Review

Logitech MX Keys Mini: Compact Keyboard, Full-Sized Features

The benefits of using the right keyboard can span from increased comfort and productivity to improved health and ergonomics. A well-suited keyboard allows for a more natural typing experience, minimising strain on the wrists, fingers, and forearms.

Logitech MX Keys Mini in Graphite on a Desktop with computer.png

I spent a number of years trying out different keyboard types, including Apple keyboards. None impressed me more than the Logitech MX Keys Mini, which has been going strong asa my sole keyboard for three different devices, since 2022.

In this review, I'll cover the design, key features, connectivity options, typing experience, customisation, battery life, and more to help you make the right decision for your next keyboard!

Why the Logitech MX Keys Mini Deserves Your Attention

In today's fast-paced world, productivity is crucial, and the right keyboard can make all the difference. The MX Keys Mini from Logitech is an ergonomic keyboard that combines compactness and functionality while enhancing your workflow, saving space, and look good doing it.

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Pale Grey


A Compact Keyboard That Doesn't Compromise on Style

Measuring 12.6 x 4.9 x 0.8 inches, the MX Keys Mini is considerably smaller than its full-sized counterpart, the MX Keys. Despite its compact size, this wireless keyboard still boasts a stylish and modern design, making it a beautiful addition to any desk setup.

The minimalist keyboard features a solid aluminum frame with a matte finish, giving it a premium look and feel. Additionally, the rounded corners and low profile provide a sleek appearance that complements the overall design.

Weight wise the MX Keys Mini is not the lightest of keyboards, weighing in at 17.9 oz / 506.4g. However its solid build quality and the fact that it weighs less than Apple’s 11 inch smart keyboard case for iPad Pro, more than makes up for it.

One trade-off of the compact design is the absence of the numeric keypad. However, I was one of those users who rarely use this feature, the space-saving benefits outweigh the loss. A minor inconvenience for us regular travellers.

Exploring the Unique Functions of the MX Keys Mini

Although small, the MX Keys Mini is packed with features that make it stand out from other keyboards.

Some of its unique functions include:

  • Smart Illumination: The keyboard boasts smart illumination backlit keys, which automatically adjusts its backlighting based on the ambient lighting conditions, ensuring optimal visibility at all times. Additionally, the keys light up as your hands approach the keyboard, adding a touch of futuristic flair.

  • Perfect Stroke Keys: The keys on the MX Keys Mini are designed with a spherical dishing and a tactile scissor mechanism that delivers a comfortable and precise typing experience. This design helps to reduce typing errors and increase overall typing speed.

  • Logitech Flow: This feature allows you to control multiple devices seamlessly by simply moving the cursor between them. With Logitech Flow, you can copy and paste text, images, and files between your devices with ease.

  • Function Keys: The top row of the MX Keys Mini includes 12 fn keys:

F1 - Bluetooth Device 1

F2 - Bluetooth Device 2

F3 - Bluetooth Device 3

F4 - Reduce Backlit Keys Brightness

F5 - Increase Backlit Keys Brightness

F6 - Voice Dictation

F7 - Emoji Key

F8 - Screen Snapshot

F9 - Mute

F10 - Pause / Play

F11 - Volume Mute

F12 - Volume Down

INS - Volume Up

Despite the impressive out of the box functionality, each f key can be customised using the Logitech Options software. This allows you to access your favorite shortcuts, apps, and settings quickly and easily.



Seamless Pairing with Multiple Devices

The MX Keys Mini offers versatile connectivity options to suit your needs. It supports Bluetooth, making it compatible with a wide range of devices.

One standout feature is the ability to pair with up to three bluetooth devices, allowing you to switch between them with the press of a button.

This can be incredibly useful if you frequently work with multiple devices, such as a desktop, laptop, and tablet. In my case I use the MX Keys Mini for my laptop, tablet and occasionally phone, when tight on space.

MX Keys Mini is compatible with multiple operating systems including: Windows, Linux and Mac computers.

