Question Logitech Transceiver and USB 3.0

[LGLDSR73]

Bear with me please.

I was a Network Administrator for 43 years: Lockheed, Raytheon and Qualcomm. I have deployed hundreds of Servers from the box to the Racks. I have a Grandson starting college in a few weeks, so I purchased him a Lenovo Laptop Workstation. These were used by the 200 Engineers for which I was sole support for at Qualcomm who were finalizing and fine-tuning development of 5G, albeit the Server Infrastructure was HP, There's a point to this.

In setting up this Thinkpad I have never run into such petty and stupid issues that are really testing my patience.

I purchased him a Logitech MK540 Keyboard and Mouse. Simple enough to setup: plug the Transceiver into the USB port, load the software and done. NOT. Logitech in their wisdom apparently never realized that the USB 3.0 port and the 2.4GHz of the Transceiver collide. Symptoms include though not limited to jerky mouse movements, freezing cursor, up to complete disconnection of the Mouse. It's impact on the Keyboard, or so I have read, are buffered keystrokes. Again, some have this problem and some do not.

From reading on the Internet, the fix is a USB 2.0 cable to put distance from the Transceiver and the 3.0 Port. Transceiver in one end, the other into the USB 3.0 port. Some people have had no problem without the cable, others have. Several have mentioned that Logitech will send the cable for free.

Has anyone here experienced these issues with the Logitech Mouse and/or Keyboard with the Transceiver in a USB3.0 Port?

Many thanks,

Lyman

 

[Lutfij]

What is the model and SKU to your Lenovo laptop?

When you say some people, are we talking about them owning the same exact laptop as you're working with? I ask this since internals for different brands and SKU's of laptops will vary layout wise. The issue could very well be the dongle's proximity to the networking adapter or the dongle being sub par in manufacturing quality. You can test out the former by disabling or removing the wireless networking adapter from the laptop and seeing if the issue persists.

Has anyone here experienced these issues with the Logitech Mouse and/or Keyboard with the Transceiver in a USB3.0 Port?
I've experienced this on Logitech devices, to the point I stopped using them entirely. I gave up on them since 2015.

Moved thread from Components section to Computer Peripherals section.

 

[Ralston18]

Will add the suggestion to just try any USB extension cables that happen to be available. Adds distance at least....

= = = =

I have one desktop using a Logitech dongle in a rear USB 2.0 port and a second desktop using a Logitech dongle in a front USB 3.0 port.

Both systems are using the Logitech K540 keyboard and M310 Mouse combo sets. No port related problems noted.

I have had more problems with the Logitech drivers and their other software that get bundled in. I avoid installing anything that is not absolutely necessary there.

[ Especially so for anything "web-based" and that holds for all hardware and software.]

As a side issue the keyboard's lettering wears off very fast. I got one keyboard replaced via a discount when I raised the problem with Logitech. Had to send photos first and found a credit card reference to prove purchase.

Once the present keyboards and/or mice become problematic it is unlikely that I will be buying Logitech again.

 

[LGLDSR73]

Will add the suggestion to just try any USB extension cables that happen to be available. Adds distance at least....

= = = =

I have one desktop using a Logitech dongle in a rear USB 2.0 port and a second desktop using a Logitech dongle in a front USB 3.0 port.

Both systems are using the Logitech K540 keyboard and M310 Mouse combo sets. No port related problems noted.

I have had more problems with the Logitech drivers and their other software that get bundled in. I avoid installing anything that is not absolutely necessary there.

[ Especially so for anything "web-based" and that holds for all hardware and software.]

As a side issue the keyboard's lettering wears off very fast. I got one keyboard replaced via a discount when I raised the problem with Logitech. Had to send photos first and found a credit card reference to prove purchase.

Once the present keyboards and/or mice become problematic it is unlikely that I will be buying Logitech again.

"I avoid installing anything that is not absolutely necessary there." SMART. Many thanks, Lyman

 

[LGLDSR73]

What is the model and SKU to your Lenovo laptop?

