Logitech Introduces New LX Series Keyboards

Logitech has announced new keyboard designs that make computing more comfortable and ergonomic, and offer unparalleled control of digital entertainment and rich media.

The designs initially will be available with three new cordless desktops: the Logitech Cordless Desktop LX 500, the Logitech Cordless Desktop LX 501, and the Logitech Cordless Desktop LX 300. The offerings combine the unfettered freedom associated with cordless peripherals on the desktop with the style and personality that are renowned traits of Logitech’s award-winning product designs. The company is also introducing a corded keyboard based on one of the new designs — the Logitech Media Keyboard.

“With these dramatic new keyboard designs, our customers will have a new level of media control and be more comfortable than ever,” said Denis Pavillard, Logitech director of product marketing for keyboards and desktops. “Once again, we’ve reinvented the keyboard, from completely redefining its physical proportions, to making subtle changes in key arrangements that make a big difference in comfort without changing the way people work. And because people are doing more on their computers than ever before, we have added powerful ways to manage and experience digital media — such as the ability to zoom in and out of a digital picture.”

The new designs include the following features:

— Lower keyboard height and Logitech Zero Degree Tilt(TM) — The new keyboard designs have a low profile — they are 22.3 mm in height when placed on a flat surface. The designs also incorporate the Zero Degree Tilt feature, which makes the primary rows of keys all the same height. In most keyboards, the height of the keys increases with each row, from the space bar to the function keys. According to independent studies, the ergonomic benefit of a low-profile keyboard without any slope is that it may help minimize wrist extension. Repetitive wrist extension can be a cause of hand and forearm discomfort.

— Two-handed navigation — Logitech’s new designs combine the enhanced navigation controls of the keyboard with those of the mouse. People can now accomplish their work and media-related tasks faster and more easily, and with higher precision and enjoyment — while reducing fatigue in the mouse hand. The controls include Internet Back and Forward buttons, as well as one-click access to a favorite search engine. The Cordless Desktop LX 500 and LX 501 also include a scroll wheel on the left side of the keyboard, which alleviates some of the mouse hand’s scrolling responsibility and strain. The keyboard scroll wheel has the ability to zoom in and out of documents to touch up a digital photo, perfect a presentation slide, or view an entire document layout. Or, while someone is scrolling through a spreadsheet with the right hand on the mouse, the left hand can be zooming in and out with the keyboard scroll wheel.

— Advanced media control — A media panel at the top of each keyboard gives people complete control of music, videos and slideshows. The Logitech Cordless Desktop LX 500 and LX 501 also include dedicated buttons for functions such as recording and burning media. In addition, the new Logitech MediaLife software is bundled with the LX 500 and LX 501. MediaLife brings together all of the music, pictures and video on the PC into an integrated user interface that is designed to be visible from up to 10 feet away. This versatile interface is easy to launch through a button in the keyboard media panel.

— Redesigned F-key row — The new function keys, circular in appearance, enable the ability to launch Microsoft Office applications or complete popular Windows and Microsoft Office commands such as Print and Save. The F1 through F8 keys are labeled with icons for these specific functions, and F9 through F12 can be programmed to launch applications, Web sites or files.

About the Logitech Cordless Desktop LX 500 and Logitech Cordless Desktop LX 501

The Logitech Cordless Desktop LX 500 and LX 501, available in the U.S. beginning in mid-August, have a suggested retail price of $79.95. In addition to the one-touch media controls and enhanced comfort features, both include the Logitech Cordless Click! Optical Mouse. The Cordless Click! mouse features Logitech’s new Tilt Wheel Plus Zoom scroll wheel, allowing easy and accurate scrolling in three dimensions: up and down, left and right, as well as effortless zooming in and out. The cordless keyboard and mouse combinations also provide freedom from nagging, tangled, and restrictive cords. The LX 500 and LX 501 offer consumers a color choice, depending on the decor of their office or desk. The LX 500 is midnight blue and the LX 501 is chalk white. Each features metallic accents.