- Keyboards For Mac Computers
- Best Keyboard For Mac Mini
- Using Pc Keyboard On Mac
- Best Wired Keyboard For Mac And Pc
- Best Keyboard For Both Mac And Pc
- Pc Keyboard For Mac
Bluebyte Multi-Device Universal Wireless Bluetooth 4.0 LE Keyboard with Comfortable Chiclet Key, Full Size Bluetooth Ultra-Slim Wireless Keyboard for Mac, Windows PC,Phone and Tablet.(White). With over a hundred of the most cutting-edge computer keyboard products available anywhere online, our massive range of wireless keyboard deals (as well as wireless mouse bargains) capitalize on recent advances in bluetooth keyboard and wireless keyboard technology. Transform the way you use and connect with your desktop PC, smart TV, TV box. Best Bluetooth keyboard: top wireless keyboards for iOS, Android, Mac and PC Top buys for snappy and satisfying typing without wires. The best MIDI keyboards for Mac and Logic Pro. It was a good time to re-assess the MIDI keyboard situation for Mac users. Kind is a must and a keyboard option is usually the best point of.
BestAlternatives to Apple's Magic KeyboardiMore2019
Every iMac and iMac Pro comes with a specially designed, Apple-branded Magic Keyboard and you either love it or hate it. If you love the look of the Magic Keyboard but don't love the feel, or maybe you were hoping for a little more than what comes in the box, we've got a list of keyboards that have a very similar design but offer something a little different.
A fully split mechanical keyboard that can accommodate a wide range of body types and ergonomic needs; it has both Mac and PC layout options. Best multidevice Bluetooth keyboard The compact, smooth-operating K380 is a desktop wireless keyboard replacement that connects to up to three devices -- including tablets and phones -- and allows.
Easy multi-pairing: Logitech Easy-Switch K811
Staff pickThis little ditty is my personal favorite. It's a compact keyboard designed with Mac in mind that has plenty of useful additional features. It has the added benefit of being specially designed to control features on your iPhone or iPad, like navigating to the Home screen and audio playback controls. With one button, you can switch between three different devices.
$99 at LogitechComes with Numeric Keypad: Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad
If you love everything about the Magic Keyboard, but you really want a numerical pad, this model's nearly identical to the Magic Keyboard except that it has a 10-key number pad, a couple of additional function keys, and dedicated control keys. It's the perfect solution for Mac users that need more keyboard functionality.
From $112 at AmazonTrackpad intact: Twelve South MagicBridge
If you already have a Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad and want to keep it in a tidy unit, the MagicBridge is the perfect setup for you. It's not a keyboard, but a case for your keyboard and trackpad. It fits both perfectly and you can switch the trackpad to either side. All ports and switches are exposed for convenient access.
$35 at AmazonMore color options: Matias Wireless Aluminum Keybaord
Matias' keyboard looks very similar to the Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad and has a nice, comfortable slant for typing. You can also pair up to four different Bluetooth supported devices, including your Apple TV. You can get the standard Matias Wireless Aluminum Keyboard in space gray, gold, silver, and rose gold.
From $80 at AmazonSolar charged: Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K750
The K750 is a hugely popular alternative to Apple's Magic Keyboard because it's a full-sized keyboard, complete with a very similar spacing pattern. Though it's called 'solar,' it actually charges up using any light, including a desk lamp in your hotel room.
$54 at AmazonBudget friendly: Anker Ultra Slim keyboard
For a low-cost alternative to Apple's Magic Keyboard, you'll be happy with Anker's universal Bluetooth keyboard. It uses the Magic Keyboard's scissor mechanism keys, so your typing experience will be very familiar. It doesn't come with a lot of bells and whistles, but for the price, it's the perfect alternative.
$22 at AmazonWhich one should you choose?
There are lots of third-party keyboards for Mac on the market. These are specifically for those of you that like the Magic Keyboard's design but are looking for something slightly different. My personal favorite is the Logitech K811. I love being able to quickly switch between my Mac, iPhone, and iPad.
