Comparison of Keyboards for Mac: Magic Keyboard 2 vs 2021

When it comes to having a completely satisfactory user experience with a computer, the keyboard is a fundamental and essential part. Apple has had some problems with some keyboard models, however, it seems that with the Magic Keyboard 2 and Magic Keyboard 3 it has hit the mark, pun intended, and has been able to offer users a really fantastic keyboard. If you want to know the differences between the two, in this post we explain everything.

Most important differences of these keyboards for Mac

A priori these are the most important doubts. Aesthetics, functionalities and others are key points to know what is hidden behind each Mac and that we win if we have one in front of the other, since in the end there are two different generations of Magic Keyboard despite the fact that the new one is not officially called with the number 3.

Comparison of Keyboards for Mac: Magic Keyboard 2 vs 2021

Color, the most aesthetic change

The first change that stands out is the color of these keyboards. The Magic Keyboard comes in different keyboards depending on the color of iMac you choose. Therefore, if the 24-inch iMac from 2021 has a variety of colors that adds up to 7 different options, the same thing happens with the Magic Keyboard 3, below you have the colors in which it is available.

  • Blue.
  • Green.
  • Rose.
  • Silver.
  • Yellow.
  • Orange.
  • Purple.

iMac 24 pulgadas

These 7 varieties of Magic Keyboard 3 colors stand out from the only option that the user has to purchase the Magic Keyboard 2 in silver in the standard model, or the silver and space gray colors in which you can buy the Magic Keyboard 2 with numeric keyboard. Therefore, if you want to create a specific color combination in your study, desk or wherever you use your Mac, with the colors of the Magic Keyboard 3 you will have many more options on the table.

Magig Keyboard en negro

Different keys?

The variety of colors in which you can buy both keyboards is not the only difference between the two. The keys have also changed, specifically, the Magic Keyboard 3 introduces a series of keys that have functions that until now had no Apple keyboard. In this way, the Cupertino company has introduced the keys for Spotlight, Dictation, Emojis and Do Not Disturb so that users have faster and more comfortable access to each of these functions. The Spotlight, Dictation and Do Not Disturb functions have been introduced on the F4, F5 and F6 keys respectively. The F5 and F6 keys did not have any function, but the F4 has replaced the function of opening the Launchpad with opening the Spotlight. Finally, the key to access the emojis is available on the fn key at the bottom left of the keyboard in the case of the standard model, since on the Magic Keyboard with numeric keypad, this key is located on the right side of the keyboard. same.

Without a doubt, this change can be very positive since it adds different options to a keyboard that is already very complete. In addition, it can be a differentiating point for all those users who make important use of these 4 utilities in their day-to-day lives.

Nuevas teclas del Magic Keyboard 3

Touch ID makes the difference

We have already talked about the variety of colors that the Magic Keyboard 3 enjoys, also about the new functions that some of its keys have, however, surely the most significant change between one keyboard and another is in the Touch ID. The Magic Keyboard 3 introduces this touch unlock technology to give all users the ability to unlock the Mac without the need to continually enter the code. In this way, it continues with the line already started by the Cupertino company laptops that have been counting on Touch ID on their keyboards for years and delighting all users who enjoy it in their day-to-day lives.

As we said, this may be the most differentiating point between one keyboard and another, and surely, one of the most important aspects to take into account by users who have to opt for the Magic Keyboard 2 or the Magic Keyboard 3. Everything will depend on the times that each user unlocks the Mac in their day to day.

Magic Keyboard 3 con numeros

Be careful, not all of them are for all Macs

Time to talk about the last difference between these keyboards. If until now, all the differences that we have named and explained benefited the Magic Keyboard 3, in this case it is just the opposite. Many users were frustrated their intentions to acquire the Magic Keyboard 3 when Apple announced that this keyboard is only compatible with Macs that have the M1 Chip developed by Apple inside, that is, if your Mac has an Intel chip, you will not be able to use the Magic Keyboard 3. Without a doubt we are talking about a difference that there is to sell much less keyboards since, despite the fact that the leap to Apple’s M1 chip has been really fantastic, many users still enjoy and use Apple computers with Intel chip.

Many more similarities than differences

Obviously not everything was going to be differences, there are actually more similarities between the Magic Keyboard 2 and the Magic Keyboard 3 than the differences between them since, anyway, we are talking about two fantastic keyboards.

Same dimensions and weight

If we look at the dimensions and the weight of both keyboards, the differences do not exist, that is, they are really the same keyboard, something that many users celebrate since the dimensions of both are fantastic and difficult to improve. Below you can check which are the dimensions and weight of both keyboards, which we repeat again, they are the same.

  • Height: 0.41 to 1.09 cm
  • Width: 27.9 cm
  • Depth: 11.49 cm
  • Weight: 231g

Magic Keyboard 2

The best mechanism in its keys

Surely the greatest virtue of both keyboards, and yes, we say of both because in this aspect there is no difference again, something that we celebrate and that, surely from the Cupertino company, they celebrate that we celebrate, is the technology or the mechanism of the keys. In recent years Apple has had severe problems in the mechanism that they have used in their different keyboards, however, the fatal butterfly keyboards that some Mac models mounted and that have given so many problems both to users and to the Apple itself. In this case, both the Magic Keyboard 2 and Magic Keyboard 3 have the optimized scissor mechanism that undoubtedly gives users a really satisfying user experience.

Teclas Magic Keyboard 2

How are they loaded?

Finally we have to talk about the way that both keyboards fill their autonomy, that is, to charge. Both the Magic Keyboard 2 and the Magic Keyboard 3 have a Lightning port through which any cable with this termination can be connected and which in turn is connected to the computer itself or to a power source to be able to recharge the autonomy of the keyboard.

Magic Keyboard puerto de carga

Note : At the time of publication, the Magic Keyboard 3 is not sold separately and can only be purchased with the purchase of a 24-inch iMac.