If you have an iMac you will well know the Magic Keyboard , since it is the official keyboard that these devices incorporate in their original box. If you have a MacBook, you may not even know it, unless you use the computer connected to an external monitor and with a separate keyboard. Logitech has an alternative, the MX Keys for Mac , which we will compare with that of Apple in this article.
Conflicting designs
Before analyzing the technical specifications of each one, we believe it convenient to start with the first thing we observe when looking at these keyboards: their design. It is not that this is a determining point, since in the end no one will buy a device just for being beautiful, although the truth is that it will not do it if it is considered grotesque.
This field is very given to admit subjective opinions, since each one has his own taste and will be able to get his own points in favor of the design of each one of the keyboards. Therefore, we leave the interpretation of each one which is more beautiful or elegant and we stick to analyze the data that we all see.
The Magic Keyboard stands out for its classic colors in which minimalism is the main rule, something very common in Apple designs. They combine the silver of its base with the white of its keys, very matching the color of the iMac and other elements such as the Magic Mouse. The Logitech MX Keys for its part would play more in favor of the iMac Pro or certain MacBook, since its main bet is to combine space gray with black.
Beyond that, the shapes of each one are very different since the Magic Keyboard is much smaller than Logitech’s, due in large part to the fact that the latter adds several more columns in which some function buttons are integrated or the gridded numeric keypad.
Technical specifications
We could say that aesthetically these keyboards are the antithesis of each other, but that at first glance, since in the field of technical specifications we find some similarity.
We start by analyzing the weight of each one, since the Logitech weighs almost 5 times more than Apple’s. Specifically, it has a weight of 810 grams , which could be an inconvenience when transporting it in backpacks, but at the same time it provides greater security when using it knowing that thanks to this robustness the keyboard will anchor to the surface in which Let’s use it without fear that it will move and distract us from what we are doing.
The Magic Keyboard from Apple has a weight of 195 grams , which is surprising the first time it is held in hand because, despite its size, it gives the feeling that it will weigh more. The comforts that this gives are endless, being able to even wear it on the knees at any given time. And what could be a drawback in fixing on surfaces becomes a positive point, since it incorporates four small non-slip rubber bands that serve as anchor points so that the keyboard does not ‘dance’ when it is being used.
In dimensions there are also considerable differences. The MX Keys have a width of 43 centimeters and a height of 13.5 centimeters. The thickness varies depending on where it is measured, since it has a piece at the top that reaches 2 centimeters, while the rest has 0.5 centimeters. The Magic Keyboard for its part is 11 centimeters wide, 4.5 centimeters high and has a thickness of 0.5 centimeters at its bottom that rises to 1 centimeter at the top.
In the field of battery we have to say that both are charged by cable, Lightning in the case of the Apple model and USB-C in the Logitech. There are no exact data about the capacity of both batteries, but for practical purposes the two have a similar autonomy in which with intensive use they could go several months without needing a charger.
They both have a power switch on one of the edges of their upper part and both can work with a Bluetooth connection . Of course, the Logitech also supports a nano USB receiver that serves to connect to any device with this standard without having to resort to the Bluetooth connection.
Mac user experience
In this newsroom, as it could not be less, we spend hours and hours writing text, so having a good keyboard is more than fundamental. As a spoiler we can anticipate that both are keyboards with which any text editor would feel comfortable without needing anything else. However, there are small details worth evaluating.
The Magic Keyboard is already a classic and the way to adapt to the macOS ecosystem is outstanding. It could not be less considering that it is designed by Apple itself. The scissor mechanism that it incorporates makes it really comfortable for long writing days and its size is ideal for all types of hand physiognomy. Its low weight and size also allow it to be attached to any part of the work table, thereby leaving room for more elements such as the mouse or trackpad. This is especially remarkable if you also have a surface that does not stand out precisely because it is large.
Far from being left behind in integration, Logitech MX Keys for Mac goes one step further in complementing with macOS . Beyond the convenience of having access to the numeric keyboard on the right, it stands out for having tremendously useful keyboard shortcuts on a daily basis. For example, the Mac lock button, which works by pressing the fn and esc keys at the same time. Having other shortcuts like launching the launchpad or controlling aspects like brightness and volume is also a very positive thing on a third-party keyboard.
The mechanism of this keyboard is somewhat shorter than that of the Magic Keyboard, although there is not much difference between the two. The indentation that the keys have perhaps can be a differential factor between the two, since it provides a better feeling during typing and despite being a small detail, it is missing when you go from this keyboard to any other.
The negative point we have about this keyboard is its size and weight. It is true that it is not designed to always be carried or moved constantly, but if you have a very tight workspace in dimensions it may be too tedious. We do not know at the development level if the weight could have been reduced a little more. In any case, it is not a reason of great importance to overshadow the rest of the excellent features it has.
Usability with an iPad
Those who use an iPad for office tasks or others in which a keyboard can be useful, these two options are highly recommended as well. It is true that perhaps they are not the most optimal if you want to guarantee a good experience of use in mobility, but for use in fixed places they can be very remarkable tools.
The iPadOS operating system has managed to receive very well the features that macOS brings to the keyboard and vice versa, so we can take advantage of identical shortcuts and settings using both the Magic Keyboard and the Logitech MX Keys. Obviously an iPad is still very different from a Mac in many aspects of the interface, but at the time of writing we find the same.
In our case we could say that the same strengths and weaknesses of both keyboards that we have highlighted on Mac have also been noted on the iPad. Although in this case, and perhaps it is somewhat more personal for the members of this newsroom, we still feel more comfortable with keyboards fully designed for Apple tablets.
Price
We come to one of the points that are always most controversial. We have more or less money, we always like to pay as little as possible, but unfortunately we will have to loosen our pockets if we want to get one of these two keyboards. In the judgment of each one it remains to say whether or not they have a fair price.
The Magic Keyoard from Apple can be 99 euros in the physical Apple Store and online, which can be seen on sale in some stores such as Amazon. This in the standard version, since the version with numerical keyboard rises to 149 euros.
The Logitech MX Keys has an official price of 115 euros . At the moment it is not available in Spain, although it will be this coming August and it can be purchased with a Spanish keyboard, with the ‘ñ’ key and the rest of the distinctive features of this language.
Conclusions
It’s up to you. That might be the best summary of our conclusion. It is not that we do not want to get wet, since honestly in this newsroom we have been able to squeeze both keyboards to the maximum and each one gives us a very positive experience. What we can not say in any case is that they are not recommended or that you are going to have a bad experience with them, because they are probably the two best keyboard options for Mac, with the always useful functionality of being able to also serve on an iPad.
We recommend you analyze your needs based on what is expressed in this comparison, such as the aspects related to size or the extra functions they add. It is small details that can finally tip the balance in favor of one or the other, as well as the price or the fact of finding a specific offer in one of them. Be that as it may, surely you will not regret any.