Apple Makes Magic Keyboard With Touch ID Available for Separate Purchase

[vbctv]

I totally understand M1 and Macs with no ASi of any kind. But I was hoping the T2 (and T1) would end up with support for it. I’ve got the 16” MBP, 27” LG UltraFine, and use mostly in clamshell mode at my desk with Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad.

I was really hoping they wouldn’t leave 16”
MBP users (and all T1 and T2 users) out, since we have the best they can offer at the moment, which isn’t ASi currently.

I do understand the clean line in the sand though. ASi support only. I was just hoping to be the only gray area that ended up benefitting.

I'm sure Apple could've of they wanted to support the T2 chip. Not sure about T1 since it doesn't have something, I can't remember what it is that the T2 has. But at the end of the day, Apple is in a two-year transition to get rid of Intel. We're almost 1 year in already. I don't see a lot of support hardware or software after those 2 years. Maybe 1 good year after.

 

[Puonti]

True, but you can do some biometrics through your phone. If I do ApplePay on my Mac, it asks me to verify with FaceID on my iPhone 12 Pro.

This is very true. The person I was replying to was asking about third-party options, though, so I stuck to that.

 

[Böhme417]

And then another $200 spent replacing disposable batteries over the life of the keyboard.

...or $10 on some rechargeable batteries

 

[decisions]

Apple’s Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse need massive redesigns. They are so outdated and horrible for ergonomics.

Apple should make keyboard and mice that feel amazing to use, right now they feel like an afterthought.

 

[nathansz]

I had to look up the price of the original Apple Extended Keyboard ADB from the 90's.... $163.

Apple Extended Keyboard - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

sure but you could actually type on that one!

 

[seek3r]

$179 for a decent keyboard is actually not crazy expensive FWIW, I do wish Apple would release a standalone touchid module since I prefer mechanical keyboards, but the price isn't *that* really off from other higher end keyboards. People always cheap out on their keyboards, which weirds me out, it's literally the most important part of the machine to me (and why I waited so long to upgrade my 2012 MBA with my 2020 one for example as far as laptops go). If you type a lot it's the one component you shouldn't cheap out on

 

[nathansz]

i’ve never understood how people type on these ergonomic nightmares. your better off with a $20 a best buy store brand keyboard. and if you want to spend this kind of money you can get something really nice!

 

[JaylenFast]

As someone who is still using the AA Battery magic keyboard. This is an upgrade I have am happy to support. With many log-ins a day and rather long passwords, I will do anything to speed up the process.

 

[Future Dwight]

TouchID would be nice but Logitech MX Keys FTW! Wireless, backlit, USB-C charge and pairs to 3 devices via BT or Unifying receiver.

Logitech MX Keys Wireless Keyboard with Backlit Keys

Shop MX Keys. Designed for creatives & engineered for coders. Features easy switch pairing with 3 devices. Compatible with Win, Mac, Linux, iOS & Android OS

www.logitech.com

Logitech MX Keys for Mac - Wireless Illuminated Keyboard

Shop MX Keys for Mac. Features smart illumination backlit keys, multi device easy-switch, USB-C charging, Apple space gray finish & designed for Mac systems

www.logitech.com

Only problem with Logitech MX Keys there’s only English version of it. Apple always make different languages of their keyboards. But the price is unsurprisingly high. The sad part it’s for Apple Silicon only. When they transitioned from 68K to PowerPC and, after that, from PowerPC to Intel, Apple didn’t drop support for the old hardware that fast. Am I wrong?

 

[johncarync]

I'm seeing a lot of complaints about no backlighting. Are there really that many people using their computer in pitch blackness that don't know how to type?

 

[avkills]

Not wading through all the posts; but what the **** Apple; your newest keyboard will not work with your "flagship' Pro machine? Figures.

 

[jdb8167]

As someone who is still using the AA Battery magic keyboard. This is an upgrade I have am happy to support. With many log-ins a day and rather long passwords, I will do anything to speed up the process.

Same here. It was an insta-buy for me. Arrives Thursday. Biggest issue for me isn’t price but that I’d rather have the smaller keyboard but not with the terrible cursor keys layout.

i’ve never understood how people type on these ergonomic nightmares. your better off with a $20 a best buy store brand keyboard. and if you want to spend this kind of money you can get something really nice!

I type faster on my magic keyboard than any other keyboard I’ve ever tried. Not sure why you think the ergonomics are bad but to each his own.

 

[ek9max]

I see the new Magic Trackpad matches the new magic keyboard.

Is there any difference in the Magic Mouse? I'm more wondering if it had newer better bluetooth. Aesthetically it looks identical to the. Magic Mouse 2.

 

[joecomo]

now if I could please get the M1X MacBookPro to accompany this ... (64GB RAM please, if you don't mind)

 

[joecomo]

I see the new Magic Trackpad matches the new magic keyboard.

Is there any difference in the Magic Mouse? I'm more wondering if it had newer better bluetooth. Aesthetically it looks identical to the. Magic Mouse 2.

... I switched to vertical and won't come back.

I actually do not know whether a vertical mouse really helps - but what it does is: It makes your arm hurt after 5 minutes of using a conventional mouse

 

[Maconplasma]

Funny how people are complaining about the only available color of the new MKB but they are perfectly fine with the ugly black Logitech. The irony.

 

[nvmls]

Backlit coming in 2032 for just $649.

 

[turbineseaplane]

This company has turned into an extortion operation

 

[ProfessionalFan]

Funny how people are complaining about the only available color of the new MKB but they are perfectly fine with the ugly black Logitech. The irony.

Weird, I must have some special custom made MX Keys keyboard because mine isn't black or ugly.

 

[deeddawg]

The $129 version of the numeric keyboard makes zero sense now since it doesn't even share the same design. It just looks weird looking at next to the new ones. Don't understand why they didn't discontinue that one.

Many comments here suggest that not everyone needs/wants a TouchID key, and wouldn't want to spend the extra $50 for the higher one. So in that aspect it's nice they've not discontinued it.

Be interesting to see if they do a redesign at some point, though apart from rounded corners I'm not sure they're a substantive difference.

 

[deeddawg]

Weird, I must have some special custom made MX Keys keyboard because mine isn't black or ugly.

Apparently you do.

Logitech website seems to only show black...

Dunno about ugly or not, haven't looked at it closely.

Buy MX Keys S Keyboard - Full-Size | Logitech

Shop MX Keys S Keyboard. Features backlighting, custom shortcut keys, spherically-dished keys, smarter Fn keys, emoji key, multi-device, smart actions, and more

www.logitech.com

 

[BlueMoose]

so I can just buy this new keyboard with TouchID and use it with my Mac Mini M1?

will it allow multiple fingerprints(from 2 or 3 different people in the family) to log into the same account?

thanks!

 

[murdoc2k]

I noticed in the marketing material that Apple does not list iPad as one of the compatible devices for keyboards with touch Id, does this mean this keyboard only works with Apple Silicon macs? 🤔

 

[usagora]

Finally! But wow, 30 more dollars for touch Id? 😦

Are you making a joke? That seems pretty darn cheap for the addition of such a great option that you'll use constantly!

 

[murdoc2k]

so I can just buy this new keyboard with TouchID and use it with my Mac Mini M1?

will it allow multiple fingerprints(from 2 or 3 different people in the family) to log into the same account?

thanks!

The touch Id on the keyboard enables all functionalities of the existing Touch Id that current macs provide. So it should work the same way.

I would not recommend sharing accounts as this could lead to a lack of separation. It would be best to create different accounts for family members but have Touch Id configured for each account so your family member can log into their own accounts using touch Id.