Father's Day Gift Pick: Logitech Illuminated Living Room Keyboard #Review + #Giveaway

I have a tiny confession. I may be a blogging queen, and social media maven, but one thing I will never claim to be, is tech-savvy. Don't get me wrong, I want to be tech savvy. I want to know about the latest and greatest tech products that are going to wow me, and make my life easier. The tech guru in my house, however, is my husband, Sacha. He has always had a knack for figuring out how things work, and can connect pretty much any and everything. When it comes to computers, and computer stuff, he really knows which products are the best of the best. This guy pays attention to reviews, consumer reports, and of course, loves to formulate his own opinion by testing out products, himself.

Sacha made mention of wanting/needing a new keyboard for his computer two or three years ago, and honestly I had sort of forgotten all about it, until I sat down to work at his desk a couple of weeks ago, and could barely type anything without making a mistake, because his clunky keyboard was so, so old! I knew that a new keyboard would not only be a nice gift idea, but it would be a practical thing to have, making his time spent working from home much more productive.

When I began to look at new keyboards, the first brand that popped into my mind was Logitech. Logitech is a well known name, and we're always looking at their products when we're in an electronic store. The Logitech story all started with a mouse. No, really- Logitech came onto the scene in 1981 (that's two years before yours truly entered into this amazing world, folks), introducing their computer mouse. Logitech makes high quality personal peripherals, designed to help people enjoy a better experience with the digital world. Logitech became the worldwide leader in computer mice, and have reinvented the mouse in dozens of ways to match the evolving needs of PC and laptop users. Since those early days, naturally, Logitech has expanded and evolved their product line to correspond with modern technology.

One of the selling points on my new laptop, for my husband (obviously, he chose it for me), was the backlit keyboard. He has been so crazy over how cool it is for going on two years, now. He has wished and wished that his keyboard could be that awesome. Well friends, thanks to the kind folks at Logitech, my husband now has a keyboard that is way cooler than mine could ever hope to be.

Meet the Illuminated Living Room Keyboard K830, by Logitech.

My husband fell in love with the idea of being able to have a keyboard that was wireless, backlit, lightweight, sleek, and could be easily moved back and forth between a PC, and the TV. I know, right? There's a computer keyboard will all of the amazing features out there? Yep- you're looking at it!

The back of the Logitech Living Room Illuminated Keyboard packaging showed us all of its key features.

Sacha was excited to see the features laid out, right on the product packaging. There were a lot of features that sold him on this keyboard before he even set it up. The backlit keyboard was a huge draw. Our computer desk is set up in our bedroom, and Sacha is often up late, writing music. The backlit keys allow him to type, etc, without having to have the desk lamp on, which would normally bother me. There is a built in light sensor with the keyboard, so the brightness of the keys is always perfect, depending on how dark it is where you're working!

The keyboard was nicely packaged, and all wrapped up, to keep it well protected during shipping.

Everything we needed to use the keyboard, was included.

The Logitech Illuminated Living Room Keyboard came with a unifying receiver, additional cables, and user manual. Sacha spent some time looking the user manual over before he set the keyboard up, and once he felt like he had a pretty good understanding of how the keyboard ought to work, he headed to his desk to set it up. The installation process only took a few minutes, and then Sacha was ready to test the keyboard out.

Logitech unifying receiver- the only thing you'll need to connect the keyboard to your computer!

Just plug this little guy in, and go, go, go!

The handy little receiver that came with the keyboard is what you use to connect the keyboard to your desktop computer or laptop. It simply plugs right into a USB port, and that's it- connects the keyboard right away, and you're good to go! It's easy to do that even I can switch it from the desktop computer to my laptop with no problem.

Logitech Illuminated Living Room Keyboard, set up at the computer desk, and ready for use! No wires in sight! I love that there's nothing that will get hung up behind the desk!

Easy to use touch pad and media shortcuts.

Sacha and I both love how super sleek the keyboard is. If you like the feel of a laptop keyboard and touch pad, you won't have any problem adjusting to this keyboard. For me, I can go back and forth, without feeling like there is much of a difference in typing... the touch pad is just in a different place. If you're used to using a mouse, you won't have any trouble- the touch pad is in the place your computer mouse would normally sit. Sacha said he loves the touch pad, and not needing a traditional mouse, even though a mouse is what he's used to using. Having the touch pad as part of the keyboard is awesome, and there's no clunky mouse taking up extra space.

The keys on the keyboard are easy to use, especially for me, as they are so similar to the keyboard on my laptop!

