Please advise on keyboard substitution

[rjalex]

Dear friends, I work programming 8-10hrs a day with my Mac Mini and until now have used an old 2011 A1314 Wireless Magic keyboard (and a newer trackpad).

This old keyboard is starting to have issues with the O key and eats away at the batteries (I am now using eneloops to try avoid throwaway batteries) plus it sometimes have an hard time pairing with the M4 Pro mini when booting.

For this reason I'd want to swap to a good WIRED keyboard.

I am trying to make my mind up between two 75 low profile keyboard:

1. Nuphy Air75 with Wisteria switches
2. LOFREE Flow84

Other than the reading through the specs, is any of you guys using one of these two and be able to tell how far do they stray from the experience you have with the old magic keyboard?

Of course I could also consider the new rechargeable Magic Keyboard but as I type a lot maybe mech keyboards will be more forgiving on my hands?

Thanks for your advice.

 

[madmin]

Have you considered the Voyager from ZSA ? I'm very happy with mine and looking forward to receiving their new trackball accessory next week.

 

[Boyd01]

I type a lot too, originally learned "touch typing" back in the 1960's in a classroom of mechanical office typewriters with blank keys and a chart on the blackboard. 😄

I had been using the Apple wired USB keyboards for many years and always liked them, but they were discontinued by 2020 when I upgraded my Mini. So, I got one of the bluetooth extended Apple Keyboards (the now-discontinued space gray version from the iMac Pro) and still really like it. No idea what they might have changed since 2020, but mine has a nice amount of key travel and a satisfying "click". Of course, this is all very personal stuff.

Should also note that these Apple Bluetooth keyboards actually become USB keyboards when plugged in (mine is always plugged in).

 

[rjalex]

I would really prefer a wired keyboard especially to avoid the pain of the charge dying in the middle of a work session. Thanks for your advice.

 

[maflynn]

I'm a big fan of Keychron, they have a number of wired keyboards in a variety of configurations and sizes.

 

[rjalex]

Have you considered the Voyager from ZSA ? I'm very happy with mine and looking forward to receiving their new trackball accessory next week.

Wow very radical choice I would be worried about my muscle memory and having to readapt completely.

 

[Boyd01]

I would really prefer a wired keyboard especially to avoid the pain of the charge dying in the middle of a work session.

Well, the Apple bluetooth keyboard will give you that by simply plugging it in. Of course, the downside is that you're paying extra for bluetooth functionality that you don't use. One advantage of wireless is that it can free up a USB port on my Mini (I use every port). That actually works well, if I need to plug something in (phone, USB stick, etc), I just unplug the keyboard. It automatically switches to bluetooth as soon as I pull the plug and I can continue using it like nothing happened.

 

[Fishrrman]

Macally has several Mac-specific wired low-profile keyboards, including one that has a built-in USB hub (2 "a" ports and one USBc port).

I have one and it's quite nice.
See this URL:

Mac Keyboard Collection - Shop Macally Keyboards For Mac

Upgrade your Mac keyboard today! Discover Macally keyboards featuring: wireless, Bluetooth, wired, USB C, and mouse combos with up to 25% off first orders

us.macally.com

 

[xraydoc]

Dear friends, I work programming 8-10hrs a day with my Mac Mini and until now have used an old 2011 A1314 Wireless Magic keyboard (and a newer trackpad).

This old keyboard is starting to have issues with the O key and eats away at the batteries (I am now using eneloops to try avoid throwaway batteries) plus it sometimes have an hard time pairing with the M4 Pro mini when booting.

For this reason I'd want to swap to a good WIRED keyboard.

I am trying to make my mind up between two 75 low profile keyboard:

1. Nuphy Air75 with Wisteria switches
2. LOFREE Flow84

Other than the reading through the specs, is any of you guys using one of these two and be able to tell how far do they stray from the experience you have with the old magic keyboard?

Of course I could also consider the new rechargeable Magic Keyboard but as I type a lot maybe mech keyboards will be more forgiving on my hands?

Thanks for your advice.

Unless you're absolutely committed to a low-profile keyboard, I'd really suggest looking at standard-profile keyboards. They allow for substantially more customization insofar as switches and keycaps, and of course there's way more choice in terms of different layouts available.