Logitech G213 RGB Prodigy Gaming Keyboard ReviewReview and tips for the Logitech G213 RGB Prodigy Gaming Keyboard and G-Hub from an owner, gamer and long time Logitech fan.
I've had the Logitech G213 RGB Prodigy Gaming Keyboard for about six months to give this an honest real-world review.
The Logitech G213 RGB Prodigy Gaming Keyboard is slim, durable, precise and spill-resistant. The G213 Prodigy is designed for the way you play. With performance-tuned keys, the G213 Prodigy combines a tactile feel and gaming-grade performance. Keys on the G213 Prodigy are tuned to deliver ultra-quick and responsive feedback up to 4 times faster than the keys on standard keyboards. At the same time, the anti-ghosting gaming matrix keeps you in control even when multiple keys are pressed simultaneously.
So that's the marketing blurb. Now for the review.
This is quite a solid, full-size keyboard, but I wouldn't describe it as slim. It does take up some desk space. It's durable to a point (more on that later) and precise - you know exactly where the keys are by feel, and rarely do I mistype due to quick inputs. Haven't tried the spill resistance yet, and fingers crossed, I won't for some time yet.
Key action has a positive feel but isn't noisy like a mechanical keyboard. It's really good to type on and also very good for gaming with the keys large enough not to accidentally press neighbour keys, a problem I have with laptops and smaller keyboards.
The keyboard also features a limited number of special keys, far fewer than some other keyboards from Logitech, even budget models. A gaming mode key lets you turn off certain keys whilst gaming (you can use this feature anytime). It is useful as it prevents accidentally pressing a key while doing something else. For example, you can turn off the Windows key, which, during gaming, if pressed accidentally, will return you to the desktop and open the start menu. A lighting button allows you to turn the lighting on and off and change the lighting effect and colours (see below for this undocumented feature). Then there are the standard media controls - mute, volume up and down, play/pause, stop, forward and back.
The Logitech G213 Prodigy has five lighting zones, which can be configured independently via the G-Hub. Each zone can be given a custom colour, or the colours can cycle in waves. I don't know why they limit the G213 to just five zones, not per key. Watching the wave patterns and lighting can be controlled per key - it's not like the electronics are limiting this. Probably just a business decision to make you pay extra for the "pro" models that have fully independent key lighting configurations but use the same board. Using a sample area, you can also set the keys to light up according to a colour displayed on the screen.
RGB Light Customisation without Logitech G-Hub Suite
Suppose you don't want to install extra software like me to slow your computer down. In that case, there is an undocumented way to customise the RGB lighting. This also works if you use the keyboard with a console (apparently, the G213 does not have on-board memory so that you won't remember your PC settings).
Hold the lighting button to change the lighting modes and colours without Logitech software, then press a number. For example:
- Lighting + 0: Solid colour
- Lighting + 1: Wave pattern - left to right cycling all colours
- Lighting + 2: Wave pattern - right to left cycling all colours
- Lighting + 3: Wave pattern - centre outwards towards edges
- Lighting + 4: Breath with one colour - press again to change colour
- Lighting + 5: Cycle through all colours
Pressing the lighting button and number multiple times cycles through different colours.
Problems with the Logitech G213 RGB Prodigy Gaming Keyboard
Over the past six months or so, the keyboard has been very good; I like typing and gaming on it; however, there is one serious problem with it, one that has been reported many times online, and that is that occasionally, some of the keys don't work. This started after about two months of usage, mainly noticeable whilst gaming - the W, E, and D keys failed to respond to a key press. Press it again, and it works. At first, I thought I wasn't pressing the key hard enough, but after trial, I determined that 1/10 key presses did not work. Most keys are fine, so I don't know if it's a problem with the membrane on this side of the keyboard or if it becomes damaged when used.
When I contacted Logitech about the issue, I had to record a video of the problem and provide all the details. They then issued an RMA, and I returned the keyboard and received a replacement (reconditioned by the looks of it). After a few months, this one also started to suffer the same problem, and since I've had a warranty return already, they won't fix it. When I contacted Amazon about the issue, they immediately offered a refund or replacement. This time, I went for the refund, and I've returned to my trusty old UltraX Performance keyboard until I can find a good deal on a Corsair K70 or K100.
After receiving a full refund, I opted for the Corsair K68 Mechanical keyboard.
Fixing Keys Not Working on Logitech G213 Prodigy
If your keyboard is still under warranty, create a case with Logitech at https://support.logi.com/, and they will walk you through the warranty process. Do NOT attempt to fix the problem yourself, as you will void your warranty.
I don't know if this is a software or hardware problem with the membrane. I have experienced the issue on a laptop with the G-Hub installed and a clean laptop with no drivers installed. That makes me think it's hardware. However, the fact that it is so intermittent makes me think it is software-related. I can go a few days without noticing the problem, or it can affect almost every other keystroke. Also, after a G-Hub software update, the problem worsened, making me think it was software-related.
If your keyboard is no longer covered by warranty, you can take it apart and inspect the membrane layers for dirt or damage. The Logitech G213 Prodigy is a membrane keyboard, not mechanical, so it should be fairly easy. I've yet to do this, so you should have a look on YouTube or Google for a tutorial. When I find that Amazon won't replace it or the warranty expires, I'll do a dismantle and clean/repair tutorial.
Have you got a Logitech G213 Prodigy Gaming Keyboard and suffered from keys not working? What did you do to fix it? Did you also get a reconditioned replacement? Let us know in the comments below!
