#External keyboard for macbook pro for mac
#External keyboard for macbook pro full
#External keyboard for macbook pro mac
#External keyboard for macbook pro windows

The Craft is Logitech’s wireless keyboard designed for creatives across Windows and Mac, and it’s incredible. Even so, the thin keyboard panel means that the keys still feel a bit lifeless, so business users and budding novelists may prefer to look at one of the larger and more solidly built keyboards available from other manufacturers. There’s more room to provide a larger Space bar too, and larger navigation keys. There are new Function commands too, for activating Spotlight, Dictation and Do Not Disturb.Īs always, the larger version of the keyboard is even more expensive but the numeric keypad will be useful for people who do a lot of number crunching at work. There are a few other new features as well, including an Emoji command on the Fn key in the bottom-left corner of the keyboard, which displays the Emoji viewer panel so that you can quickly add emojis to any document or message that you’re typing. This allows you to store up to three fingerprints, which you can use to unlock your Mac, or to make secure payments on the Apple Store, or other online stores that support Apple Pay. This works just like the Touch ID sensors on the iPhone and iPad, and – on Macs with Apple Silicon – you’ll see a new Touch ID panel appear in System Preferences when you first connect the keyboard. The key feature of these new keyboards, though, is the Touch ID sensor, which sits by the F12 button on the top row of Function keys. Apple also introduced new versions of the Touch ID keyboard with black keys in early 2022. Then again, you might feel that your fingers have to do less ‘work’ compressing the key. The lack of ‘travel’ – the up and down movement of the keys as you press them – also makes the keyboard feel a bit lifeless for people who type a lot and need a bit more tactile feedback when they’re typing up a storm. And, like the standard Magic Keyboard, it feels rather cramped, with a small Space bar and cursor keys. The smaller Magic Keyboard With Touch ID is priced at quite a premium for the Touch ID sensor.

The basic design of the two keyboards hasn’t actually changed that much, with the same slimline design and month-long battery life as their predecessors. You can use these new keyboards with older Macs that have Intel processors, but you’ll really only be able to use them as basic QWERTY keyboards for typing, as most of the new features – including the Touch ID sensor that sits in the top row of Function keys – won’t work on Intel Macs.

#External keyboard for macbook pro mac

That’s a bit of a mouthful, but Apple is making it abundantly clear that the new keyboards are specifically designed for the latest Mac models that have Apple’s home-grown M1 processors.

#External keyboard for macbook pro for mac

For starters, these new models are officially referred to by Apple as (1) the Magic Keyboard With Touch ID For Mac Models With Apple Silicon, and (2) the Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad for Mac Models with Apple Silicon. However, these newer models bring a number of new features that aren’t available on the older Magic keyboards. There’s also a larger version, simply called the MX Keys, which has a separate numeric keypad as well – and this has recently been on sale at the same price as the MX Keys Mini, although it’s not clear if that price cut will turn out to be permanent.Īt first glance, the two Magic Keyboard models launched by Apple in mid-2021 look very similar to the original models – which are still available and reviewed here as well. Logitech’s Options app also allows you to program the Function keys to perform different tasks, such as opening Mail or Safari. The top row of Function keys works automatically with the Mac, allowing you to adjust the backlight, volume and other controls.

#External keyboard for macbook pro full

However, turning the backlight off extends that time to a full five months – far longer than the single month provided by Apple’s Magic Keyboard. The backlight does drain the keyboard’s rechargeable battery, lasting only 10 days if you have the backlight on full brightness the whole time. The keyboard has a backlight too, with a sensor that automatically activates the backlight as your hands approach the keyboard, and then turn it off after a few seconds when you move away. Available in a variety of colours, it’s heavier and sturdier than the Magic Keyboard, with firmer keys that feel more responsive when typing. The basic design of the MX Keys Mini is impressive. And, to be honest, Logitech’s years of experience with mice and keyboards really give it the edge. The latest model in the range is the new MX Keys Mini and has a compact, low-profile design that clearly pitches it as an alternative to Apple’s own Magic Keyboard. Logitech’s Craft and Ergo K860 keyboards are both designed for specific types of users, but if you’re just looking for a good general-purpose keyboard then its MX Keys range is hard to beat.