![Wireless keyboard for mac Wireless keyboard for mac](/uploads/1/2/4/7/124798657/210940065.jpg)
However, if you just want something inexpensive that you can toss into your bag when you're on the go, then pick up an Anker Ultra Slim Keyboard. It's compact, just two thirds the size of a traditional keyboard. The battery will go six months between charges with typical use and takes only 2.5 hours to charge fully.
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Your Next Keyboard: Why Go Mechanical?
If you're a computer user of, shall we say, 'a certain age,' you remember a time when a room-filling cacaphony of clicking was synonymous with typing as words appeared...uh, on a sheet of paper. Typewriters were, in a sense, the original mechanical keyboard, and generations of 20th-century office workers and aspiring novelists honed their typing chops on them. But as the hardy, ribbon-based machines gave way to computers, a different kind of mechanical keyboard came to the fore: the battlewagon keyboards of the early days of computing. And they were beasts. They used keys that clicked and rattled, and many of them felt like they would last forever. (Indeed, some of them are still in service.)
Keyboards For Mac Computers
That's the appeal of today's mechanical computer keyboards: They feel like products built for the ages, in these days of disposable tech. Even throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, mechanical keyboards were as common a part of computer setups as floppy disk drives—because the people who were creating and using them knew what typing could, and should, be. Sadly, with the explosion of the home PC market in the 1990s and into the early 2000s, sturdy mechanical boards fell out of favor, as manufacturers looked for cheap, mass-market ways of getting tens of millions of people on their machines and online. Typing, that most basic of computing activities, became something you and your fingers had to endure, not enjoy, on subpar gear.
Luckily, the keyboard-quality pendulum has swung back in the other direction over the last decade. Mechanical keyboards are once again viable, even popular, alternatives to the bundled cheapie. They cost more, but they are far more rugged than a run-of-the-mill model. And keyboard makers now make them in lots of flavors to serve most major subclasses of buyers: productivity-minded users (with plain models), gamers (with keyboards replete with LED bling), ergonomically minded folks, and more.
A mechanical keyboard is a bit of an investment, though, so here's what you need to know in order to make the right choice.
At the Heart of Mechanical: The Key Switch
First and foremost, the thing that defines a mechanical keyboard is the key switch it uses. Most budget keyboards today use dome-switch technology, which registers a keypress when you type and push down a silicone dome and connect two circuit-board traces. (This technology is also sometimes referred to as 'membrane switch' or 'rubber dome,' with minor variations in the essential design.) Though this style is easy and inexpensive to manufacture, pressing the keys requires a relatively large amount of force, which can result in a heavy, mushy feel to the fingers and a lack of either tactile or auditory feedback when you type. Plus, after a fairly 'short' time (five million keystrokes, give or take), the domes can lose their springiness and either work less well or stop working altogether. So you'll probably have to replace the keyboard at least once or twice over the life of the computer that you use it with.
Mechanical switches, by contrast, get rid of the silicone altogether. Pressing down on the key activates a real, physical switch, usually involving a spring as the pushback mechanism, that registers what you type. Because the parts used are much more substantial than those in dome-switch keyboards, mechanical keyboards typically have a much longer life span. (Many boast ratings of 50 million keystrokes or more per switch, and may well outlast the first—or fifth!—computer you use them with.) The typing feedback also creates a more direct relationship between your fingers and what appears on the screen. Because of the hardware involved, mechanical keyboards tend to be thicker, heavier, and more expensive than their dome-switch counterparts. They are more of an investment, but one that will pay off in sheer satisfaction if the quality of typing really matters to you.
When shopping for a mechanical keyboard, you will want to pay attention, above all else, to the kind of switch it uses, and whether it offers auditory feedback (in other words, a click you can hear) or tactile feedback (a 'bump' you can feel), or both. Also important is the amount of pressure that the switches require to activate (the 'actuation force'). That will greatly affect its functionality and the possibility of finger fatigue.
The Classics: Cherry MX Switches
The best known and most frequently encountered mechanical key switches come from a company called Cherry Industrial. These 'Cherry MX' switches come in a range of styles that offer different operation and feedback to better match with your own personal preference, and the work or play you plan to do most on them. (Note that most have an actuation point of 2mm.)
