Logitech G513 Carbon (Linear)

In which we talk for a while about graphs

- Alex Cox

There’s a sweet spot on the hardware scattergraph that sits between flash and function, statement and understatement, reserved for only the most balanced gear. Most peripherals land nowhere near it, and that’s not a bad thing. Everyone’s tastes are different. Some like a brash keyboard that drives them on to greatness; others prefer a subtle typer that does its job, then gets out of the way without any fuss. Logitech’s G513 Carbon nearly lands on that theoretical midpoint, but—for reasons we’ll explain—it’s not quite dead on.

Let’s start with the switches. Logitech’s Romer-G switches are, we think, some of the best in the world right now. We’re testing the linear version here (though there’s a tactile variety on offer, if that’s more your style), and it’s a super-smooth experience, with a soft, comfortable action, and some incredibly light actuation. Where Razer’s yellow switches (to pull out just one example) can be squishy and indistinct, these are sprung enough in their lower action to provide reasonable feedback, and light enough up top, with a high enough trigger point, that they forgive half-hearted keystrokes readily.