- Logitech has launched a new solar-powered keyboard
- The Logitech Signature Slim Solar+ K980 retails at $99.99
- It’s charged either by sunlight or artificial light and comes with a swappable battery
Logitech has released a new solar-powered keyboard which is charged purely by light – either sunlight, or the artificial variety – and can last for a surprising amount of time when juiced up.
The Logitech Signature Slim Solar+ K980 retails at $99.99 in the US, as The Verge reportsand it doesn’t offer a USB port for a charging alternative. You can either power it up in the sun or by using indoor lighting (if it’s at least 200 lux), but once it’s fully charged, the K980 will last for a rather incredible four months before it needs to see the light again.
The battery is claimed to be good for (up to) 10 years, and even if it does fail, this device has a power pack that can be swapped out for a new one.
Logitech spokesperson Melvin Dilanchian made it clear to The Verge that the battery sits in a plastic case to make it “safely user-replaceable” with a spare (that’s supplied by iFixit).
The K980 is a full-size wireless keyboard with a charging panel that runs along the top, and a full set of function keys underneath, plus a full number pad to the right.
You also get media keys, and keys for video chat (mic mute, camera off), and there’s a dedicated AI key which will function as a Copilot or Gemini summon in Windows or ChromeOS, respectively – or you can customize it (and other keys) to do something else.
You can pair the K980 with up to three different devices via Bluetooth and switch between them all with the press of a key.
Analysis: solar resurgence is good to see
The K980 is a smart idea for several reasons. It offers plenty of longevity when charged, and being able to swap out the battery for a new one when it’s spent is clearly a nice, eco-friendly idea. There are also plenty of options in terms of keys and customization, which is good to see.
The design of the keyboard looks a bit basic, and there are no folding feet (to adjust the angle and tilt of the peripheral) – but still, it looks pretty nifty overall. And there are certainly some people out there who’ve missed Logitech’s solar-powered keyboards – there hasn’t been one made for a long time (over a decade) – who have been clamoring for the company to make another model. So, it’s good to see the manufacturer has duly obliged.
Lenovo has also recently launched its Self-Charging Bluetooth keyboard at the same price point in the US, and Logitech’s effort looks a bit more pleasing and streamlined to my eye. Furthermore, the Lenovo effort only lasts for a month on a full charge, which makes the Logitech rival keyboard’s (claimed) capacity all the more impressive. However, you do get a USB-C port for charging the Lenovo device (in the absence of any strong enough light).
