Gimmick or Green: Solar-Powered Keyboards (LOGI)

By Jon C. Ogg Updated Nov 2, 5:23AM EDT · Published Nov 1, 3:58PM EDT

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Logitech International SA (NASDAQ: LOGI) is back in favor with some new products coming to market. Today’s newest launch, a wireless solar-powered keyboard, will seem like a no-brainer for the green-minded consumer. It is just as easy to argue that it is nothing more than a gimmick.

The K750 is Logitech’s first light-powered keyboard which powers itself whenever there’s light. That light can be indoor light and it is meant to take away the need for batteries in wireless keyboards. After it is charged, it is said to be able to work in total darkness for up to three months. Logitech’s newest keyboard is also PVC-free and comes with fully recyclable packaging to minimize its carbon footprint.

An integrated solar panel is part of the design rather than power bricks or charging cables, and it features a lux meter to help you get the necessary light. This comes with a suggested retail price of $79.99 in the United States.

What is attractive is that this claims to be only one-third of an inch thick with no hard angles with its slightly curved keys and advanced 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity. It also includes 128-bit AES encryption with the keyboard and the unifying receiver is said to be small enough to stay in your laptop. Logitech further noted that users can easily add up to six Logitech Unifying and Unifying-ready mice and keyboards without the hassle of multiple USB receivers.

Gimmick or Green?

The green angle comes with all the bells and whistles from recycle dpackaging to a sleek design to long uninterrupted use. This also eliminates the need to insert batteries from time to time.

The gimmick side of the equation is that for $79.99 there are far more keyboard choices for far less. As far as recycled packaging, I cannot think of a single keyboard I have ever purchased that could not have the packaging recycled.

There is another thought out there, and that is on not using wireless at all. Keyboards require negligible power (same for a mouse). Plugging a keyboard into a PC or Mac may offer better savings without a debate over whether the K750 is a green initiative or a gimmick.

JON C. OGG

About the Author Jon C. Ogg →

Jon Ogg has been a financial news analyst since 1997. Mr. Ogg set up one of the first audio squawk box services for traders called TTN, which he sold in 2003. He has previously worked as a licensed broker to some of the top U.S. and E.U. financial institutions, managed capital, and has raised private capital at the seed and venture stage. He has lived in Copenhagen, Denmark, as well as New York and Chicago, and he now lives in Houston, Texas. Jon received a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance at University of Houston in 1992. a673b.bigscoots-temp.com.