How the MX Keys Mini Stands Up to Full-Sized Counterparts

Given its compact size, you might wonder if the MX Keys Mini can deliver a satisfying typing experience. The good news is that it does not disappoint. The “Perfect Stroke” Keys, as mentioned earlier, provide a comfortable and precise typing experience, making it feel more like a full-sized keyboard.

The key travel is smooth and responsive, and the tactile feedback is just right for touch typists. The spacing between the keys is also well-designed, reducing the chances of hitting the wrong key.

It's worth noting that the MX Keys Mini might not be ideal for users who rely heavily on the numeric keypad, as this feature has been removed to save space. If this is a deal-breaker for you, you might want to consider the full-sized MX Keys instead.





Personalizing Your MX Keys Mini Experience

To get the most out of your MX Keys Mini, you'll want to use the Logitech Options software. This software allows you to customize the function keys, adjust the backlighting settings, and enable features like Logitech Flow.

The software ensures a seamless experience regardless of your device. With a user-friendly interface and a wealth of customization options, you can truly make the MX Keys Mini your own.





Powering Through Your Workday and Beyond

The MX Keys Mini is equipped with a built-in rechargeable battery, which is capable of lasting up to 10 days on a single charge with the backlighting enabled. If you turn off the backlighting, the battery life can be extended to an impressive 5 months.

Charging the keyboard is quick and convenient, thanks to the included USB-C cable. A full charge takes about 3 hours via USB C, but you can still use the keyboard while it's charging, ensuring minimal disruption to your workflow.

A battery indicator in the Logitech Options software will alert you when the battery is running low, so you'll never be caught off guard.

Perfect Scenarios for the MX Keys Mini in Your Daily Life

The MX Keys Mini is an ideal choice for a variety of users, including:

  • Remote workers: The compact size, premium build quality, and versatile connectivity options makes it perfect for professionals working from home or on the go.

  • Minimalist enthusiasts: If you value a clean, clutter-free workspace, the keyboard's sleek design and space-saving footprint are sure to impress.

  • Creative professionals: The customisable function keys and Logitech Flow features allow for seamless multitasking, making it a valuable tool for designers, writers, and other creative professionals.

  • Travelers: The compact size and durable build make the keyboard a great companion for those who need a reliable keyboard while on the move.

Of course, this is not an exhaustive list, and the MX Keys Mini can be a fantastic addition to any user's arsenal.





How the MX Keys Mini Rivals Other Compact Keyboards

The MX Keys Mini faces competition from other compact keyboards on the market, such as the Apple Magic Keyboard and the Microsoft Designer Compact Keyboard. While each keyboard has its strengths, the MX Keys Mini sets itself apart with the following unique features:

  • Smart Illumination

  • Perfect Stroke Keys

  • Logitech Flow

Additionally, the ability to customise the function keys and the impressive battery life give it a competitive edge over other wireless keyboards.





Final Verdict

I continue to use the Logitech MX Keys Mini both for the home office and when travelling. It offers an excellent balance of compactness, functionality, and style. With its unique features, versatile connectivity options, and satisfying typing experience, it's choice which I do not regret to this day.

I highly recommend the MX Keys Mini particularly for it’s travel friendly weight and compactness.

However, if you rely heavily on the numeric keypad, you may want to consider the full-sized MX Keys instead.

Happy typing!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes, the Logitech MX Keys Mini features smart illumination with proximity sensors that detect your hands and adjust the backlighting accordingly.

    This makes it easy to work in low-light conditions and helps save battery life.

  • The Logitech MX Keys Mini has a rechargeable battery that can last up to 10 days with the backlighting on and up to 5 months with the backlighting off, depending on usage.

  • The Logitech MX Keys Mini supports multi-device pairing and can be connected with up to three devices simultaneously, making it easy to switch between your computer, tablet, and smartphone.

  • Yes, the Logitech MX Keys Mini allows you to customize the function keys using the Logitech Options software, which is available for both Windows and macOS.