The different types of Cherry MX keys are named for colors. This rundown of the most common Cherry switches will help you better match what you need with the mechanical keyboards you can buy. Keep in mind that some keyboard makers use switches of a similar style, made by companies other than Cherry. But almost every manufacturer maintains the same basic 'color' scheme and related traits to help keep confusion down. (So, for example, Cherry MX Blue switches, and Blue-'style' switches from other makers, both tend to be clicky.)
Cherry MX Blue
A close approximation of the old-school buckling-spring switch (see below), but with a new-style mechanism, Cherry MX Blue switches are both tactile and clicky. With Blue switches, you feel as well as hear the completion of a keystroke (via a bump when it activates, and a distinct click). These switches are ideal for serious typists (many of whom insist that the switches deliver a turbocharging bounce you can't get anywhere else), but they are not best for gaming applications, as they have a rather higher actuation force (50 centi-Newtons, or cN) than you might prefer for a fast-twitch gun battle.
Another potential downside of the Blues: Some people find the keys' audible click quite loud (and possibly, annoying), which may cause problems in close quarters, whether at the office or at home. An office full of Cherry MX Blue keyboards will sound suspiciously like a big-city newsroom, circa 1935.
Cherry MX Black
With the highest actuation force of the standard Cherry varieties (60cN), the Cherry MX Black switch can come across as stiff. This type is thus less suitable for the kind of nimble key work most speed and touch typists depend on, and fast-fingered gamers tend to shun it. But this makes Black an excellent switch for cases where precision is paramount: entering mission-critical data (say, for an accountant or at a point-of-sale terminal) or for certain kinds of more deliberate gaming, as you will seldom have to worry about accidentally striking a key twice. Cherry MX Black switches are also neither tactile nor clicky.
Cherry MX Red
Similar to MX Black, Cherry MX Red switches lack both tactile and auditory feedback. But they have a lower actuation force (45cN), so they can be hit more quickly and more often, giving you the edge in any game demanding ultra-quick input. MX Red keyboards tend to be favored by gamers who play games that require fast-twitch actions. These same qualities, however, keep them from being a good choice if typing is your primary activity, as they make it easier to register more keystrokes than you intend or to trigger typos on a slightly stray stroke. Certain highly precise typists, though, will appreciate their light touch.
Cherry MX Brown
If you spend about as much time scribing emails and Word documents as you do mowing down charging zombies in first-person shooters, the Cherry MX Brown switch may be for you. Its 45cN actuation force is identical to what you get from the Red switch and, like it, the switch isn't clicky, but it gives you the same typing-boosting tactile bump you get from Blue. It's often cited as a good balance for gaming and typing between the clicky MX Blues and the 'fast' MX Reds.
Cherry MX Speed Silver
Much like MX Reds, Cherry MX Speed Silvers demand the same 45cN actuation force, albeit with a shorter actuation point of just 1.2mm. (Reds have a 2mm actuation point.) The total travel distance is shorter too, at 3.4mm as opposed to the 4mm travel distance of the Cherry MX Reds. Having to press down less of a distance contributes to these switches' namesake trait: speed. As a result, the delay between pressing down a key and performing an action is kept to a minimum, making Speed Silvers a refreshed favorite for gamers.
Other Cherry MX Switches
The above switches are the kinds you're most likely to find in a keyboard you purchase today, but Cherry's rainbow does extend a bit further, to a few much less common types. Cherry Clear switches are tactile like Brown, but possess a higher actuation force; Green switches can be considered stiff Blues, both tactile and clicky; and White switches are quieter Greens. Several other types have specialized uses (such as just for space bars), but they will seldom be identified as such on any package or marketing material.
The Non-Cherry Brigade
A number of companies make switches that either mimic or try to improve on the Cherry MX switch functionality. Some gaming-keyboard switches, for example, have shorter actuation points to register your keypress action more quickly. Razer, for one, recently developed a hybrid 'Mecha-Membrane' variety that uses mechanical means to activate a silicone dome switch. We've seen this used in the likes of the Ornata Chroma, as well as in the Cynosa Chroma and its underglow-laden twin, the Cynosa Chroma Pro. But we'd consider these spinoffs as opposed to true mechanicals. (Cooler Master has offered similar 'hybrid' switches.)
