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Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin The new Alogic Echelon keyboard and mouse are affordable alternatives to Apple’s Magic Keyboard and … [+] mouse. Alogic Alogic is a brand you might not know, but this Australian company has been creating quite a stir in the computer accessories market with its range of Clarity 4K monitors, Thunderbolt hubs, power banks and now keyboards and mice. The company is agile and innovative in the way it develops products which sell for sensible prices and, most importantly to me, Alogic doesn’t forget macOS users The latest launch from Alogic goes on sale today in the form of the Echelon Series of wireless keyboards and mice. These new peripherals join the likes of more-established keyboard brands like Logitech and Keychron. The keyboard market seems to be positively buzzing now, largely thanks to the working-from-home revolution. The Alogic Echelon wireless Bluetooth keyboard comes in two flavors: macOS and Windows. That said, both versions can also work with a wide range of devices including iOS, Android, Chrome and Linux. There is also a matching wireless mouse to go with the keyboards and the PC version comes with both Bluetooth and low-latency 2.4GHz RF dongle connectivity. The PC kit is available as a combo unit with both keyboard and mouse. The Alogic Echelon keyboard for macOS includes a full numeric keyboard and some very handy shortcut … [+] keys that are exclusive to macOS. Alogic For this review, I’m going to focus on the Echelon keyboard and mouse for macOS, but most of what I say applies equally to the Windows SKU. To begin with, the macOS Echelon keyboard is finished in white and would be an ideal replacement keyboard for iMac or Mac mini. The PC version comes in a black. MORE FOR YOU WWE NXT Battleground Results, Winners And Grades From The UFC Apex That Sweet 2TB Galaxy Black Xbox Series X Will Be Mine, Cosmically SEVENTEEN ENHYPEN And TWICE Are K Pop Acts Pushing 2024 s Unprecedented Touring Growth The macOS Echelon keyboard has a few handy shortcut keys that are already set up and don’t require the installation of any software or drivers. To start with, there are special keys for Cut, Copy, Paste and Select All. Those keys, once you remember to use them, can speed up the editing of documents and spreadsheets. I don’t think I’ve come across a Mac keyboard with those functions built in. The Cut, Copy, Paste and Select All shortcuts are positioned at the top right of the keyboard, just above the numeric keypad. Having a proper numpad is so handy when entering data on a spreadsheet or for inputting on a web-based CMS. So many keyboards these days feature compact 65% or 75% layouts, it’s refreshing to see a Mac keyboard launching with a numeric keypad. There is a matching Alogic Echelon mouse to go with the keyboard. The mouse and keyboard can connect … [+] and switch between up to three different Bluetooth devices. Alogic The Echelon Mac keyboard also has two additional system shortcuts. First up is a special Downloads Folder key. This key sits to the next to the right-hand Option button and a single press instantly opens the Downloads folder. This is so useful when you are downloading files from the Internet and want to put them somewhere else. The second handy button is the Desktop Folder (F6) which instantly accesses the user’s desktop folder, a place where many people often store key files, applications or screenshots before filing them away. There is no dedicated keyboard software for programming the Echelon keyboard, but all the special macOS keys work straight out of the box and don’t need setting up. If you specifically need a keyboard with programmability and macros, then Logitech and Keychron are worth a look. The new keyboard can connect with up to three separate Bluetooth devices and switching between them just takes a single key press and you can move from a laptop to your tablet very easily. There is a Windows version of the Alogic Echelon keyboard and mouse. Alogic Thanks to some efficient power management, the Echelon’s integrated rechargeable batteries mean there’s no need to use expensive and disposable alkaline batteries. A single charge of the keyboard and mouse batteries via a USB-C cable can provide weeks of uninterrupted usage and helps to reduce environmental impact. Another reason for the Echelon keyboard’s long battery life is due to the fact it doesn’t have any power-hungry LED backlights. Illuminated keys can be useful, especially with shine-thru legends when working on video in a dark edit suite, but I think many people often turn off backlights to save battery life. One small point I noticed is that the keyboard can’t connect to a host device via USB. You must connect via Bluetooth or 2.4GHz RF. However, it’s possible to recharge the keyboard battery and connect and work over Bluetooth simultaneously. The new Echelon keyboard and mouse from Alogic is an affordable alternative to Apple’s Magic … [+] Keyboard. Alogic There is a matching Echelon wireless Bluetooth mouse is available for both the Mac and Windows layouts. Both the Echelon mouse and keyboard can pair with up to three Bluetooth-enabled devices, including iPhones, iPads, and Android devices. The Windows version of the keyboard and mouse ship as a combo kit and also include a 2.4GHz USB wireless dongle that provides a connection to the host computer with a much higher polling rate for lower latency. Verdict: These new Echelon keyboards and mice from Alogic offer a lot for the money. They are well made and while maybe not quite the same built quality as Logitech’s MX Keys range, they do offer exceptionally good value for money. The keyboard will suit anyone who is used to typing on the low-profile style keyboard used on laptops and it compares well with Logitech’s new Signature Slim Combo set. I love it when a company brings a product to market with genuine innovation, and that’s what the Echelon keyboard offers with its special keys designed to boost productivity when working with macOS. Recommended. Pricing & Availability: The Echelon range of wireless keyboards and mice are now available for purchase in the USA, UK, EU and Australia. The Alogic Echelon Bluetooth USB-C Rechargeable 4 Keys Mouse costs $24.99 / £24.99 / €24.99 while the Alogic Echelon USB-C Rechargeable Bluetooth Full Size Keyboard for Mac sells for $59.99 / £59.99 / €74.99. Windows users can buy the black PC version of the Echelon keyboard with bundled mouse for a very reasonable $69.99 / £69.99 / €84.99. More info: ALOGICALOGIC | Monitor, Docking Station, Wireless Charger, Wall Chargers Follow me on LinkedIn. Mark Sparrow Following Editorial Standards Print Reprints & Permissions

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