  • The Logitech MX Keys Mini is compatible with a wide range of operating systems, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux.

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How to Boost AI Prompt Productivity with TextExpander!

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AI prompting has become increasingly important in many industries, from content generation to chatbots. One of the challenges that regular users and AI prompt engineers face is coming up with a diverse and consistent set of AI prompts that suit their workflow.

Open Laptop with Open AI and Textexpander logo with text stating turbocharge your ai workflow

Text expansion tools can help solve this problem and improve the efficiency of AI prompting. Discover how text expansion tools work and how they can benefit the AI prompting process.

What Are Text Expansion Tools?

Text expansion tools are software programs that automatically expand a short abbreviation or keyword into a longer phrase or sentence.

Up until the dawn of AI, they have been commonly used in email clients, word processors, and other text-based applications to save time and improve productivity.

Text expansion tools work by creating a list of abbreviations and their corresponding expanded text (AI Prompts). When the user types an abbreviation, the tool automatically replaces it with the expanded text.

How Can Text Expansion Tools Help with AI Prompting?

Text expansion tools can benefit the AI prompting process in several ways:

  1. Creating a large and diverse set of prompts: Text expansion tools can help you create a large and diverse set of AI prompts quickly and efficiently. By creating a list of abbreviations and their corresponding AI prompts, you can easily generate a large number of AI prompts with just a few keystrokes.

  2. Standardising prompts: Text expansion tools can help standardize prompts by ensuring that all AI prompts are written in a consistent format. This can help improve the quality of the data returned by the AI model and significantly reduce the amount of time spent editing prompts.

  3. Improving accuracy: Text expansion tools can also help improve the accuracy of prompts by reducing the likelihood of typos and other errors. This can help ensure that the AI model is trained on accurate and reliable data.

  4. Speeding up the AI prompting process: Finally, text expansion tools can help speed up the AI prompting process by reducing the amount of time and effort required to create a large and diverse set of prompts. This can help AI users work more efficiently and meet project deadlines more effectively.

What is the Most Popular Text Expansion Tool for AI Prompting?

A common text expansion tool used by both general AI users and experienced Prompt Engineers is TextExpander by Smile Software.

Smile Software Inc., often referred to as just Smile, is a renowned software development company specializing in productivity tools and applications. Established in 2003, the company has a longstanding reputation for creating innovative and user-friendly solutions that streamline workflows and enhance overall efficiency for users across different platforms.

Over the years, Smile has developed an impressive lineup of products, with TextExpander being one of their most popular and widely recognized offerings. TextExpander has garnered significant acclaim for its time-saving capabilities, and its ability to help users create, manage, and insert custom text snippets across various applications.

Why is TextExpander Better Suited to AI Prompting Than Other Tools?

In addition to its affordable cost, one of TextExpanders many features are “Fill-in Fields”. Fill-in fields are custom fields which can be easily created to automatically request custom text.

In the case of AI prompts single or multiple Fill-in fields can trigger a dialog box for you to add custom text to a standard prompt, ensuring prompt consistency.

Textexpander Snippet

chatgpt prompt screen showing a textexpander snippet fill-in field dialog box requesting input

Textexpander Fill-In Field Dialog Box

TextExpander provides several different types of Fill-in fields:

Single Line Fields: Enter a single numerical or textual value by typing it in or copying and pasting.

Popup Menus: Select from a set of predefined options.

Optional Sections: This content remains consistent but doesn't need to be displayed every time.

Multi Line Fields: Permits multiple lines of text to be shown. You can type, copy/paste, or expand other snippets within this field and the single-line field.

For AI prompting you may choose to use Fill-in fields to customise the subject of a single prompt.

TextExpander can be a valuable asset if you’re looking to improve the efficiency of the AI prompting process.

By creating a large and diverse set of prompts quickly and efficiently, standardizing prompts, improving accuracy, and speeding up the AI prompting process, TextExpander can help you work more efficiently and effectively.