Razer also offers true mechanical switches, known as Razer Green (tactile and clicky), Razer Orange (tactile and silent), and Razer Yellow (linear and silent). Here's where one vendor goes off the color rails: The Razer Greens are most similar to Cherry MX Blue switches, Razer Oranges are closest to Cherry MX Browns, while Razer Yellows are congruent to Cherry MX Reds. Razer key switches exhibit unique travel distances and actuation points, too: Greens and Oranges are 4mm deep and actuate at 1.9mm, and Yellows are 3.5mm deep and actuate at 1.2mm. You'll want to try these before you buy as they are a world of their own.
Logitech's mechanical keyboards, on the other hand, have become increasingly popular for their homebrew Romer-G switches. These come in both Tactile and Linear flavors and are rated for a whopping 70 million keystrokes. Romer-G switches are outfitted with an actuation distance between that of the Cherry MX Reds and Silvers, and they require the same 45cN force to actuate. Furthermore, Logitech now posits GX Blue switches as an alternative to Cherry MX Blues. You can find all of these options in variants of the Logitech G513 Carbon.
None of these has become quite as popular or as widespread as the Cherry MX switches, though, so for the most part they're not worth discussing in depth. If you come across a keyboard brand using an unfamiliar switch type, try to determine both its actuation force (explained above) and its actuation point (at which depth of the keypress what you type is registered). Compare these values with those of the Cherry switches, and you should get an idea of what you're in for. Trying them in person is also recommended; we've tried imitation Blue, Brown, and other switches, and noted some subtle and not-so-subtle differences in feel from the Cherry standard. One major, common maker of Cherry-like key switches is Kaihua Electronics, better known by its subsidiary brand Kailh. Kailh switches are often used in lower-cost mechanical models, and indeed, if you yank a keycap off a late-model mechanical keyboard and don't see the word 'Cherry' on the switch, 'Kailh' is the next most likely branding you might see.
Best Keyboard For Mac Mini
One of the most unusual switches you can find is, in fact, a quintessential mechanical example. The buckling-spring switch was used in the now-legendary IBM Model M keyboards that made such an impact in the 1980s—some of which are still in use today. It can still be found in keyboards from Unicomp, the company that acquired the manufacturing rights to it. (The Unicomp Ultra Classic definitely lives up to its name.) Buckling-spring keyboards use a genuine spring to activate the switch; when it buckles in the middle as you press it, it causes tactile and aural feedback (the latter from the spring hitting the wall of the switch enclosure). Keyboards using this style of switch are rare these days, but they're prized for their unparalleled typing capability and psychological satisfaction.
Additional Features
Using Pc Keyboard On Mac
Their switches aside, mechanical keyboards have the same feature considerations as other kinds of keyboards. You may want key backlighting, whether of one color or an entire spectrum you can program at your whim. ('Per-key' RGB backlighting, in which you can program each key across the whole RGB spectrum, is the ne plus ultra of key backlighting, but it adds to the cost. See our favorite RGB keyboards.) Multimedia controls, whether they're activated by pushing separate buttons or using a Function key to access a secondary ability on one of the standard keys, can make it easy to adjust volume or move backward and forward in your track list while playing music.
Best Wired Keyboard For Mac And Pc
Look for convenience features such as a volume dial or roller. (Corsair is well known for nifty volume rollers on some of its high-end mechanical boards.) And dedicated macro buttons can be a real boon for gamers, saving you the trouble of executing tricky key combinations or menu manipulations every time you want to perform a common action.
In any case, whatever you want from a keyboard, you can find a mechanical keyboard capable of making it a reality—with more heft, longevity, and style than you may have thought possible. Mechanical keyboards are back and here to stay, and likely to only get better as more and more buyers realize the benefits they offer to laser-focused typists, hardcore gamers, and everyone in between.
