Logitech’s G512 X keyboard finally makes adjustable actuation feel practical

Logitech gaming keyboards disagree with me. I think they are too expensive for too few features, pretty much across the board. But the company is doing its best to change my opinion. The new Logitech G512

The Logitech G512 These are designed for an AR/Battlestation setup that seeks no forgiveness. At first glance, it’s clear that Logitech is going for a much more straightforward “gaming” look than the clean blacks and whites of other G-series keyboards. Company representatives described it as “cyberpunk” in a presentation, and yes, I see it. The black models have purple accents and the white ones are teal, both with a gigantic RGB stripe on the sides and across the entire front. This gigantic front light panel will also illuminate a translucent wrist rest for an even bigger light show, although you’ll unfortunately have to purchase it separately.

Logitech

Reinforcing its unapologetic gaming credentials, this design is wired-only, with no wireless options. This makes sense with TMR sensors (tunnel magnetoresistance, an alternative to the Hall effect for adjustable actuation), 8,000 Hz polling, and large RGB lighting, all of which would eat through a battery like nobody’s business. But adjustable actuation isn’t present on all switches: only 39 of them, including the spacebar. TMR switches end with 7/U/J/M on each row, basically anything you can reach with your left hand, plus the group of arrows. This is smart, both for practical reasons (who needs 50 sensitivity points on Page Up?) and for cost-saving reasons.

Logitech

The design also eliminates one of the biggest weaknesses of adjustable actuation keyboards: limited hot swap functionality. This keyboard offers standard hot-swappable sockets that are compatible with hundreds of MX standard switch choices, as well as Gateron TMR switches. This is something I’ve only seen elsewhere on the Glorious GMMK 3.

To offer even more options, Logitech offers what it calls SAPP (Second Actuation Pressure Point) rings. These little silicone(?) rings for the switch stem give you a tactile bump that makes it easier to detect where a secondary switch point is, at least if you set it up correctly. It’s an intriguing idea, one that might sell me on adjustable actuation for actual functionality…if it works like Logitech says it does. We’ll see.

The keyboard features other innovative keys, including tactile or linear MX switches installed by default, but nine Gateron TMR switches included in the box. Or rather in the keyboard itself, as they hang out in a dedicated storage bay at the top of the keyboard. (They hide behind a small door.) How will you exchange them? With the included keycap and switch pullers…which also double as keyboard feet. Neat! There are really some interesting ideas collected here.

Logitech

Logitech wants $180 for the 75% model of the G512 X and $200 for the nearly full-size model. It’s not cheap, especially for a wired-only card, but it’s not crazy for TMR functionality. (Consider that Razer wants $250 for a full-size analog board, although that includes a wrist rest, while Logitech wants $39/$45 more here.) At these prices, this design has to cover just about every aspect, including software… and the proprietary G Hub doesn’t have a great track record.

I’m getting a review unit to test all of this out. If you’d rather try your luck ASAP, they’re on sale now at the official Logitech store.