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Anyone using different keyboard than the magic keyboard?
- Thread starter chmania
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The Logitech K380 is one of the most popular Bluetooth keyboards because it is one of the cheapest name-brand Bluetooth keyboards in the market.
One of its strengths is the use of removable AAA batteries - the succeeding Logitech Pebble Keys 2 K380S (stupid name) claims to run 50% longer. Many other Bluetooth keyboards on the market have non-removable batteries, which isn't great when they finally die.
Logitech launched a new app called Options+ to customize the keyboard. You can use it to customize your keyboard and mouse buttons, etc. and it also displays your battery level and firmware version. You can use the application without logging in. I recommend not installing it unless you need its extra functions.
They've also added a dodgy-looking function called AI Prompt Builder (accessing ChatGPT), which seems sketchy and redundant as well as a function called Smart Actions that loads pre-built templates for your peripherals.
One of its strengths is the use of removable AAA batteries - the succeeding Logitech Pebble Keys 2 K380S (stupid name) claims to run 50% longer. Many other Bluetooth keyboards on the market have non-removable batteries, which isn't great when they finally die.
Logitech launched a new app called Options+ to customize the keyboard. You can use it to customize your keyboard and mouse buttons, etc. and it also displays your battery level and firmware version. You can use the application without logging in. I recommend not installing it unless you need its extra functions.
They've also added a dodgy-looking function called AI Prompt Builder (accessing ChatGPT), which seems sketchy and redundant as well as a function called Smart Actions that loads pre-built templates for your peripherals.
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I'm using the ThinkPad Trackpoint Keyboard II, so much so that I have two of these. I love the typing feel. Yes, I also use the pointer from time to time while I use the Trackpoint buttons even more to assist with clicks while I maneuver an Anywhere MX 3S mouse.
I have never used keyboards other than Apple's, but just recently I decided to give a try to a Keychron V6 Max mechanical keyboard, and am impressed. I turned the backlights off because I don't need them, and find this keyboard quite a lot more useful than all the Apple magic keyboards I have been using with 3 Macs. And I have also purchased a Magic Trackpad that I like so far as I get used to it.
I just realized the I made some errors above that I need to correct.
I just realized the I made some errors above that I need to correct.
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I use a Logitech Pebble Keyboard for my M4 mini. Happy with it.
I also use this keyboard (on my Studio).
The one that came with my cMP 15 years ago.
Zero use for a wireless keyboard on a desktop….. 🤪
I have the wireless version of this, still ‘brand new’ in the box.
Bought it and stuck with my wired version instead….🥴
I use a ratty 10+ year old USB MS keyboard and mouse plugged into a Caldigit TB3 dock on my M1 mini.
Never needs recharge, never goes to sleep and cost zero dollars. 🙂
Never needs recharge, never goes to sleep and cost zero dollars. 🙂
I’m using a full size mechanical keyboard with backlighting. Forget the brand but it’s not wireless. I was hesitant to give up the Touch ID from the Apple keyboard but then I learned that my watch can unlock my iMac so I’m all set.
ETA - It's a Redragon K556
ETA - It's a Redragon K556
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I still* use Matias USB2.0 keyboards https://matias.ca/usb2keyboard/ both for my then first (2007) Mac Minis and now with my Intel 2018 and M1 ones. Found a review here: https://lowendmac.com/misc/06/0103.html
*) because each key shows all 3-4 possible characters you can use it for (in combination with shift, alt, and shift & alt); the USB2.0 port is a bonus - easy access for a USB stick or anything else that doesn't need UB3 speeds
*) because each key shows all 3-4 possible characters you can use it for (in combination with shift, alt, and shift & alt); the USB2.0 port is a bonus - easy access for a USB stick or anything else that doesn't need UB3 speeds
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I love the feel sound of those old school ALPS switches, but I had to move on because I have yet to find any current day tributes to the Apple Extended Keyboard II whose switches aren't glitchy as hell.
I've found that Halo MX True switches come pretty close to the feel of the silent tactile ALPS switches from the AEK II with a very strong tactile bump that comes early in the keystroke.
A Dygma Raise split keyboard customized with those has been my main external keyboard for the past 4+ years. I've probably purchased a dozen keyboards since that, but I keep going back to this one.
I'm using a dygma raise and a corsair k65 plus 'mac edition' with gateron goldenrod silver switches and some neat peanuts keycaps from thekapco.
