When I think about the choices we make with regards to Keyboards and mice: what I use and why, I am reminded of learning to drive. My driving instructor used to tell me that he could not understand why people did not care for their tyres. He could not understand why people favoured cheap and poor quality tyres. People will spend tens of thousands of pounds on their cars and then put cheap tyres on them. The tyres are the only part of the car that comes into contact with the road he argued, therefore whatever performance the car has, can be devastated by low grade tyres.
One of my closest friends was once a P.E. teacher. Sport was literally his day job. He could not understand why people who played sport would spend so much time and effort getting fitter and stronger and then buy cheap trainers. He was on his feet all day and he argued that the trainers that you have are the only thing that impact the ground and that therefore buying cheap trainers that are low quality can dramatically increase your risk of injury both in the moment and over long term. Especially over the long term as the repeated impacts of running on tarmac or whatever affects your muscles and your bones.
I feel similarly about my keyboard and my mouse. This is the only part of my computer that I actually come into contact with. I have in the past made the mistake of buying very cheap keyboards and a very cheap mouse I found on Amazon. The quality was poor and the frustration was high. So, I moved up a grade. I am not going to advocate spending hundreds on pounds on a keyboard or a mouse, at least not right now. Money is tight. But, I would advocate moving out of the £10-15 range and into the £30-40 range.
Bluetooth Keyboard of Choice
Logitech K380
I love this keyboard. It’s small size and portability means I can take it anywhere without much difficulty. It can be set up to link to 3 different devices at the push of a button. The keys are not loud and I can type on it for hours without getting uncomfortable. It also has indication on the keys to signify what they will do on a mac and a windows pc or android tablet, which is handy as for me device 1 is a windows pc, 2 is an android tablet and 3 is my Macbook air.
It takes normal shop bought batteries and I have owned this for several years and I cannot remember ever changing them. I probably have, but not often enough that I can remember last doing it.
On Amazon you can pick this up for between £31.99 and £44.99 depending on the colour you choose and it comes in 6 colours – Graphite, Blue, Purple, Rose, Sand and White.
Check it out here.
I bought a hard case for mine to protect it and whilst the case I purchases is no longer available – this one, looks almost the same as mine and has a good review rating.
If I really wanted to push the boat out for a Keyboard, I would opt for the Logitech MX keys but as they are £78.99, I need to earn a bit more income before I can splash out – unless anyone wants to gift me them of course 😜.
USB Wireless Keyboard of Choice
Logitech K400 Plus – for Windows, Android & ChromeOS
This has a very similar typing experience to the K380 above but with a few additions that make it a better option for use with a Desktop PC or for a laptop used with a laptop stand. This is not a bluetooth keyboard and so requires a free USB slot to work. Whilst you can use this with MacOS and it will work, the keyboard is marked up for Windows.
Firstly, this has a trackpad which I find really useful. I have bought other keyboards with trackpads and you notice that the trackpads are very poor and don’t really work. I did not find that with this keyboard. It also comes with software you can install to govern gestures that you can use with the trackpad.
Secondly, I like having a left mouse button option on the other side of the keyboard to the trackpad as well as underneath it. This simply makes it easier to use the trackpad as a viable option instead of a mouse.
Third, it has volume and media controls built in. This is pretty standard for keyboards these days, but worth mentioning.
Currently it is £24.99 on Amazon and you can pick it up here.
Keyboard Honourable Mention
Arteck Universal 2.4G Wireless and Bluetooth Touch TV keyboard
I confess, I haven’t actually used this one but I own and use an identical Keyboard from Arteck that lacks Bluetooth Functionality. This is the next version that has both bluetooth built in and a keyboard mark up suitable for use on a Mac.
I do really like this keyboard though I find it a bit less comfortable to type on that they Logitech and the trackpad wasn’t quite as responsive. Given this is an updated version however, these issues may have been resolved.
Check it out here. Currently £30.99
USB Mouse of Choice
I recently bought a £15 USB mouse that was a mistake. It is a battery guzzler and I frequently have to turn it off and on a again to get my computer to acknowledge its existence. Do not make this mistake!
Logitech M330
Over the years I have found that Wireless Mouse devices from Logitech are the best in terms of comfort, usability and price. This is my current mouse of choice. The Logitech M330.
Currently £18.99 on Amazon and you can pick it up here.
