Logitech G915X Lightspeed Overview: The Final Gaming & Productivity Hybrid?

Keyboards. One of the OG items of computing gear that can most likely by no means go away. Despite all of the evolutions, contact screens, on display screen keyboards, it’s nonetheless immensely satisfying to mash out phrases on a a bodily keyboard. For probably the primary time ever, a gaming keyboard graces my desk – the Logitech G G 915X Lightspeed (Tactile).

For me this can be a significantly attention-grabbing evaluation to do, given my previous couple of keyboards have been all Logitech productiveness line ones, with the MX Keys S being the earlier incumbent.

 

tl;dr: The Bottom Line

The Logitech G915X Lightspeed (Tactile) is a premium, strong evolution of a basic. Moving from the productivity-focused MX Keys S to this mechanical powerhouse gives a superior tactile expertise and unbelievable macro depth by way of G-Hub. While the A$369.95 worth and lack of hot-swappable switches may deter hardcore fans, its construct high quality and devoted media controls make it a top-tier selection for high-end gaming {and professional} workflows alike.

 

Design & Build: Moving from MX Keys to G915X

Coming from the MS Keys S, the G915X is a generously sized keyboard. I had meant for a TKL (Tenkeyless) however a full dimension keyboard confirmed up so I simply rolled with it.

As I compete usually with junk the children depart on my desk and cats in search of an area to sleep, the intention was to cut back the footprint on my desk. As it occurs, the G915X is each wider and taller than the one I’m changing. Sorry cats.

 

What’s New? G915 vs G915X at a Glance

The G915X is a candy unit that serves because the successor to the legendary 2019 unique. While the silhouette stays acquainted, the internals have seen a large overhaul:

• Standardised Stems: Swapping proprietary hooks for industry-standard cross-style (MX) stems.
• Faster Actuation: Reduced from 1.5mm to 1.3mm for near-instant response.
• Durability: A thicker 1.5mm aluminum high plate and a transfer to Double-shot PBT keycaps.
• Modern Charging: Finally ditching Micro-USB for USB-C.
• Battery Leap: Massive improve to 800 hours (with RGB off).

 

Keycap Evolution: Durable PBT vs. ABS

The transfer to PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate) is the gold customary for sturdiness. After two and a half years of mashing at it, the ABS keycaps on my MX Keys S have been undoubtedly trying worse for put on. With the G915X, you may say goodbye to chipped finishes and people greasy, shiny halos on the keys.

Resting my fingers on the keys, they really feel somewhat tough, gritty, and grippy. It feels reassuringly tactile. The keys are raised off the keyboard with a journey of three.2mm, which feels deep and deliberate.

The high plate is brushed aluminium that feels stable to the touch. Out of the field, I’m grateful that Logi didn’t run with “in your face” RGB; the keys pulse in a soothing blue, with the WASD keys in a refined pink. Both of those are famous as Logitech signature colors.

Unlike the TKL that I wanted for, the complete dimension G915X is a Swiss Army Knife with a stack of devoted bodily controls.

There are 9 G-Keys, these are programmable macros keys. Five sits in a vertical stack on the left of the keyboard, 4 sits above the Functions 1-4 keys. Those 4 Function keys even have dual-functions.

Connectivity has devoted buttons too – Lightspeed and Bluetooth. Next to that could be a Game Mode, which when activated, will disable the Windows key. This will likely be helpful for me, however invaluable for players.

Lastly in that cluster is the backlit selector – it cycles by means of 0% to 100% in 25% increments.

On the suitable above the keypad are media management keys, with a really helpful mute all button. And above that proper on the highest fringe of the keyboard is a quantity curler.

Of course, how might I not point out the sunshine up G emblem on the highest left nook?

 

Performance & Feel: The Tactile Typing Experience

In the time earlier than COVID and #WFH, I not often care about my keyboard. The nature of my work required me to make use of no matter is available. Customers don’t typically lay out the great things for contractors I can guarantee you.

