Magic Keyboard vs. MX Keys / Magic Trackpad vs. MX Master 3/3S

[thomasparra]

I am currently using a MBP 2019, most of the time connected to a 27" monitor. I use the MBP keyboard to type and a random mouse on the side.

I am planning to get the AIR/MBP M2 and I would like to pair it with a nice keyboard and mouse/trackpad.The MacBook would have its lid closed 80% + of the time. Most of my time is spent surfing the internet, writing emails, some spreadsheet work so very productive focused.

I was thinking of going with the Magic Keyboard with TouchID and the Magic Trackpad, or alternatively the MX Master. What would you recommend? I do not own or plan to own a Windows PC for the time being.

 

[xraydoc]

Find a store that has a selection on display and try out some different ones. I bought the MX 3S mouse not too long ago, but after using it for a couple weeks, I'm thinking it's just a little too big to be comfortable. I really like the thumb wheel, but I think the Logitech M720 Triathlon fits better.

 

[jr5x]

I love the MX mice. I have a magic trackpad and put it away because I never use it. My MX mouse is just so (EDIT for more accuracy) easy fast and nice to use. It also has a bunch of buttons that you can program functions to, and they make my interactions a lot easier.

My wife has the MX keys keyboard and loves it. I think it's very good, but I got the MX mechanical with tactile keys. It's really expensive, and is not perfect -- the keys could be farther apart, it doesn't need to be so compact considering that I got the one with the numeric keypad -- but it's got an excellent feel.

If you get a Logitech keyboard and mouse, and you kept your laptop closed, I'm pretty sure you would have to type a password instead of using touch ID each time, unless you have an Apple watch.

Like @xraydoc said, the best thing you can do is to go to a store and try them out for yourself.

 

[thomasparra]

I love the MX mice. I have a magic trackpad and put it away because I never use it. My MX mouse is just so easy and nice to use. It also has a bunch of buttons that you can program functions to, and they make my interactions a lot easier.

My wife has the MX keys keyboard and loves it. I think it's very good, but I got the MX mechanical with tactile keys. It's really expensive, and is not perfect -- the keys could be farther apart, it doesn't need to be so compact considering that I got the one with the numeric keypad -- but it's got an excellent feel.

If you get a Logitech keyboard and mouse, and you kept your laptop closed, I'm pretty sure you would have to type a password instead of using touch ID each time, unless you have an Apple watch.

Like @xraydoc said, the best thing you can do is to go to a store and try them out for yourself.

Thanks - I tried both the Magic Keyboard and the Magic Keyboard and I feel like I like the Magic Keyboard better, but it's so dependent on how high I am standing and how far I am putting my arms away from the keyboard. They are just so many variables...

I am currently typing on the 2019 MBP keyboard which is butterfly and I like the short key travel. I also have a M1 Air which is a scissor keyboard and I feel like when laying down I like the butterfly best. If I am sitting I like the scissor one more.

I will try the MX Keys in the store again but I am still wondering if I should get the trackpad or the MX Magic 3 mouse. I am concerned about ergonomics/health and productivity more than customization/gestures that either product offer. For example sometimes I feel lazy to use the trackpad over the mouse and vice versa; depending on the task..

 

[xraydoc]

I will say, however, that if you're truly considering the MX Mechanical that you look into other mechanical keyboards. For similar prices or slightly more, you can find much better keyboards (both low profile and standard) that are far superior.

 

[thomasparra]

I will say, however, that if you're truly considering the MX Mechanical that you look into other mechanical keyboards. For similar prices or slightly more, you can find much better keyboards (both low profile and standard) that are far superior.

I am not crazy about mechanic keyboards (unless if I were a gamer). The fact that the productivity/office ones are hard to find and try out in stores makes it even more complicated. I think I will stick with either the MX Keys or Magic Keyboard and with either a MX mouse or a trackpad. Both Apple and Logitech options seem to be the ultimate ones in the productivity world today (e.g. all the info found on forums, in YouTube videos)

 

[xraydoc]

I am not crazy about mechanic keyboards (unless if I were a gamer). The fact that the productivity/office ones are hard to find and try out in stores makes it even more complicated. I think I will stick with either the MX Keys or Magic Keyboard and with either a MX mouse or a trackpad. Both Apple and Logitech options seem to be the ultimate ones in the productivity world today (e.g. all the info found on forums, in YouTube videos)

Fair statement about the paucity of good mechanical keyboards to try out in person. Other than Razer and Logitech, there's little at big box stores.

However, I'm definitely not a gamer and I find typing on a good mechanical keyboard to be so much more comfortable and accurate than on others. Not saying Apple's keyboards aren't good, but if you type a lot like I do, it's really a pleasure to use a high-quality mechanical keyboard. I use key switches, for example, that no gamer would ever use but that are great for a typist. And I suck at proper typing technique.