With the help of TextExpander, you can generate high-quality AI data that can improve automation and streamline business operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Text expansion is a productivity tool that allows users to create custom abbreviations or shortcuts for frequently used phrases or text snippets.

    When the user types the abbreviation, the text expansion software automatically replaces it with the predefined phrase or text snippet, saving time and effort.

  • To start using text expansion, you will need to choose a text expansion software or tool that suits your needs. Popular choices include TextExpander, PhraseExpress, and Typinator.

    Once you've chosen a tool, create your custom abbreviations and text snippets within the software, and start using them while you work.

  • Text expansion streamlines the process of creating AI prompts by allowing you to save time on typing repetitive phrases or code snippets.

    It helps to avoid errors, maintain consistency, and focus on more creative aspects of the AI prompt creation process.

  • Yes, text expansion tools are available for both Windows and macOS.

    Some popular options for Windows include PhraseExpress and FastKeys, while TextExpander and Typinator are popular choices for macOS.

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Ergonomics and Style Combined: A Review of the FlexiSpot Standing Desk

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More and more people are working from home either full time or on a hybrid basis, making the search for an ergonomic standing desk solution a top priority.

I was in the same position a few years back and after much research, I decided on the FlexiSpot Standing Desk.

As a result a standing desk has made my workdays more comfortable and productive than ever before!

With so many options on the market, purchasing the right electrically adjustable standing desk is key. Having never previously heard of FlexiSpot, I decided to do some research.

Standing Desk Health Benefits

Standing desks have gained popularity in recent years as a healthier alternative to traditional sitting desks. By allowing users to switch between sitting and standing positions throughout the day, these ergonomic workstations offer a multitude of benefits for physical and mental health, productivity, and overall well-being.

Here is an overview of the key benefits of standing desks:

  1. Improved posture and reduced back pain: Help users maintain a more natural posture, reducing the strain on the neck, shoulders, and back caused by prolonged sitting. This can lead to decreased back pain and a reduced risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders.

  2. Increased calorie burn: Standing requires more energy than sitting, which means users burn more calories when they opt to stand at their desks. This can contribute to weight management and a reduced risk of obesity-related health issues.

  3. Enhanced productivity and focus: May improve productivity by promoting alertness, energy, and focus. Users often report feeling more engaged and less fatigued when they alternate between sitting and standing throughout the workday.

  4. Reduced risk of chronic diseases: Long periods of sitting have been linked to a higher risk of developing chronic diseases, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. By reducing sedentary time, standing desks may help lower these risks.

  5. Improved mood and energy levels: Standing can increase blood flow and help oxygenate the brain, leading to better mood and energy levels. This, in turn, can positively impact mental well-being and reduce the risk of depression and anxiety.

  6. Encouragement of movement: Encourage users to move more frequently, which can help combat the negative effects of a sedentary lifestyle. Even small movements like shifting weight, stretching, or walking can make a significant difference in overall health. Some users even use a desk bike!

  7. Customisable comfort: Modern adjustable desks allow users to find the perfect height for their comfort and individual needs. This promotes better ergonomics and reduces the likelihood of strain or injury.

A standing desk may also facilitate impromptu discussions and teamwork such as daily stand ups, contributing to a more dynamic and innovative work environment.

By integrating these versatile workstations into your daily routine, you can improve posture, increase calorie burn, enhance focus, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and promote a more active and engaging work environment.

Who are FlexiSpot?

FlexiSpot have been making high quality furniture for over 10 years. They advertise that they manufacture “kinetic furniture that's never stuck in one place or position”.

Their use of high quality materials has helped them gain over 10 million customers, FlexiSpot standing desks are the No. 1 top rated standing desk by Tech Radar in both 2021 and 2022 giving it a well deserved star rating.

FlexiSpot also boast excellent green credentials, in that they use materials that are easy to recycle or have since been recycled. When it comes to wood, FlexiSpot make sure that their wood comes from sustainability management forests.

Most of FlexiSpot's desktops are certified by FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council), with many of their products being certified by IGR as ergonomic products.

