Logitech Wave Keyboard Review

The F keys are different than Microsoft’s methodology.  I’m all for replacing the ambiguous “F” keys with something that’s more meaningful, but Microsoft keeps trudging ahead with their horrible F-lock mechanism.  Not only are the alternate functions of the F-keys not useful, but the usability is horrible… you can never remember if the “locked” state is the normal function or the new Microsoft function.

Logitech takes a different approach to the Function keys.  The “alternate click” key (between the right Alt and Control keys) has been replaced by “Fn” keys similar to the extra accessible functions of a keyboard.  The Function keys operate like a normal F-key, until you use the Fn key to trigger its alternate use.  This, in my opinion, is a much more usable system.  Unfortunately this functionality doesn’t work out of the box, and requires Logitech software to work.  I am never a fan of another layer of software for something as basic as a keyboard.

	Logitech Wave Fn Functions Fn key + alternate function Fn + F1 Microsoft Word Fn + F2 Microsoft Excel Fn + F3 Calendar Fn + F4 programmable a bank Fn + F5 programmable b bank Fn + F6 programmable c bank Fn + F7 Internet Explorer (or default web browser) Fn + F8 Instant Messenger Fn + F9 Default mail program Fn + F10 Search the web Fn + F11 Search your PC Fn + F12 Eject DVD Fn + Print Screen Right Click Fn + Pause Scroll Lock