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Logitech G413 - The revolution of the mechanical keyboard? Plus: You can win a keyboard

24.5.2017

Translation: machine translated

The new line-up from Swiss manufacturer Logitech includes the G413. The mechanical keyboard not only comes with key illumination but also with new technology under the keys. But are the Romer-G switches any good? And how do I get rid of the echo? I find out.

"You like keyboards, don't you?" marketing manager Sebastian Karlen asks me. I do. I like keyboards. After all, I hammer away at a keyboard day in, day out, writing articles and answering emails. The keyboard is my most important work tool. So, yes, I am interested. Because when it comes to workplace optimisation, I'm good at it. I reorganise things here and there, replace the mouse, screens and chairs. And sometimes I even tidy up.

So the Logitech G413 landed on my desk with the instruction that I should make a video of it and put the keyboard through its paces. Good, I can do that.

Apropos: At the end of this article, you can win a keyboard by giving me some advice. Just as a tip.

Keyboard

Logitech G G413

CH, Cable

The Logitech G413, mine came in elegant black, has two USB A-Type ports. But you only really need one if you want the function of the keyboard without any other hardware functions.

Keyboard and power supply
USB passthrough

I left the installation to my ever more tech-savvy colleague Natalie Hemengül. As a PC tinkering layman, she looked at the cables questioningly. So I thought she should install it. It looks professional.

As always, my cable management is beyond good and evil

So, let's get down to business.

The keyboard with ECHO

The Logitech G413 has a minimalist design. No extra keys, the palm rest is just as absent as the edges. Only between the F-keys and the arrow keys is there open metal, because the G413 is heavy but not really big. The key spacing is very close to the usual standard. The only thing that bothers me during testing is that at the bottom next to the space bar, the ALT GR keys and then an FN key are located next to the menu key and the right CTRL key. These keys are all the same size.

The problem now is that whenever I need to use the ALT GR key, which often happens when writing digitec articles for website coding reasons, I always hit the FN key or the space between FN and ALT GR. I'm sure it's something I could get used to though, even if I don't quite see why the world needs FN keys. I've managed easily without them for x years.

In general, the layout of the keyboard is something that has received a lot of criticism. In one of the rare comments in which user Fumo receives positive reviews from the Community, he criticises the absence of media keys.

Is the removal of macro keys and the double assignment of the F-keys declared a highlight here? Wow! Compared to the old G series, which had macro keys and a monitor, this is more of a step backwards for the same price. - Fumo

Whereas I could initially understand this criticism, as I once also liked to have my extra keys on which I placed functions, this has now changed. Logitech recognised, probably a few years ago, that a keyboard already has over 100 keys. These can now be configured on the software side. So F1 no longer has to be "Help", but can start the media player of your choice in Windows. However, if you reassign the E key, then it's your own fault.

The keyboard is totally easy to use. The touch point of the Romer G-switches is actually quite nice, which makes typing very comfortable. Even for me as a keyboard snob, typing this article on the G413 is going well. I have few complaints, my fingers fly over the keyboard and the text emerges.

In terms of feel, the Romer G-Switches are quite similar to the Cherry switches. I can't feel the big difference or the revolutionary novelty. That's a good thing. Because I've been used to Cherry switches for years and I don't want to miss this feeling. After all, a keyboard is something I use every day and is as much a part of my everyday life as a cooker, for example. I mean, a cooker has nine heat settings, right? Sure, it doesn't necessarily have to be a rotary knob, modern cookers are even equipped with haptic control panels. But certain things remain the same. Just like the pressure point of the keyboard with Cherry switches. In short: the Romer G-switches fit because that's exactly how they should be. Great work, Logitech.

The annoying echo

The only thing that really bothers me is the echo. I have to say up front that I'm extremely picky when it comes to keyboards. Regular readers of my articles already know this, but for those who don't: I am every keyboard seller's worst nightmare. And that's why one thing is a no-go for me: the Echo in the G413.

Every time I press a key, the keyboard echoes. This may not bother 95 per cent of readers, but it drives me crazy. Somewhere in the keyboard is a cavity where the sound produced by the pressure of the keys reverberates. Why?

The thing is now. I'm going to get to work on the keyboard. Because Sebastian Karlen and I agree that the Romer G-Switches actually feel very good. He doesn't even mind the echo.

So I set about eliminating the echo. In other words, I take it apart and look under the bonnet. Because the feeling that the G413 offers is worth the experiment. Because if I can get rid of the echo, then we have a very good keyboard that even keyboard freaks will love.

Your chance to win

If you want to help: We're giving away two of the Logitech G413. One in black, one in white. All you have to do is write us your suggestion in the comments on how you would get rid of the ECHO. The competition runs until midnight on Wednesday, 31 May 2017. After that, we'll pick the most creative, funniest or most realistic solutions. And please tell us which colour you would prefer.