They can, however, get expensive. The one I'm typing on now (my personal Mac) has about $275 invested in it and about $220 for the keyboard on my work-from-home PC. But those are more enthusiast level customizations (and even on the low-end of potential pricing). Something like a Keychron K8 TKL backlit keyboard with solid aluminum frame, hot-swappable switches (for future customization) and 3-device bluetooth can be had for under $100 and I would consider that much superior to any Logitech keyboard in terms of typing feel and upgradability. Low profile options are available too if you prefer that style.

Anyway, just suggesting other options besides Logitech if you're looking at a mechanical keyboard.

 

[jr5x]

Anyway, just suggesting other options besides Logitech if you're looking at a mechanical keyboard.

Have you tried the Logitech mechanical with tactile keys? I'm coming from a Topre Realforce 104, and have had other good mechanicals. If you want a quiet keyboard, the feel is excellent. Keycaps could be improved as they attract finger oil.

 

[FelixTheShepherd]

I bought and tried the linear mx mech keyboard last week and I didn't like it AT ALL. For reference I have been using the magic keyboard for the past like 6 years. I find the mx
1. too high
2. flimsy
3. not as nice as the magic kb
So that went straight back.
I also sent the mx master 3s back. I own a mx master 3 already, so I couldn't justify paying like 100 for the 3s. But I do have to say that the 3s's clicks feel better than the 3. If you do design, photo or video I would def get the master 3s.

 

[xraydoc]

Have you tried the Logitech mechanical with tactile keys? I'm coming from a Topre Realforce 104, and have had other good mechanicals. If you want a quiet keyboard, the feel is excellent. Keycaps could be improved as they attract finger oil.

Yes. I actually have a full-sized one with their Romer tactile switches at the office in a drawer from about 3-4 years ago. It's just meh. Kinda mushy. Quiet I suppose but I'm not really after quiet (but not after super loud clicky Blue derivatives, either). I never really liked it and replaced it with a Keychron K2, Gateron Pro Brown switches and Cherry profile keycaps long ago.

They may have improved their switches since, however. But Logitech keyboards, save for one, don't have swappable switches and at least some (all?) have slightly irregular key layout & spacing so replacement keycaps don't always work for every key. I have a Logitech Pro X TKL keyboard that I used to use on my PC. Swappable switches which is nice and has per-key programmable backlighting -- not a swirly gamer RGB fan but different colors for certain keys like backspace, enter, alt, control, etc., is nice -- but the keycaps that came with it are terrible and the caps lock key and whole bottom row have non-standard spacing which frustrates replacement caps.

Sorry -- didn't mean to hijack this thread. I'll shut up now

 

[thomasparra]

I bought and tried the linear mx mech keyboard last week and I didn't like it AT ALL. For reference I have been using the magic keyboard for the past like 6 years. I find the mx
1. too high
2. flimsy
3. not as nice as the magic kb
So that went straight back.
I also sent the mx master 3s back. I own a mx master 3 already, so I couldn't justify paying like 100 for the 3s. But I do have to say that the 3s's clicks feel better than the 3. If you do design, photo or video I would def get the master 3s.

Did you try the MX Keys before? Why do you use the MX Master over Magic Trackpad? If you do not do design or photo/video editing

 

[jr5x]

...I am still wondering if I should get the trackpad or the MX Magic 3 mouse. I am concerned about ergonomics/health and productivity more than customization/gestures that either product offer. For example sometimes I feel lazy to use the trackpad over the mouse and vice versa; depending on the task..

You mentioned something about standing while you use it, and I can't speak to that. As far as the MX mouse vs Magic Trackpad, IMO the MX mouse is a hundred billion times faster to use, and I also think it's much better ergonomically. With the MX mouse, you rest your hand on it and can relax your hand, because it's big and will fill up your palm. So less tension in your hand. With the trackpad, you have to keep your hand and your fingers raised above it, which causes tension. I immediately noticed the difference in tension when I used it.

 

[thomasparra]

You mentioned something about standing while you use it, and I can't speak to that. As far as the MX mouse vs Magic Trackpad, IMO the MX mouse is a hundred billion times faster to use, and I also think it's much better ergonomically. With the MX mouse, you rest your hand on it and can relax your hand, because it's big and will fill up your palm. So less tension in your hand. With the trackpad, you have to keep your hand and your fingers raised above it, which causes tension. I immediately noticed the difference in tension when I used it.

Noted, makes sense. I think I will jump for the MX Mouse with a Magic Keyboard then ...