The touch pad on the keyboard is a bit more sensitive than what I am used to, but it's not a big deal, and isn't anything I can't get used to. Sacha said he really loves the touch pad, and loves how easy it is to use. He also said he loves how quiet the keys are. It's quite a change from his chunky, clunky keyed keyboard that he has been using for the past ten years, which I could no longer type on because it's so old, and the keys on it are huge, compared to modern keyboards. Using Logitech's Illuminated Living Room Keyboard is a breeze! Sacha can work on music and return e-mails late in the the evening, while I am reading in bed, or while I'm sleeping, without making any noise, and without having to have any lights on. Win for him, and win for me!

To move the keyboard from our desktop computer to the living room, to use with the laptop and the television, all we have to do is move the handy little connectivity device. Simply plug it into the USB port in the laptop, and make sure the laptop is connected to the TV through an HDMI cable (I am learning so much, here!), set the TV to the right setting (HDMI 3 on our TV), and then use the TV screen as your computer screen, and the Logitech Illuminated Living Room Keyboard to navigate!

Here's that cute little unifying device again- just plug it in, connect the laptop to the TV, and the keyboard is ready for use!

Not the greatest photo ever, but notice that the keyboard is on my lap, no wires. The laptop is way over on the other side of the room- connected to the TV.

I had so much fun sitting on the couch, and being on the computer through the TV. I love my laptop, but it felt sort of awesome to just have the lightweight keyboard sitting on my lap. I was able to do everything I needed right from the keyboard. At nighttime, there's no need to have the lamps on in the living room. The keyboard lights right up, giving off enough light to see what you're doing on the keyboard. Sacha really loves being able to hook into the TV. His music writing software is loaded onto my laptop, and he enjoys using it with the TV, because it gives him a larger space to see the notes and the music he's working on. Now, he can comfortably sit on the couch, and write music, using the Logitech Illuminated Living Room Keyboard!

Impressive Wireless Range!

The Logitech Illuminated Living Room Keyboard has a 33 ft. wireless range! Pretty impressive, huh? No messing around with cords or wires, and nothing for little people (meaning children) to trip over!

Here we have the computer connected to the TV, and we're checking out Logitech Academy online, learning about the new keyboard.

Features of the Logitech Illuminated Living Room Keyboard

Effortless PC to TV navigation, even in the dark.

Bright, backlit keys

Choosing the right home theater keyboard or HTPC keyboard can make a difference to your typing productivity and comfort. K830 allows you to see and type easily, even in the dark.

All-in-one wireless keyboard and mouse

There’s a time and a place for a mouse, we know, but it's not your knee or the arm of your couch. K830 streamlines navigation in the living room by combining a wireless keyboard and mouse into one device.

Control the mouse pointer precisely and accurately from a distance with the built-in multi-touch touchpad.

Navigate with both hands. Point with your right hand, click with your left, using the additional left click button.

10 m (33 ft)* Wireless range

No cords, no software and no hassles.

Rechargeable

Never change batteries.

10 days per charge.

Worthy of the living room

Enjoy the perfect blend of function and form in your home.

Optimized key layout

Satisfy your everyday needs of casual typing on a connected TV.

Media shortcuts

Control your entertainment with a variety of one-touch function keys.

Customizable software

K830 is a plug-and-play keyboard. If you prefer customized control, Logitech Options software lets you personalize your keyboard and touchpad settings.

Obviously, we still have a lot of playing around to do with this amazing wireless keyboard, but for only having had it for just a few days, we're already highly impressed by it. Sacha is incredibly choosy when it comes to electronics and accessories, so for him to be so in love with this awesome keyboard, is a big deal. The Logitech online Academy is super helpful, and Logitech offers full online support, as well.

I think this would be a fantastic Father's Day gift, graduation gift, or if you're already looking ahead to Christmas, go ahead and put this on your gift idea list. I don't know many guys who wouldn't love this keyboard. I am already thinking that my dad would really love this keyboard, as well as my brother-in-law. They might both be getting these for Christmas this year! Sacha and I give the Logitech Illuminated Living Room Keyboard two thumbs up. It's definitely brag-worthy, and worth adding to your home electronic/accessory collection! Keep up the good work Logitech, we can't wait to see what you wow us with next!

Want It? Buy It!

Head on over to Logitech to learn more about Illuminated Living Room Keyboard, and to browse even more fantastic Logitech products! You can purchase Logitech products directly from Logitech, or look for Logitech products in your favorite electronic retail store. Logitech is social, and would love to connect with you through Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Want It? Win It!

One super lucky reader will win their very own Illuminated Living Room Keyboard from Logitech! Just use the easy peasy Rafflecopter entry form below to enter for your chance to win big! Giveaway is open to US residents, 18 and older.

Special thanks to our friends at Logitech for allowing us to experience this life-changing product, and for offering this special Father's Day giveaway for our readers!

Good luck!