I love my iPad, and there’s pretty much no hiding it. I love the form factor, the portability, and utility that a quality tablet offers, but combining that with the power of the App Store makes the iPad a fantastic device. But as a budding journalist it’s hard for me to not want to do some serious word processing on my little darling, and the virtual keyboard, while useful in short bursts, feels awkward when going into long stints. This is where a Bluetooth keyboard comes in handy. For this week’s GotTech product review, we’ll be doing a quick overview of Logitech’s solar-powered K760 keyboard.

The K760 is a Bluetooth keyboard specifically designed for Mac product usage. Compatible with any iDevice with iOS 4.0 or later as well as Mac OS 10.5 or later, the keys are set to let you jump between controlling up to three Apple (iPad, iPod, Macbook?) at the same time. Syncing the keyboard is as easy as hitting the function button you want to map the device to, then enabling the device for discovery. The remainder of the function buttons are programmed to Mac-specific controls, increasing and decreasing brightness/volume, and there’s even a keyboard eject button in case you need the virtual keyboard to appear. They’ve covered many of the necessary bases for basic functionality.

The company boasts that a fully-charged battery would work for three months in pure darkness; though I didn’t have the opportunity to take it underground for three months, I never had an issue with the battery running low. Checking the battery status is as easy as hitting the F8 button and watching the LED on the end of the keyboard light up, while charging it is as simple as…well, letting it sit on the desk. It takes power from both sunlight and indoor lighting; six hours in normal indoor lighting will fully charge the battery. When I first started using the K760 I wished it had a charging port so that I could plug it into a wall for a quick boost if need be, but after working with it in a plethora of conditions, I can’t really imagine needing it. The battery is good for two years; if it needs to be replaced before then, removal is as simple as taking the back off. But this keyboard is all about portability, so don’t worry about charging; having to drag along another accessory is against this baby’s motif.

As far as form-factor is concerned, the Logitech K760 is slim, trim, and sleek. The white-on-silver design goes well with Apple devices, and it sports the traditional raised-key layout that the Macbook has made popular. The keys themselves are slightly convex to fit the curve of the finger, and the button presses feel firm. Key response time is fantastic with no delays experienced, and it can be operated from up to 30 feet away from its device. Though I haven’t seen a button that shortcuts to it on any other keyboards, I would have loved an app-switching key so I could rotate without having to reach over to my iPad and swipe, but in pretty much all other areas, this keyboard’s great.

At a price point of $79.99, the Logitech K760 is on the higher end of the spectrum, but it’s also well worth it. Between the solar-powered charging, battery life, great form, and functionality for up to three devices, there’s a lot of bang for your buck. Perhaps the only change I’d request is some sort of carrying case for it; it’s hard to recommend a solo keyboard when there are so many keyboard/folio combos out there. But if you’ve already got a carrying case, or if you’re looking for a keyboard you can easily use with your other Apple devices, there’s no reason not to pick up this one.

Well, I’m going to get to putting together more awesome GotGame content (like this review), and I’m trusting that the K760’s ready to carry the load. Until next time, folks, keep an eye out for more GotTech!