Logitech has got to be the worst keyboard maker ever

██████████@lemmy.world to Technology@lemmy.world – 55 points –

Their software is a nightmare it No Longer Works. It just redirects you to web pages. I just want to remove the hotkeys but guess I'll just snap the keyboard in half

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Many years ago I bought a Logitech keyboard - like 2005 maybe.

I installed their software. From then on, my computer would not shut down, it would hang forever and require a hard power off. This was windows, XP I guess back then. I eventually clicked I’d just installed their keyboard driver, so I could use the media keys. I tried uninstalling, lo and behold, computer now functioned properly.

The media keys still worked so I don’t even know wtf I needed their shitty driver for in the first place.

Anyway I emailed their support. They linked me to a ticket that said it was a known issue. I’m like, that ticket is from over 6 months ago? Their response was “software development takes time”.

I have not bought another Logitech product since.

This is the biggest issue with development. As someone with industry experience, the higher ups only want to develop new and flashy amazing bullshit instead of actually, I don't know, MAKING A GOOD FUCKING PRODUCT THAT WORKS PROPERLY or even JUST WORKS AS DESCRIBED.

You would think that being functional, especially in the world of accounting and legislation would be a high priority. You would be wrong. The bug list was longer than the enhancement request list. It's all about sales. As soon as the product is integrated, you're fucked. It's so much money to disintegrate and get a new system, that they don't bother.

Pisses me off, because I have had to tell people, 'Yes, sorry this is a known bug for 2 FUCKING YEARS and development is working on a fix.'

The bug list is always longer than the feature request list, because I’ll definitely implement more than one bug per feature I implement. The ratio is many hundreds to one there in general. That’s just programming.

Razer has entered the chat

Razer Synapse is hands down the worst piece of software I've ever used. Their drivers can't find their own ass with both hands and a map. If I had a dime for every time my Razer mouse or keyboard fucked up during a game and screwed me over I'd have enough money to buy an actually good mouse and keyboard.

Razer are pretty awful. Their hardware seems to come from Factory A (the units that 12 year old tech reviewers seem to get stock from) and Factory B (the units that only I seem to have gotten stock from). I had a Razer Kraken Pro headset and it was so tight it gave me an ear infection. I used to stretch it over my ATX tower every night (and I mean, it felt like it was going to break the headset). But it still never loosened. Ended up returning it.

I then bought a mouse from them and it died within 3 months, lights would just flash. Oh, and I'm a Linux user so fuck me for wanting software.

I've been using this setup for only about 8 months, connected to a newer laptop and I haven't had any issues. In fact, it's been best keyboard and mouse I've ever used. MX Keys and MX Master 3S. They're not cheap though.

the hardware is absolutely great, it's this dumb software that sucks dick

I have the same keyboard and it is so dumb that you can't modify the backlit duration, Of course I love the backlit going dark in the entirety of my dark room! FFS Logitech, there are lots of feedback about it but they just don't fuckin care.

I just have the keyboard and use it mostly with my iPad. It’s excellent.

On my pc I haven’t touched the software in years maybe, so I don’t even know if I have any complaints.

Switch to Linux and you won't have to deal with it

It doesn't have Linux support, like most things 🥹

Solaar seems to work fine. Honestly Linux's third party software often supports hardware better than the Windows first party software.

I've used Logitech on Linux for years without issues. Never once touched their software though.

You end up getting an arduino and just making your own because companies make whatever products people will buy and people buy whatever cheap junk claims to be better. Most of us here are likely from the era of Honda Civic body kits; back in the day with infamous door side decals sold on eBay claiming to add +5hp. The proven marketing strategy hasn't changed. 'Yeah! Sure you can customize your keyboard layout'...with this software we got an intern to write for free and never reviewed.

I had only logitech for years, using Windows, Linux, BSD, Dos… without any issues. The older model (probably 15years+) is still working perfectly, mechanical & PS/2. And that has been drowned in Coffee, water, whiskey and what else. Put it in the washing machine (with some clothes to bolster), let it dry and use it like the first day! 👌🏼 Even my current one, for about 10 years in service works like a charm. I admit both are #lowtech devices

Yes, they have great products. I love their headphones (had the g930 & am now using the g935) but their software is something else. They're not updating their stuff to newer operating systems, so you have to find some workarounds.

Great products but a idgaf attitude on their drivers + software.

Yes, that sucks and is totally frustrating. Yet another “good” example of vendor lock-in.

That’s why I’m more cautious, research a lot and even test new products before I finally buy them. And I prefer simple “dump” solutions over “smart” ones, whenever possible.

I still think my two illuminated K800s are the best keyboards I’ve ever had. When they brake I’m pretty sure I’ll buy more of them.

I'm in the market for a new budget gaming keyboard soon, what do you recommend?

Keychron makes entry-level mechanical keyboards that are absolutely superb. You can start out looking at their range.

This! Great cost-quality ratio for the mechanical keyboard sphere, its hard to be disappointed.

What keyboard are you using?

Is it part of the office line or gaming line? I know for software, office line uses logitech options while gaming uses g hub (but they both suck)

While I love Logitech for their mice, I won't touch their other devices with a ten foot pole. Keyboards especially. When theres such a wide open world out there of keyboard options from compact low profile to fully DIY and soldered mechanical keyboards, there no reason to be subjected to Logitech software and hardware.

I really like my g915 TKL and there are really two main reasons.

Its low profile so it doesn't cause me to have intense pain in my wrist from inadvertantly arching my wrist.

It also has a really nice battery life so it basically never dies on me.

The fact that it's mechanical is nice too.

As for the cons? Well the keys have gone to shit. Bad plastic. Still usable but not nearly as pretty as it once was. Also micro USB. But it's the same story on the super light so at least they can share a connector.

If those issues could be fixed without loosing the benefits id happily move on to something else. Until then? 915 it is. Don't use the software either so that doesn't really bother me much.