour battery life with the backlighting at full brightness to 36 hours, whereas the TKL model proven right here goes from 36 hours to 42 hours. Battery life in supreme circumstances with no lighting and utilizing Bluetooth can stretch to 800 hours, based on Logitech.
In a world the place analog Corridor Impact and optical switches abound, and players have gotten ever extra accustomed to having intensive entry to finish customization choices, the Logitech G915 X nonetheless feels a contact on the old-school aspect, particularly given Logitech offers no point out of different newer options akin to a excessive polling charge. Nonetheless, the corporate has probably accomplished nearly sufficient to pull the G915 into being a aggressive choice.
For extra of our prime keyboard selections, try our greatest wi-fi gaming keyboard information, which incorporates this mannequin’s predecessor, and remember to try the opposite new bulletins from Logitech’s Logiplay even the place the G915 X was introduced. These embody the brand new G Professional X Superlight 2 Dex and tenth anniversary G502 X aluminum model.
