Key decision
by Ian Knott | July 7, 2026 11:26 am
By Ian Knott
Gaming keyboards have become surprisingly complicated. Magnetic switches, Rapid Trigger, adjustable actuation points, analogue input… before long it starts to feel as though you need a degree in engineering just to buy one. Logitech seems to have recognised that and, rather than chasing every trend, has produced something that sits comfortably between a traditional mechanical keyboard and the latest generation of magnetic-switch designs.
Available in both 75-key and 98-key layouts, the G512 X gives buyers a choice between a more compact footprint or one that still includes a number pad. The 98-key version strikes a particularly nice balance, trimming away some unnecessary bulk while keeping the layout familiar enough that you’re not constantly hunting for keys.
Instead of filling the entire keyboard with magnetic switches, Logitech has concentrated them around the keys competitive gamers are most likely to use. The remaining keys use conventional mechanical switches, giving the keyboard a feel that’s immediately familiar while still allowing features such as Rapid Trigger and adjustable actuation where they’ll make the biggest difference. It’s an approach that has divided opinion slightly. You may question why Logitech didn’t make every key magnetic, but then limiting the technology to the gaming keys may actually be the smarter, more practical decision.
Whichever side of that argument you fall on, the keyboard has earned praise for something far more important: it simply feels good to use.
Mechanical keyboards sometimes excel in games while becoming tiresome for everyday typing. That doesn’t appear to be the case here. The switches feel crisp without being overly loud, the double-shot PBT keycaps have a quality feel under your fingertips, and long typing sessions are just as comfortable as late-night gaming marathons. Whether you’re answering emails, writing documents or spending hours in your favourite game, the G512 X doesn’t seem to favour one task over another.
Visually, it’s one of Logitech’s best-looking keyboards to date. With the lighting switched off, it’s understated enough to sit happily on almost any desk. Turn the RGB lighting on, though, and the whole keyboard comes to life. The per-key illumination is joined by a full-width light bar along the front edge, creating a surprisingly refined effect rather than the flashing rainbow explosion that many gaming keyboards seem unable to resist.
That front light bar becomes even more impressive if you pair it with Logitech’s optional acrylic palm rest. Shaped almost like a clear prism, it catches the light and spreads it throughout the entire rest, creating a glow that’s difficult to appreciate in photographs. It certainly isn’t an essential accessory, but aesthetically it transforms the keyboard into something that looks genuinely spectacular on a desk.
Anyone who enjoys personalising their setup will probably lose a few hours inside Logitech G Hub. Lighting effects, macros, key assignments and analogue switch behaviour can all be adjusted to suit individual preferences, yet none of that customisation feels mandatory. The keyboard works perfectly well straight out of the box, which is exactly how it should be.
The G512 X isn’t without compromise. Logitech has opted for a wired-only design at a time when wireless gaming keyboards have become increasingly capable, and a few users have felt the plastic chassis didn’t quite match the premium asking price. Those criticisms surfaced often enough to be worth mentioning, although neither seemed significant enough to overshadow the keyboard’s strengths.
Perhaps the most interesting thing about the G512 X is that it doesn’t feel like a product trying to out-spec everything else on the market. Instead, Logitech appears to have focused on making a keyboard that’s approachable. You don’t need to understand every acronym or spend hours fine-tuning actuation points before it starts making sense. Plug it in, customise as much or as little as you like, and get on with using it.
There will always be enthusiasts who want every key to be magnetic, every setting to be infinitely adjustable and every specification pushed to the limit. The G512 X isn’t really chasing that audience. It’s aimed at gamers who appreciate quality hardware but also want something that feels familiar from the first keystroke. Judging by the broad consensus from reviewers, Logitech has judged that balance remarkably well.
Source URL: https://metropol.co.nz/logitech-g512x-keyboard/