Logitech’s Alto Keys K98M mechanical keyboard has officially made its debut in North America, following a period of limited availability in China and a few carefully chosen international markets. Priced at $149.99, the Alto Keys K98M presents itself as an almost full-size keyboard utilizing the familiar 1800 layout — a configuration that compresses the traditional full-size design into a more desk-friendly form while preserving the convenience of a dedicated number pad. What sets this keyboard apart within Logitech’s mainstream portfolio is not merely its compact footprint but its enthusiast-inspired construction. The K98M introduces full hot-swap capability that supports any standard Cherry MX-compatible switch, granting users the freedom to replace switches without soldering and to craft a personalized typing experience. Coupled with an internal gasket mount — a structural feature designed to cushion and subtly dampen keystrokes — the keyboard achieves a semi-soft, responsive typing feel reminiscent of higher-end custom boards. In doing so, Logitech demonstrates a clear willingness to adopt the hallmarks of enthusiast-grade keyboards, albeit arriving somewhat later to the trend.

Aesthetically, the Alto Keys K98M embraces a sophisticated design language distinguished by a two-piece plastic chassis. The upper housing is made from translucent material that allows ambient light to diffuse through the surface, while the lower section remains opaque and color-coordinated with the keycaps for a cohesive presentation. Logitech offers three appealing color combinations — white, graphite, and lavender — each complemented by crisp white backlighting and durable shine-through PBT keycaps. These design elements create a clean, contemporary appearance that seeks to attract a broad audience. The functional specifications reinforce its user-friendly nature: Logitech claims an impressive battery life of up to twelve months when backlighting is disabled, and the keyboard offers both Bluetooth and Logi Bolt wireless connectivity. Compatibility spans a wide array of platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, as well as iOS, iPadOS, and Android devices, making it an adaptable companion for nearly any workflow.

After using a review unit of the Alto Keys K98M for a brief evaluation period, my impressions have been largely positive. The translucent chassis and visible internal gasket frame lend the keyboard a visually “open” and airy presence, with graceful curves that outline its perimeter. The lavender variant, in particular, possesses a playful yet refined charm when placed on a minimalist desk setup, although the graphite and white versions maintain an equally sleek and professional aesthetic. Those who prefer to experiment with different keycap sets may find the neutral tones of the latter two more versatile. Beyond cosmetics, the board’s hot-swappable sockets invite extensive customization — enthusiasts can replace Logitech’s stock switches with thousands of alternatives to achieve unique sound signatures, tactile responses, and visual identities tailored to personal taste.

However, while the hardware impresses, the accompanying software lags behind. Logitech’s Logi Options Plus application features an attractive and intuitive user interface, providing access to straightforward adjustments such as backlight brightness, timeout duration, and automatic battery-saving modes. Subtle on-screen indicators that appear when modifying volume or brightness echo the user experience of macOS, adding to its polish. Yet, those familiar with deeply customizable firmware solutions may find themselves restricted by the program’s limited scope. At present, users can only reassign secondary functions for the twelve keys along the function row, a constraint that pales in comparison to the flexibility offered by enthusiast-oriented firmware such as QMK or VIA. Keyboards costing significantly less often allow complete remapping of every single key, granting virtually unlimited control — a level of personalization that advanced users may miss here.

From an acoustic and tactile standpoint, the Alto Keys K98M delivers a pleasant if somewhat restrained typing profile. It lacks the pronounced resonance or deep “thock” commonly associated with smaller-batch metal-bodied enthusiast keyboards, but its tone remains refined and satisfying. The lightweight, crisp “clack” it produces is unobtrusive enough for shared workspaces, neither overly sharp nor dull. Typing on this keyboard feels effortless thanks to Logitech’s proprietary Marble switches, which provide a smooth linear travel distance of about 3.5mm. With an actuation force of approximately 40 grams, the switches strike a careful balance between resistance and responsiveness, ensuring that keystrokes feel deliberate without becoming fatiguing. The inclusion of the UniCushion gasket introduces a subtle flex under pressure, imparting a gentle cushioning effect while preserving foundational firmness — preventing the board from feeling soft or unstable during use.

Overall, the Alto Keys K98M represents a refreshing and encouraging direction for Logitech. It merges mainstream reliability with enthusiast sensibilities, offering a taste of custom keyboard features to a mass audience. The translucent case design, in particular, evokes a playful nostalgia and a modern aesthetic simultaneously, adding visual intrigue to an otherwise utilitarian device. Nevertheless, its $150 price tag situates it among formidable competition: numerous boutique brands — such as Epomaker, Wobkey, or Chilkey — deliver prebuilt keyboards of comparable or superior material quality, often incorporating metal cases and more advanced software customization tools, all at equal or lower prices. Even those content with plastic housings can turn to options from companies like Keychron or Aula, which provide similar functionality for roughly half the cost.

Despite the competitive landscape, the Alto Keys K98M stands out as one of the most engaging keyboards Logitech has produced in recent memory. It suggests that the company is paying attention to the growing enthusiasm surrounding mechanical keyboard culture and taking meaningful steps to align its designs with evolving user expectations. If this model signals the start of a new design philosophy, perhaps we can look forward to future variants like the more compact Alto Keys K75M — a 75-percent layout that would cater to users eager for a space-saving form factor without sacrificing style or performance.

Sourse: https://www.theverge.com/tech/810124/logitech-alto-keys-k98m-mechanical-keyboard-price-specs-impressions