 

[jr5x]

Here is my MX mouse button programming, to give you some ideas of what it can do:

- Forward and back buttons on either side of the horizontal scroll wheel - leave as is (forward and back, e.g. when browsing web pages)(don't forget about the horizontal scroll wheel, which can scroll a page left and right)
- Thumb button (when you press down with your thumb, hidden button under there): Mission Control
- Click the main wheel: App Expose
- Button in back of the main wheel: Screen capture

 

[thomasparra]

Here is my MX mouse button programming, to give you some ideas of what it can do:

- Forward and back buttons on either side of the horizontal scroll wheel - leave as is (forward and back, e.g. when browsing web pages)(don't forget about the horizontal scroll wheel, which can scroll a page left and right)
- Thumb button (when you press down with your thumb, hidden button under there): Mission Control
- Click the main wheel: App Expose
- Button in back of the main wheel: Screen capture

It sounds very productive indeed. I am really thinking of going with the MX Master and pair it with a Magic Keyboard honestly now

 

[Beefbowl]

i use an MX Keys Mini with a MBP, and it’s quite a nice keyboard. On my Mac Mini I use the Apple keyboard. The one complaint I have with the MX Keys is that you can’t log in to your Mac with it after a reboot if you have disk encryption turned on (Apple locks out 3rd party Bluetooth devices). So whenever I boot the MBP I need to haul it out from its little shelf cubby and open it for long enough to log in. On the Mac Mini, I needed to keep a second keyboard around just to log in and then go back to using the Logitech keyboard, and while I don’t reboot often it was annoying enough to push me back to the Apple keyboard.

 

[thomasparra]

i use an MX Keys Mini with a MBP, and it’s quite a nice keyboard. On my Mac Mini I use the Apple keyboard. The one complaint I have with the MX Keys is that you can’t log in to your Mac with it after a reboot if you have disk encryption turned on (Apple locks out 3rd party Bluetooth devices). So whenever I boot the MBP I need to haul it out from its little shelf cubby and open it for long enough to log in. On the Mac Mini, I needed to keep a second keyboard around just to log in and then go back to using the Logitech keyboard, and while I don’t reboot often it was annoying enough to push me back to the Apple keyboard.

Makes sense! The 3rd party keyboards would be locked only if you reboot no? I mean if you just put your mac to sleep or let it sleep by itself, wake up in the morning would you need to retype your password on the Mac itself? It seems this occurrence would rarely happen if you don’t manually restart the Mac often?

By the way in terms of typing experience, and weight/quality do you prefer the Magic Keyboard over the MX?

 

[FelixTheShepherd]

Did you try the MX Keys before? Why do you use the MX Master over Magic Trackpad? If you do not do design or photo/video editing

No I didn't.
I should have specified. I use the MX master only if I am doing creative work because of the custom Key bindings. On a day to day basis I use the Magic Mouse.

 

[thomasparra]

I am going to the store today and I will try both the Magic Keyboard and the MX Keys (again). I think I will fall for the Magic Keyboard. However not sure if I should get the MX Master or Magic Trackpad yet...

 

[xraydoc]

I am going to the store today and I will try both the Magic Keyboard and the MX Keys (again). I think I will fall for the Magic Keyboard. However not sure if I should get the MX Master or Magic Trackpad yet...

Both - trackpad and mouse. I get wrist fatigue if I use a desktop trackpad for too long, but sometimes it's handy to have even if you've got a good mouse.

 

[jr5x]

thomas, if they have the MX Mechanical Tactile Quiet, try that one, too.

 

[thomasparra]

i went to the Apple Store today and fell for the Magic Keyboard Touch ID in space grey. I liked the feel of the keyboard and prefer the softer travel /push of it versus the MX Keys. Plus it has touchid which is very practical.

Now need to decide on trackpad versus MX Master 3S

 

[thomasparra]

thomas, if they have the MX Mechanical Tactile Quiet, try that one, too.

I couldn’t find it. Otherwise I tried a gaming Razer keyboard which I find very cool to type on. Windows keys though… didn’t like the other mechanic keyboards I found though

 

[mfram]

Now need to decide on trackpad versus MX Master 3S

Why do you need to decide? I use both with my Mac. Trackpad on left, keyboard in the middle (MX Mechanical in my case), and MX Master 3 on the right. The trackpad and mouse each have different strengths. I find the trackpad most useful for gestures (moving between desktops, etc) and for web surfing/scrolling. I find the mouse more useful in cases where you want to click-and-drag or select things. Use both!

 

[jr5x]

i use an MX Keys Mini with a MBP, and it’s quite a nice keyboard. On my Mac Mini I use the Apple keyboard. The one complaint I have with the MX Keys is that you can’t log in to your Mac with it after a reboot if you have disk encryption turned on (Apple locks out 3rd party Bluetooth devices). So whenever I boot the MBP I need to haul it out from its little shelf cubby and open it for long enough to log in. On the Mac Mini, I needed to keep a second keyboard around just to log in and then go back to using the Logitech keyboard, and while I don’t reboot often it was annoying enough to push me back to the Apple keyboard.

So if I got a Mac Mini or Studio, and I had only a Logitech MX keyboard and mouse, I would have to attach a corded keyboard every time I restarted the machine? If yes, would it be different if I had an Apple watch?