Working from dwelling for thje previous few years has afforded me the chance to be choosy, and settle in with keyboards that fits my utilization. I worth effectivity and altering keyboards and layouts is an enormous step to take while my muscle tissue relearn new positions.

From the get go, the G915X began altering my circulation in refined however helpful methods. Well earlier than I even take a look at the G-Hub Software.

Other reviewers can discuss the important thing stroke feels, sound of the important thing presses and the way horny it’s. I’m going to guide with the amount curler and the kill audio arduous key. Whether I’m blasting out some tunes, or deep into writing a evaluation, a flick of my finger on the generously sized quantity curler provides me management over the sound quantity.

There is not any extra fumbling for the mouse, get it over to the system tray, open the amount management and alter the slider. Just transfer my proper hand in the direction of the highest proper nook of the G915X and provides it a mild roll. That’s it. Done. It is less complicated than aiming for the audio kill swap, and with extra finesse.

That stated, pairing the G915X with a precision mouse just like the Superlight 2c or the simply launched Pro X2 Superstrike (keep tuned for the evaluation) creates a formidable desk setup for each gaming and deep-work periods.

The quantity curler is an infinite scroll with no click on settings. You push it away from you to extend the amount, and roll it in the direction of you to lower. I find it irresistible.

Having used the MX Keys S for a bit over two and a half years, adjusting to the G915X took a little bit of effort. The MX Keys S looks like a high-end laptop computer keyboard with dish-shaped keys that guides your fingers to the middle and really quiet in motion.

In distinction, the G915X is wholly mechanical. My evaluation unit has the tactile (brown) switches which sits in the midst of Linear (crimson) – the quietest, and Click (White/Blue) – the loudest.

The keypresses are registered when depressed midway, sufficient to set off the the bodily bump as the important thing depresses. You don’t really must backside out all the best way, however rattling if it’s not satisfying if you do mash out one thing on the keyboard and really feel that chonkiness.

And right here is the important thing factor, I can decelerate my typing pace somewhat and register keystrokes at a decrease noise stage by semi-depressing the G915X. On the MX Keys S – a membrane model keyboard, I’ve to bodily backside out the downward stroke to make it work.

 

G-Hub Software: Unlocking the Macro Potential

If you got a G915X simply to make use of the usual keys, then you’re lacking out on the perfect half. Especially on the complete dimension model.

I’ll tackle the elephant within the room first. I like lots of their {hardware}, particularly the MX sequence. But I’ve by no means been an enormous fan of the software program, and I’m not the one one. There has been numerous points with Options, Options+, particularly in the course of the crossover interval. Stability points, forgetfulness. A fast search on the web will yield a great deal of negativity.

Truthfully I used to be not significantly eager to put in G-Hub, the software program to handle the Logitech Suite. Don’t get me mistaken, there are few software program that I’d really set up on my workstation. I run with PortableApps as a lot as potential. Unfortunately G-Hub doesn’t have an official (and even unofficial) moveable model. This level turns into essential later.

As an apart, why moveable? It leaves no footprint on the system. And for these individuals who have locked down company machines the place they don’t have any privileges to put in software program, it’s a clear workaround.

With the G-Hub software program, obtainable from Logitech, you may unleash the complete potential of the G915X.

If you’re into RGB, then you may configure LightSync and create the color profile to swimsuit you. The default profile out of the field is “Pulsar Point” with simply the WASD keys highlighted. I ran with that however modified the first color from pink to DRN Orange.

Key Assignments are the MVP right here. Unlike the MX Keys S, I can remap each key on the G915X by means of the G-Hub software program. But it’s not simply that, you may remap the bottom layer, the perform later and a G-Shift layer. It is like having three keyboards on the identical time.

For people who recreation, this can be a should.

For people who need productiveness, it opens up potentialities that was not as accessible beforehand.

Missing just a few devoted keys from my MX Keys S, I remapped just a few of my G keys to open calculator, Obsidian and my graphics program. I additionally remapped Scroll Lock to locking my desktop. PrintScr is remapped to ShareX for display screen seize.