I bought my mom an epomaker aula F75 because the legends on her pink logitech mx were too hard for her (and me!) to see. The switches the aula came with are awesome! But the keyboard deck is very flexy bouncy lol.
I bought my mom an epomaker aula F75 because the legends on her pink logitech mx were too hard for her (and me!) to see. The switches the aula came with are awesome! But the keyboard deck is very flexy bouncy lol.
Price and use of replaceable batteries (mine usually lasting around a year) definitely a boon. Combined with the equally efficient Logi M240 mouse here. None of this 'plug it in and charge it up' nonsense as required by Magic keyboard or mouse from Apple. And in case of the K380, you can sync it up to use on three different devices.
Options+ basically replaces the driver and control features for Logitech now, but is non-essential on a Mac, which should find the devices without issue.. It does offer the status of your Logitech devices, the ability to customize keyboard functions, set up onscreen warnings on low battery, and the Smart Actions (essentially 'Shortcuts' for many events) - both pre-built or of your own creation. The latter is not something I have tried and don't think I have a need for. But it's there.
As for AI Prompt Builder, you can choose to turn it on or off within Options+. Essentially just another shortcut - as noted, to ChatGPT. Dodgy? No. Is it essential? No. But then, is any AI essential? But for the rare times I might want to it, I have it set up to open it's window on the click of my mouse's scroll wheel. And you can add 'Recipes' - that is, what you are asking ChatGPT to do. In my case, I added 'Query'.
The only negative comments I have on my keyboard (in white) is that there is no backlight, and the keys lettering can be hard to read - I'm not a touch typist. The latter mitigated by the addition of a skin, which also keeps drinks, crumbs, dirt and dust at bay.
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If you are not going to share with us where you got it, what is the point in gloating like this? Twice, even.
I purchased it from a surplus product seller. I believe I mentioned that, though perhaps not the name of the online shopping platform, which isn’t necessary. It's made in China, of course, and has a German keyboard, so it was likely sold in Germany. However, my fingers are well-trained on the International keyboard and find their way without looking. It features three levels of backlighting and can connect to three different devices. The Bluetooth connection is incredibly reliable, only disconnecting when idle, and a single key press reconnects it instantly. It's the best keyboard I've come across in decades of use. I provided the number so you can look it up.
Googling it, I found this,
and, there are plenty more all over the place.
I guess you can use your iPhone and Apple's intelligence to locate things by analysing the image and identifying the product...
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I'm on my second A1048. I still have two more as spares. The first one lasted as an external keyboard for my PowerBook G4 through MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo, 2012 Unibody MBP 17", and a 2010 Mac Mini which finally got retired two years ago. Finally moved on to the second one with an M2Pro Mac Mini after the return key started to fail. Despite being a crumb-catcher/debris-magnet, the feel and shape of the keys just work better for me than either more recent or earlier keyboards. The only downside is the USB1.1 built-in hub, I wish was at least USB2 and had a higher power passthrough for other devices.
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Before I realized I could use my Apple Watch, I was reading about people that fasten their Apple Keyboard under their desk and use it only for the Touch ID. I also saw a video of a guy who dissected the touch sensor from his keyboard and put it in a 3D printed box so he could have an independent Touch ID sensor on his desk.
$149.00USD seems to be a reasonable price if this keyboard is as good as advertised. I was trying to figure out what type of USB port it has to connect to a Mac, and also if it it can be used wirelessly, but I could not find a table with its technical specifications. It is sold at Amazon (link below), and also noticed that there is another cheaper and black color Martías USB-C keyboard:
https://www.amazon.com/Matias-Tacti...prefix=matias+keyboard+for+mac,aps,227&sr=8-1
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Logi MX Keys was my only work keyboard, but I eventually accepted that I type like crap on that number pad, so moved to a $50 wired Keychron, which is a more sensible work keyboard choice for me.
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That's brilliant! If I ever find another keyboard I really want, I'll have to look into those options.
"One point that should help this board be an enduring presence on your desk is its detachable cable. My favorite keyboards for typing quality, inexplicably, have featured non-removable cables, but one of Matias’s tweaks to its Tactile Pro over the years was to give it a Micro USB port. They pack not one, but two, very long Micro USB to USB Type-A cables for it in the box and a USB Type-C adapter to help it out with modern Macs."
From: https://reviews.ofb.biz/safari/article/1271.html
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