Logitech G513 is a mechanical keyboard that follows the existing minimalist trend, and which is a worthy replacement for the previous generation.
One of the problems with Logitech keyboards, even the high-end ones, is that that they don’t seem to share the same build quality as the competition. It’s only a feeling, but the review we made for the Logitech G213 Prodigy didn’t help. It was an adequate keyboard, at best.
It seems like the company is determined to up their game and it clearly shows with the latest generation of mechanical keyboards that have been released. I say keyboards because the G513 comes in three flavors. The only difference between them is the type of keys used. One is called Romer-G Tactile, the other is Romer-G Linear, and the third one is GX Blue.
As the names suggest, one is a little bit quieter than the other, and that’s pretty much it, at least for regular users. Sure, the technology underneath the keys is different, but the result is that the Tactile version is much less susceptible of getting the user killed in an office environment. It’s not a ninja keyboard, meaning that it’s not completely silent. It’s just not as loud. The third version is just more clicky if that's a word.
In any case, it’s safe to say that Logitech G513 is aimed towards gamers, but it would be unfair to say that only those people will be able to enjoy it. If anything, this type of keyboards are well suited for other tasks as well, and it’s a real shame that companies choose to market them almost at gamers, exclusively.
Design
Before getting to the more interesting stuff, like the keys, actuation force, and so on, we have to mention the design of the Logitech G516. Usually, when we think about gaming keyboards, we have a very clear image of how they must look, but that image is no longer correct.
In fact, up until 2017, gaming mechanical keyboards used to be pretty big, with multimedia buttons and a large base. For some unknown reason, companies have started to move away from that design model and are adopting a much cleaner and minimalist trend, which is a good thing. Users are now getting exactly what they need and nothing more.
The new direction that Logitech is taking with the new keyboards is an interesting one, but it’s unlikely that it will ruffle any feathers. It’s not like the previous design was an amazing one, and people will get upset for messing that up. The fact that the new keyboard feels much better than the previous generations will squash any problems that some users might have.
Besides the minimalist shape of the keyboard, the attractiveness is enhanced by the metal frame. Not only that it adds a ton of weight to the device, but it also confers a sensation of quality. And users should not underestimate something like that because it really makes a difference. There are very few devices that are not better when they’re made from a solid block of aluminum.
Keys
If we put the minimalist design aside for a moment, we’ll notice that the keys on the Logitech G513 are something special. There are two ways to look at what the company did with the keys, and they both sound like they could have been good ideas, although that remains to be seen.
The Logitech G513 keyboard actually comes in three flavors, each with a distinct type of keys. In fact, it’s the only feature that sets them apart. One if called Romer-G Tactile, one is Romer-G Linear, and the other is the GX Blue. From the sidelines, it sounds like they simply couldn’t decide just what to use with the new keyboard, and some executive said "let’s use them all".
The other possibility is that they figured users might not all like the same type of switches, and decided to offer multiple solutions. One of the issues with keyboards is that, invariably, some people will like how the keys feel and other won’t. With three options, Logitech hopes that the pool of people that don’t enjoy a type of keys will be satisfied with a different model.
As the name of the keys suggests, the technologies employed are somewhat different. Here are the exact characteristics for each model. The Romer-G Tactile keys require a 50gf tactile force, and they have a discernable bump at the end of the distance. The Romer-G Linear is described as smooth and requires an average force of 45gf. The GX Blue needs a 60gf actuation force and produces an audible click.
In a rough translation, the Romer-G Tactile provides a little bit more feedback and are a little noisier, the Romer-G Linear are mellower and are a little bit quieter, and the GX Blue sounds more like mechanical keys, and people need to press a little bit harder.
We only got to test the Romer-G Tactile and the Romer-G Linear, and a can tell you right off the bat that the Tactile version is much more appropriate for a gamer. And while I did say that they are a little bit noisier, they don’t compare with a true mechanical version. In theory, it should allow you to play in a room full of people without driving them crazy and still retaining some impression that you’re using a mechanical keyboard.
Functions and features
Of course, there is more to a keyboard than just how it looks or how it feels. Unfortunately, that spartan or minimalist look does have some drawbacks, but we’ll come to that later. The keyboard features as braided cable with two USB connectors. The second one is needed for a USB port, which is always a useful feature.
And then there is the software support, which is really important for a complex mechanical keyboard. Since each key is illuminated by its own LED, they can be controlled individually, and that’s done with the help of Logitech Gaming Software.
The software can activate all sorts of effects, but it’s much more than that. It’s possible to block specific keys during gameplay sessions, you can load profiles specific to certain supported games, you can assign different commands directly to particular, and there is a useful heatmap available as well.
It also features a second row of functions activated with an FN key, which is not ideal, but at least they are there. They are also programmable, which makes them a little bit more useful.
The last thing I have to mention is the fact that the G513 has a 26-key rollover, which means that you press a whole lot of buttons at once.
The Good
The aluminum body is also a nice touch, and it’s by far the most impressive aspect of the keyboard, especially since it works so well with the minimalist body. It also increases its mass considerably, making much more difficult to move it around.
Also, the software support seems to have improved since last year, and users have much greater control over their devices. Individual LEDs also helps a lot in this regard.
The Bad
Another thing that I don’t like is the finish of the aluminum body. Why they didn’t finish polishing the edges will forever remain a mystery. I guess they wanted an industrial feel?!
Also, the small frame for the keyboard also prevented them from placing some multimedia buttons, which would have been a welcomed addition. For example, the volume button on the Razer Huntsman Elite is great and doesn’t take a lot of space.
I need to mention the weird screw port or hole on the back just to say that I have no idea what’s it for. There is no mention of it from Logitech, and no one seems to know. It could be a port for an upcoming device, but your guess as good as mine.
Finally, I have just a small nitpick, which speaks more about me than the keyboard. As I was saying, we had two versions for testing. Before Windows boots up and loads the drivers, one of the keyboards had a default lighting model, with WASD and the arrows in different colors. The other one has DZX and some other keys in a different color, which is probably some kind of mistake.
The problem goes away after the drivers are loaded, but I would be seriously upset if I were to buy a device with this issue.
Conclusion
All in all, the Logitech G513 is a much better version than the previous generation, with a lot of quality features. With its price, it sits somewhere in the middle, both in terms of quality and features, but It’s worth considering if you’re looking for a good mechanical keyboard for your gaming setup.