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We have the Microsoft Surface Dial on sale - even before Microsoft
by Dominik Bärlocher
Logitech Craft: The creative keyboard tested by creative minds (plus a competition)
26.10.2017
Translation: machine translated
Logitech claims to have reinvented the keyboard. The promotional video promises unprecedented productivity for designers, graphic artists and other creative professionals. It's clear to us: this has to be tested. A graphic designer and a video editor used the keyboard on their desks for a month.
The promotional video from hardware manufacturer Logitech promises a lot. A quantum leap in productivity for people who work creatively, i.e. in the graphics and design industry. In general, anyone who has previously worked laboriously with a mouse and keyboard on programmes that require advanced interaction will benefit from the keyboard.
With the Logitech Craft, it seems that the manufacturer is aiming to follow in the footsteps of Microsoft with the Surface Dial. But instead of replacing a device, Logitech wants to give users something extra.
We on the digitec editorial team like to test devices before we proclaim the innovation of all innovations with marketing impact. That's why the devices ended up on the desk of graphic designer Julian Stauffer and video editor Manuel Wenk. They are to work with the keyboard for a month and then draw conclusions.
Julian Stauffer, graphic designer: "Great, but immature"
I'm a self-confessed Apple fanboy and grew up with Macs. On the one hand, this has to do with my profession as a graphic designer and, on the other, I am still fascinated by the ingenious packaging solutions for Apple products. It's an experience to take an iPhone out of the box, unpack an iMac or pull out a new keyboard.
Logitech has copied well here. I think that's good and don't dismiss it as a cheap copy. The Craft comes in really nice packaging. Opening the packaging is tactile and makes me curious to connect it to my computer. You could be forgiven for thinking that Logitech is trying to curry favour with me as a Mac user. Which also works
The problem with the layout
The keyboard comes with a dual layout. This means that I can see both the symbols of a Windows keyboard and those of a Mac keyboard on the keyboard. I find this takes some getting used to, but it makes a lot of sense from a production point of view, even if I always find it difficult to compromise in product design. Certainly good for Logitech, so-so for the user.
The feel of the keyboard when typing is a hybrid between the standard Apple keyboard and the everyday office keyboard Logitech K120, which I remember from before the switch to Mac in our department. But what feels good is the velvety finish of the keys. So it's good enough for typing, but the feel never comes close to a mechanical G413 with Romer-G switches, which I was once allowed to test.
Reinventing the wheel
The main selling point of the keyboard is the wheel at the top left of the keyboard. Similar to the Microsoft Surface Dial, it is intended to make the workflow of designers considerably easier and enable intuitive design. According to Logitech, the possibilities are constantly being expanded and ultimately the entire Adobe Creative Suite should be operable with it.
Well, what can I say. The device disappoints me rather than helping me in any way. For example: When I click on an image with the cursor, I am shown options of what I can do with the image via the wheel. In the order in which the options appear, it looks like this:
- Scale
- Opaque force
- Contour colour
- Fill colour
I can now switch to the next option by tapping the wheel. However, the wheel does not recognise whether I want to scroll to the next option or whether I want to change the values of the selected option. So I am forced to click through all the options again until I am back at the desired option. This makes a work step six times longer than actually necessary. I can scale the image, but I can't change the angle of objects. That would make sense.
I think the idea is great, but I find the implementation immature and by no means ready for the market. It seems as if the keyboard is Logitech's hasty reaction to Microsoft's Surface Dial. That's a shame, missed potential. If Logitech had taken a little more time with the development and fine-tuned the concept, the manufacturer could have released a premium product. It may look good at first glance, but in use it is more of a disappointment.
A bit like a partner who looks good but has nothing in the head. It's fun, but when it's supposed to be serious, disappointment sets in.
Manuel Wenk, Video Producer: "I'm sticking with my mouse"
The Logitech Craft promises a lot, but doesn't deliver what it promises. Sure, it looks good and it's comfortable to type on, but I expect that from any keyboard. Especially in this price segment.
The selling point, the wheel, didn't excite me at all. So far, too few useful functions have been integrated. In my main working tool - Adobe Premiere Pro - there is only one function. I can use it to scroll back and forth in the timeline. But the whole thing doesn't work intuitively at all. It's damn hard to scroll to the desired point and even jerks a bit.
I'll stick with my mouse.
When I'm not in Premiere Pro, I can only change tabs with the wheel browser or change the volume by pressing the wheel and turning it at the same time. Not even scrolling up and down in the current tab is possible. If I am outside the browser, I can control the volume. That's it for the functions for my everyday work.
Overall: Good idea, but unfortunately not yet well thought out or fully developed.
The bottom line: Waiting for the update
"I can't fault the keyboard in terms of hardware," says Julian, "all the problems are on the software side." He advises anyone thinking of buying the Logitech Craft to wait for the software update. Because he is certain that with a little more development work, the Craft could be a help in everyday life.
Manuel agrees. "I can type well with it and the wheel turns when I want it to," he says with a laugh. But he also advises waiting for the software update.
Your chance to win
We have received three samples. So that they don't just gather dust in our office, we're giving them away now. To take part in the competition, all you have to do is answer one question:
What's your next creative project that needs a keyboard?
Post your answer in the comments column by Wednesday, 1 November 2017. Good luck.
The small print (read this!)
Conditions of participation: All natural persons resident in Switzerland who are at least 18 years old are eligible to take part. Employees of Digitec Galaxus AG are excluded from the competition. Each participant may only take part in the competition once in order not to be excluded. No correspondence will be entered into about the competition and there is no legal recourse.
Journalist. Author. Hacker. A storyteller searching for boundaries, secrets and taboos – putting the world to paper. Not because I can but because I can’t not.
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