When you say some people, are we talking about them owning the same exact laptop as you're working with? I ask this since internals for different brands and SKU's of laptops will vary layout wise. The issue could very well be the dongle's proximity to the networking adapter or the dongle being sub par in manufacturing quality. You can test out the former by disabling or removing the wireless networking adapter from the laptop and seeing if the issue persists.

Has anyone here experienced these issues with the Logitech Mouse and/or Keyboard with the Transceiver in a USB3.0 Port?
I've experienced this on Logitech devices, to the point I stopped using them entirely. I gave up on them since 2015.

Moved thread from Components section to Computer Peripherals section.

 

[LGLDSR73]

Many thanks. The system is a ThinkPad P1 Gen 6 Intel (16″) Mobile Workstation. Of the complaints I've read I do not recall anyone mentioning any given brand, model number or SKU.

From Logitech, referring to the MK270 but stating the overall problem: They assume you will have both USB 2.0 and 3.0 resident on your system.

And from the Web: "Logitech wireless devices, particularly those using the Unifying Receiver, can experience issues when connected to USB 3.0 ports due to potential radio frequency interference. This interference can cause lag, erratic behavior, or even make the device appear inoperable. Moving the receiver to a USB 2.0 port, using a USB extender, or ensuring proper device pairing can help mitigate these problems."

"You can test out the former by disabling or removing the wireless networking adapter from the laptop and seeing if the issue persists."

You are correct, I could. Disabling it, sure. Removing it, no. I had 43 years of Break-Fix and those days are done and over with. I'll send it back to Amazon and go with another brand.

Thanks for your input!

Best,
Lyman


"

 

[Paperdoc]

As you will know, you could use a USB2 port for this, but the laptop may not have any. And any USB2 or USB3 cable will do. I will note that, on an older system of wireless keyboard and mouse on a desktop system using two separate USB dongles we had to arrange that both were routed to the front of the case (one in a case-front socket, one by extension cable from a rear socket) because apparently the desktop unit's case shielded the radio signals.

 

[LGLDSR73]

As you will know, you could use a USB2 port for this, but the laptop may not have any. And any USB2 or USB3 cable will do. I will note that, on an older system of wireless keyboard and mouse on a desktop system using two separate USB dongles we had to arrange that both were routed to the front of the case (one in a case-front socket, one by extension cable from a rear socket) because apparently the desktop unit's case shielded the radio signals.

Thanks, Paperdoc. Logitech has been around for 41 years, and I've used their products for decades. How this fell off their Radar is beyond me. The keyboard and mouse combination I purchased is for my Grandson who is starting college in August, majoring in Engineering. The last thing he needs to happen is to be in the middle of a CAD design or taking notes and the cursor is flying around the screen or disconnects entirely from the system. Not worth the risk.

If it were MickeySoft I'd say they pushed the product out as Beta, told no one and saved a fortune letting the End User tell them about the problems. 43 years as a Network Administrator for three Fortune-500 Corporations I've seen it in spades, as far back as and especially with Server 2000. It was easier to flap your arms and fly around the room than setup DNS.

Logitech tech support suggested a 2' - 3' cable but not shorter than 2'. 🤣

It's going to be a wired mouse and keyboard.

Thanks!

Lyman

 

[Paperdoc]

Wired mouse and keyboard. GOOD solution for reliability although it means two cables. I assume there is a reason for NOT using the laptop's keyboard and (touch pad?) sometimes. An aside. IF there is a shortage of USB ports, some simple USB HUB can connect those two to one port. Each of them uses very little power, so a Hub that does NOT have its own power "brick" and relies solely on power from the original port is sufficient. A standard USB2 port can supply power at 5 VDC up to 0.5 A; for USB3 that is up to 0.9 A. Even the USB2 power limit is sufficient for keyboard and mouse.