If you need to go down a rabbit gap, you may create macros and assign them as properly. For instance in case you have a repetitive activity, you may train G-Hub what it’s and map it to a key.

If you might have a lot of them, then you may leverage the perform layer and the G-Shift layer.

But that’s not the place it stops. You may create profiles.

Within the G-Hub software program, you may create a productiveness profile, and a gaming profile. Or particular gaming profiles for every recreation you play. That method you may shortly swap from work mode to gaming with a completely totally different set of mappings.

 

The Trade-offs: Software Dependency & Non-Swappable Switches

I’ll preserve happening the software program theme.

In order for a lot of the customisation to work, G-Hub needs to be working within the background. in your pc. Without it the G915X just about reverts again to manufacturing unit defaults.

There is a element referred to as Onboard Memory Manager, which lets you avoid wasting settings to the inner reminiscence of the G915X itself. Like the extra primary RGB settings. But the draw back is that it’s going to solely assist easy key remaps – no complicated macros, no system actions like launching software program.

And there’s undoubtedly no G-Shift layer.

Overall I don’t discover G-Hub to be intuitive. It does the job however I needed to hunt round to do issues. On the opposite hand, that is completely on par for Logitech software program as a result of I discover the identical for Options+.

A significant dealbreaker for some folks is that the switches should not hot-swappable. They are soldered onto the board and it’s main surgical procedure if one breaks outdoors of guarantee. The keycaps are swappable, these could be pulled off and changed.

 

Other Features

The G915X is a Lightspeed gadget, so it comes with a Lightspeed dongle (USB-C). It additionally has a USB-A (feminine) to USB-C (feminine) extender.

It is just not appropriate with the Unify or the Bolt dongles (naturally).

There is a slot underneath the keyboard to stow the Lightspeed dongle when the keyboard is being transported.

Charging is by way of USB-C, a notable improve from the OG G915. Be conscious that the RGB lighting does come at a price. At 50% brightness with static lights, the G-Hub software program is reporting about 140 hours of use.

There is a two stage peak adjustment for the lean of the keyboard.

Verdict: Is the Logitech G915X Worth the A$369.95 Price Tag?

The Logitech G915X Lightspeed is the definition of a “refined powerhouse.” After 5 years of ready, it’s clear that Logitech wasn’t occupied with reinventing the wheel, however relatively perfecting it.

Transitioning from the membrane-style MX Keys S to this mechanical beast took a stable week of muscle-memory recalibration, however the payoff is critical. I traded near-silent workplace keys for a “chonky,” tactile, however extremely satisfying typing expertise that feels constructed to final a decade.

The Good:

Superior Durability: The shift to Double-shot PBT keycaps and a thicker aluminum plate solves the “greasy key” subject that plagued the unique G915 and my ageing MX Keys.

Masterful Media Controls: The quantity curler stays the “gold standard” of desk ergonomics—it’s a function you’ll use dozens of occasions a day.

Productivity Monster: Through G-Hub, the macro depth and G-Shift layers successfully provide you with three keyboards in a single.

The Bad:

Premium Pricing: At A$369.95, it’s a heavy funding, particularly when rivals at the moment are providing hot-swappable switches at comparable worth factors.

Software Reliance: To get probably the most out of the G-Keys, you have to be snug with the G-Hub ecosystem working within the background.

 

Final Thought

If you’re a hardcore fanatic who needs to swap out switches and customise each inside spring, this isn’t for you. But for those who’re knowledgeable or a gamer in search of a “ride or die” flagship that bridges the hole between high-end productiveness and aggressive efficiency, the G915X Lightspeed is the brand new king of low-profile keyboards. It is a worthy (if louder) successor to the MX Keys S and a compulsory improve for anybody nonetheless clinging to the unique 2019 G915.

There are some deals on at Amazon at time of publishing, taking as much as $120 off RRP which makes it a really palatable selection.

DRN wish to thank Logitech for offering the evaluation unit.