Logitech Signature Slim MK950 Combo review – A knack for the clickety-clack

It’s true that our MacBook features a (mostly) silent bunch of keys and a trackpad so smooth that we’d defend both in a fight should that very particular situation ever arise. Chuck another screen into the mix though, and you’ll quickly be lobbying the higher-ups to hook you up with a new keyboard and mouse duo.

If your boss likes you, there’s a chance you might end up sharing your desk with Logitech’s Signature Slim MK950 Combo. It may be named after the K950 keyboard inside, but it sits alongside the M750 mouse which has the misfortune of being labelled an “AI mouse” which… doesn’t mean much. It’s not a permanent position, at least.

Sure, we’re reviewing a combo, but the K950 and M750 aren’t siblings by birth. If you’ve already got a mouse or keyboard atop your desk, the combo can be Parent-Trapped and picked up separately at the shops. Together is how we reviewed the duo, though, which comes in at R3,000.

Looks (and feels) the part

Our review model turned up donning an off-white hue we’d have sooner swapped out for the Graphite model Logitech sells. The off-white ended up suiting Stuff’s aesthetic just fine but we’d recommend giving it the occasional once-over with a few sprays of sanitiser and a couple of tissues to avoid landing up with a personalised Graphite setup the hard way.

Whichever colour ends up on the desk, it’ll grace it with a full-sized layout to keep the accountants happy no matter their system of choice. You’ll notice that many keys are embellished with two functions. These perform different functions when hooked up to either a Mac or Windows machine. It’s not something we noticed all that often being a Mac Stan, but we’re glad it’s there for the odd departure from tradition.

In terms of actual design, Logitech hasn’t broken the mould. Both the M750 and K950 feature the usual Logitech gimmes, meaning a fairly plain-looking (it’s called minimalism, dad!), slim and lightweight design. The mouse and keyboard weigh in at 101g and 685 respectively. It’s covered in sturdy plastic – unlike its higher-end peripherals like the MX Keys S – that never detracts from the premium feel we’ve come to expect from Logitech.

You and your backpack will be glad of the reduced weight the next time you’re lugging a setup to the nearest Starbucks.

Not so much a warrior

It won’t take much before the K950 gets to work. Whack in the two included AA batteries, flick the switch on, and voila. Which, by the way, you should be able to do comfortably for three years before swapping batteries like it’s an Xbox controller, even with Bluetooth connectivity in the mix. We’ve yet to see the battery drop from 100%, which only proves Logitech’s point. That’s a big win.

Typing feels solid across the K950’s entire length, with a responsively tactile feel helped by the decent spacing amongst the keys. They’re a shallow bunch, resulting in a comfortable experience that allowed our fingers to glide from one to the next without hassle. Those defecting from something deeper – like a gaming keyboard – might require a bit more acclimation.

We were, however, slightly disappointed to hear as much clickety-clack as we did. It’s quiet enough when stood next to a mechanical option (which keyboard isn’t?) and isn’t overly penetrating, though a skilled keyboard warrior can still illicit a few raised eyebrows from their nearby neighbours. Not that the constant clash of plastics isn’t somewhat satisfying

There’s no padding on its face, but the feet that kick out the back do at least offer some reprieve for your wrists. We’d have loved a little more flexibility that, ironically, a sturdier hinge might have provided. As is, the K950 was plenty comfortable, with no pain even during long stretches of use.

Quiet as a mouse

Like most of Logitech’s mouse efforts (not you), the ‘AI Edition’ M750’s slim design fits comfortably in hand, with plenty of grippy rubber adorning its side. Two customisable buttons sit along the left side, while an “AI button” sits under the scroll wheel and between the left and right clickers.

It’s also an almost symmetrical affair so left-handers won’t feel… left out. The grip is still comfortable when going lefty, though we did experience issues putting those buttons on the mouse’s side to good use, with only our ring finger reaching just one of the buttons comfortably. We were forced to disregard the other entirely.

Having just moved on from the Signature M650, the M750 proved to be a solid upgrade, if only because it still holds so many of the M650’s best features so near and dear – like Logi’s SilentTouch tech. DPI starts low, but a quick visit to Logi Options+ is enough to bump it up without much effort. We never strayed close to the 4,000 maximum, but it’s there for any Excel World Championship wannabes. Yeah, those exist.

It’s worth mentioning that while the ‘AI Edition’ M750 continues Logitech’s legacy in terms of comfort, we’d hardly recommend paying the extra cash for the MK950 Combo when something like the M650 can be paired up with the K950 while pulling off the same tasks – minus the power to summon ‘AI’ – for less coinage.

We haven’t quite had the chance to put Logitech’s claims of the 24-month battery life to the test, but having put the M750 through its paces day in and day out with only a minimal 5% loss, we’re willing to believe it.

Never gonna give you up (except for you, AI)

The Signature Slim M750’s worth is determined by one thing: AI. And of course, the Smart Action button that will summon ChatGPT at will (though Logitech has plans to introduce other chatbots into the mix). Nix that, and it mimics the M650 in everything from comfort to functionality – apart from one feature

For the people who are still riding the AI hype, being able to muster up an AI-written report for your boss with even less effort than before (open ChatGPT the long way) must sound cool, and ultimately makes the MK950 Combo a far more attractive proposition. We… found no use for it, and immediately hastened to turn it into something useful. Like willing Rick Astley to life at the tap of a button.

Whatever our quarrels with Logi’s obvious attempt to exploit AI’s declining popularity before it’s properly dead and buried, we can’t say the same for the Logi Options+ app. It’s an essential bit of kit if you want the most out of your mouse/keyboard, alter keybinds, or up the DPI at will.

Possibly the best feature, and the only argument we’d make to keep the K950 and M750 together as a pair, is their ability to hot-swap from device to device, regardless of their OS. Users can save up to three profiles, which can be instantly switched by hitting one of three buttons up top of the K950 or flicking between LEDs on the M750’s underbelly.

Logitech Signature Slim MK950 Combo verdict

Does all that amount to a combo worth R3,000? Unfortunately, no. It’s not that the M750 isn’t a fine piece of Logitech history if somewhat marred by the AI-spouting nonsense on the tin. If the combo is all you can do to get your hands on the exceptional K950, however, it might be worth putting up with the M750’s presence.

Now, if we’re talking about splitting the pair up, and opting for something cheaper out of Logi’s catalogue to pair up with the K950? That’s a plan we can get behind if only to get the exceptional K950 under your fingers a little quicker. It’s backed by 3 years of battery life, superb typing and an unfortunate lack of decorum.