 

[LGLDSR73]

Wired mouse and keyboard. GOOD solution for reliability although it means two cables. I assume there is a reason for NOT using the laptop's keyboard and (touch pad?) sometimes. An aside. IF there is a shortage of USB ports, some simple USB HUB can connect those two to one port. Each of them uses very little power, so a Hub that does NOT have its own power "brick" and relies solely on power from the original port is sufficient. A standard USB2 port can supply power at 5 VDC up to 0.5 A; for USB3 that is up to 0.9 A. Even the USB2 power limit is sufficient for keyboard and mouse.

Wow, my sincerest apologies for overlooking this! Thanks for your input!
When all was said and done I bought him a wired mouse, a non-powered Hub and a powered Hub should he have to connect an external drive. He does not want a keyboard, just a mouse; doing CAD he can't use the systems built in Trackpoint as it won't have the accuracy of cursor placement as a mouse will.

What has been challenging is finding a drive that accepts Type C (there are several ports for it on the Lenovo ThinkPad). There is one USB-C 3.0, and two USB-C 3.0 Thunderbolt4. Drives just don't seems to be readily available; any input on that would be greatly appreciaed1

All the Best,
Lyman

 

[Paperdoc]

First of all , if you are choosing an external hard drive to connect to the laptop's USB3 ports WITHOUT needing a power supply of its own, ensure that it is one specifically said to work that way. Most such devices are called "Laptop Hard Drive", and they do this by using a drive unit with slightly reduced performance and not HUGE capacity, so the motors for disk and heads CAN work properly on the power available from one USB3 port. (That is, 5 VDC at up up 0.90 A,) Such units normally have NO added power supply module and not even a jack for connecting one. Just be aware that that drive WILL use ALL the power capacity of that port so no other device can be on that port. Also be a little wary of even powered USB3 Hubs that have their own power supply module. None of them can supply that per-port max power for ALL ports simultaneously, but that is NOT a problem. However, SOME specify that each port can supply up to 0.5 A (the older limit for USB2), and NOT the full .09 A required for USB3.

IF you were to buy an External Hard Drive that is NOT claimed to be used with a laptop and connection by USB3 ONLY - typically one that can be used with a desktop computer and HAS its own power supply module - that still CAN be used with the laptop. For data transfer purposes it WILL be connected to the laptop via aUSB3 cable. But you WILL need also to connect its power supply unit - it cannot get enough power from the USB3 port alone.

If I understand correctly, the issue you cite is that all such Laptop Hard Drives you find have a cable with a more common Type A connector on its end, and the laptop does not have that on its USB3 ports. You have two options, then. IF the drive comes with a detachable cable that ends with a USB3 Type Connector at the drive end, then you can simply buy as new cable with Type C Connectors on BOTH ends. Or, if the drive has a permanently-attached cable, buy an adapter that converts the laptop's Type C port into a USB3 Type A socket. An example

https://www.amazon.com/Adapter-Anker-High-Speed-Transfer-Notebook/dp/B08HZ6PS61/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2S6YSFPPC6AHS&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.L-XsA7L5VaV3bMI36_NZIg6jvSHhZxfVCDff9a4LUfMIBYlKS8SkrX1k5qrb3BucTD_uu9aoUJXGDy_IA3to2B1Cayfqt0oXkeA9_xT7V1eqvkYj0Vo3BrQX8zaVR8VAwppga262JMWzZki1LSyzs74a7zNnNDVX2js77DAz9VTui-CmKJOs_xJzKRmNYntXby2qBlW7z8xq3lxhwMFTbxUaFbHWO_Y3-_Xn74ViPuw.UHm4NbHRDmM16-HmKDRtuipqCa8xqOGYcY0_1RCcc3o&dib_tag=se&keywords=adapter+usb+c+to+usb+a&qid=1755283584&sprefix=adapter+USB+c+to+USB+A,aps,200&sr=8-3

Whichever way you do this, the Laptop Hard Drive cannot use the faster data rate of a Thunderbolt 4 port, nor can the keyboard. But the drive WILL work on the Thunderbolt 4 port - just not at its very faster speeds. No problem. ONLY issue would be if you used that port adapter to convert the Thunderbolt 4 port into a Type A port and then try to make connections to a much faster device. Converting that port into one connected via a Type A cable would limit it to the basic speed of USB3.2 Gen 1, which is max 5 Gb/s. For what you plan above, you do not intend to use this way, so again no problem.

