The keyboard has full-sized keys measuring 14mm square with a good 5mm between adjacent keys so you shouldn't hit the wrong one by accident. The keys also have a good degree of travel - more than you'd find on most laptop keyboards - making for comfortable typing.

The extra space also means there's room for a numeric keyboard and dedicated keys for things like 'Home' and 'End'. Logitech has also included additional keys for handy items such as volume control and calculator.

Using the Alto does make a difference if you're working at a laptop for a prolonged period of time. The raised screen height means you're not slouched forward as much as you normally would be, and we found that the keyboard is much more comfortable to type on than a standard laptop offering.

One slight problem, however, is that the Shift key needs to be pressed quite firmly to register otherwise you don't end up with capitals. It's not a major fault, though, and it doesn't take that long to get used to.

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At £70 - $100 in the US, €100 on the Continent - the Alto is a little on the pricey side, but then you are getting a keyboard and stand in one single unit so it's only slightly more than the combined cost of both. It's also a very neat design as you can fold it up and tuck it away at the end of the day.

Verdict

If a laptop is your main workhorse then the Alto will make working on it a more pleasant experience. Logitech's stand allows you to position the screen more naturally and the full-size keyboard is much more comfortable to type on for long periods of time. Yes, it's expensive, but what price a better posture and a more comfortable working environment?

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