FlexiSpot aren’t only about desks, they also manufacture office chairs and desk accessories such as attachable drawers and cable management ducts.

They even use climate-neutral shipping methods!

What is a FlexiSpot standing desk and why should you consider it for your work or home office

An electric standing desk is a new flexible way to work in your home office. By providing an adjustable height and spacious desktop surface, the desk allows for much more versatility for both short and tall individuals.

Additionally, FlexiSpot’s design helps improve posture and reduce fatigue associated with sitting for long periods of time. It also improves productivity due to the alternate sitting and standing positions FlexiSpot offers. Because of all its features, Flexispot's standing desk is an excellent choice for those who want to increase their comfort and ergonomics while in their workspace.

With FlexiSpot’s adjustable design, you can optimize your set-up depending on your purpose or favored activity.

Pros and cons of Having the FlexiSpot Standing Desk

For those looking for the ultimate in office ergonomics, an electric standing desk is a great choice. This adjustable desk allows you to customise your perfect sitting and standing position via an easy to use control pad, so you can get comfortable and productive.

Furthermore, its affordable price point makes it an attractive option for most budgets.

On the downside, the desk requires a little bit of assembly which can make setup a little challenging, especially if you're not particularly handy with tools. Although the Flexispot standing desk instructions are clear. FlexiSpot do offer a version which is semi complete, making setup even easier.

Despite this, FlexiSpot provides a great balance between features, ergonomics and cost that make it a worthwhile consideration by those seeking an adjustable desk at a reasonable price point.

FlexiSpot Standing Desk Features

FlexiSpot offer a full range of standing desks from semi complete and L-Shaped electric standing desks, to electronically adjustable frame, desktop and electronics.

  • Dual electric motors controlled by an easy to use digital keypad.

  • Frame Height: 71cm - 119cm

  • Frame Width: 110cm - 180cm

  • Desktop Options
    Width: 100cm - 160cm
    Depth: 60cm - 80cm
    Colours: Maple, Mahogany, Black, White, Graphite, Maple Grey.

  • Minimalist clean design

Being handy with a screwdriver, I opted for the separate frame, desktop and electronics, which, with the included clear assembly instructions, only took approximately 60 minutes to setup.

How to adjust the height for optimal ergonomics

Ergonomics are essential for ensuring productivity and comfort, but it can be difficult to get it just right. The proper height for a workplace surface such as a desk or countertop is calculated by taking into account your body size and the type of tasks being conducted.

Making subtle adjustments in height via the easy to use control pad, can significantly improve work posture which leads to improved efficiency while reducing fatigue and physical strain.

Flexispot standing desk grey frame with electronic control panel on white background

When adjusting height, keep the elbow joint at a 90-degree angle and the torso upright to reduce hunching.

To achieve optimal ergonomic positioning of your standing desk, experiment with different heights until you find one that supports your body comfortably throughout your day.

Final Thoughts

Purchasing a Flexispot standing desk for my workspace, was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Not only does it look neat and modern, but having different levels to work on means that I am able to mix up the way I work during the day.

Gone are the days when I had to stay slumped in one position all day. It's also a great addition to my space because I can switch back and forth whenever necessary without any hassle or risk of hurting my back.

If you're looking for an affordable yet quality option for your workspace, a standing desk is definitely worth considering.

Overall, a standing desk is something that anyone looking to upgrade their home or office workspace should consider. It provides multiple benefits for your health, productivity, and comfort.

So if you're thinking of setting up an effective work or home office environment, look no further! Investing in a Flexispot standing desk is absolutely the right choice!

Click the link below to find out more.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Maximum load varies between models. FlexiSpot electric standing desks can typically lift between 80kg - 100kg.

  • The control pad enables you to set up to 4 programmable height settings, with up and down buttons for adhoc adjustments. The control panel also has a digital display showing current height in cm.

  • FlexiSpot warranties are from 3 - 10 years subject to desk model. Their warranties cover the frame, motor and “other mechanisms”.