 

[LGLDSR73]

First of all , if you are choosing an external hard drive to connect to the laptop's USB3 ports WITHOUT needing a power supply of its own, ensure that it is one specifically said to work that way. Most such devices are called "Laptop Hard Drive", and they do this by using a drive unit with slightly reduced performance and not HUGE capacity, so the motors for disk and heads CAN work properly on the power available from one USB3 port. (That is, 5 VDC at up up 0.90 A,) Such units normally have NO added power supply module and not even a jack for connecting one. Just be aware that that drive WILL use ALL the power capacity of that port so no other device can be on that port. Also be a little wary of even powered USB3 Hubs that have their own power supply module. None of them can supply that per-port max power for ALL ports simultaneously, but that is NOT a problem. However, SOME specify that each port can supply up to 0.5 A (the older limit for USB2), and NOT the full .09 A required for USB3.

IF you were to buy an External Hard Drive that is NOT claimed to be used with a laptop and connection by USB3 ONLY - typically one that can be used with a desktop computer and HAS its own power supply module - that still CAN be used with the laptop. For data transfer purposes it WILL be connected to the laptop via aUSB3 cable. But you WILL need also to connect its power supply unit - it cannot get enough power from the USB3 port alone.

If I understand correctly, the issue you cite is that all such Laptop Hard Drives you find have a cable with a more common Type A connector on its end, and the laptop does not have that on its USB3 ports. You have two options, then. IF the drive comes with a detachable cable that ends with a USB3 Type Connector at the drive end, then you can simply buy as new cable with Type C Connectors on BOTH ends. Or, if the drive has a permanently-attached cable, buy an adapter that converts the laptop's Type C port into a USB3 Type A socket. An example

https://www.amazon.com/Adapter-Anker-High-Speed-Transfer-Notebook/dp/B08HZ6PS61/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2S6YSFPPC6AHS&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.L-XsA7L5VaV3bMI36_NZIg6jvSHhZxfVCDff9a4LUfMIBYlKS8SkrX1k5qrb3BucTD_uu9aoUJXGDy_IA3to2B1Cayfqt0oXkeA9_xT7V1eqvkYj0Vo3BrQX8zaVR8VAwppga262JMWzZki1LSyzs74a7zNnNDVX2js77DAz9VTui-CmKJOs_xJzKRmNYntXby2qBlW7z8xq3lxhwMFTbxUaFbHWO_Y3-_Xn74ViPuw.UHm4NbHRDmM16-HmKDRtuipqCa8xqOGYcY0_1RCcc3o&dib_tag=se&keywords=adapter+usb+c+to+usb+a&qid=1755283584&sprefix=adapter+USB+c+to+USB+A,aps,200&sr=8-3

Whichever way you do this, the Laptop Hard Drive cannot use the faster data rate of a Thunderbolt 4 port, nor can the keyboard. But the drive WILL work on the Thunderbolt 4 port - just not at its very faster speeds. No problem. ONLY issue would be if you used that port adapter to convert the Thunderbolt 4 port into a Type A port and then try to make connections to a much faster device. Converting that port into one connected via a Type A cable would limit it to the basic speed of USB3.2 Gen 1, which is max 5 Gb/s. For what you plan above, you do not intend to use this way, so again no problem.

At the onset, you raise some outstanding points, thank you. Going to have to research this very carefully. Thank you for including the URL to the adapter. Outstanding input, many, many thanks!

Best,
Lyman