If you're not wedded to mechanical key switches, check out our overall roundup of the best general-purpose keyboards we've tested, as well as the best gaming keyboards. And if you're in the market for a pointing device to go with your keyboard, check out our looks at the best computer mice and the best gaming mice.
Best Keyboard For Both Mac And Pc
The Best Mechanical Keyboards Featured in This Roundup:
Pc Keyboard For Mac
Corsair K95 RGB Platinum Review
MSRP: $199.99Pros: Dedicated media controls. Smooth, responsive keys. Attractive brushed aluminum finish. Easy-to-use customization utility.Cons: Expensive. No audio jack.Bottom Line: The Corsair K95 RGB Platinum is a pricey gaming keyboard with an ideal blend of aesthetics and functionality that leaves little room for improvement.Read ReviewKinesis Freestyle Edge RGB Split Mechanical Gaming Keyboard Review
MSRP: $219.00Pros: True Cherry MX switches in a choice of three varieties. Comfortable ergonomic design, once you're accustomed to it. Superb, plush wrist rest. Per-key customizable RGB lighting.Cons: Driverless SmartSet app is more work than we'd like. Optional 'lift kit' costs extra. Steep learning curve.Bottom Line: In the Freestyle Edge RGB, Kinesis brings best-in-class ergonomics to the gaming-keyboard scene for players serious about minding their wrists and hands in the course of their gaming endurathons.Read ReviewAlienware Pro Gaming Keyboard (AW768) Review
MSRP: $119.99Pros: Switches feel great for typing and gaming. Cool, angular design. Volume roller. Software auto-installs.Cons: AlienFX functionality restricted to Alienware systems.Bottom Line: Alienware's flagship keyboard not only sports an impressive design and RGB LED lighting system, but also provides a premium experience for both typing and gaming.Read ReviewCorsair K70 RGB MK.2 Review
MSRP: $169.99Pros: Extensive switch options. Per-key RGB lighting. Versatile utility software.Cons: Minimal updates from previous iterations.Bottom Line: The Corsair K70 RGB MK.2 may not possess a litany of substantial upgrades on the previous generation, but it does offer small improvements on Corsair's steadfast and functional design.Read ReviewDas Keyboard 4Q Review
MSRP: $199.99Pros: Aluminum top plate. Dedicated media controls. Nifty RGB lighting.Cons: Q software can be frustrating to use.Bottom Line: The Das Keyboard 4Q carries on the mechanical-keyboard company's hardware legacy, but it's the RGB lighting, not the quirky 'Q' alerts software, that will justify the price premium for most of the Das faithful.Read ReviewLogitech G513 Carbon Review
MSRP: $149.99Pros: Choice of Linear and Tactile switch types. Comfortable and quiet for typing and gaming. Slick design. Roomy palm rest. Per-key RGB lighting.Cons: Software takes patience to learn. No dedicated macro or media keys. Subdued RGB illumination.Bottom Line: Though it cries out for media/macro keys, the minimalist Logitech G513 Carbon gaming keyboard justifies its price with custom, RGB-lit mechanical switches that feel great and won't wake up your household.Read ReviewRazer BlackWidow Chroma V2 Review
MSRP: $169.99Pros: Minimalistic design. Fully programmable, individually backlit keys. Lighting is attractive, with easily customizable colors and effects. Responsive mechanical switches. Includes macro keys and USB 2.0 pass-through.Cons: Lacks a media bar. Wrist rest can result in some uncomfortable typing angles.Bottom Line: The Razer BlackWidow Chroma V2 is a high-end gaming keyboard that boasts plenty of color and function customization options, and keys that feel good for both work and play.Read ReviewRoccat Vulcan 120 AIMO Review
MSRP: $159.99Pros: Stately look can serve gamers, productivity users alike. High-quality switch feel and sound. Dedicated media keys and volume dial. Per-key RGB lighting, plus zone-based lighting.Cons: No dedicated macro keys. No USB or audio pass-through.Bottom Line: With custom Roccat key switches, elaborate RGB lighting, and a kitchen-sink feature set, the Vulcan 120 AIMO mechanical gaming keyboard is well worth the price of admission.Read ReviewSteelSeries Apex M750 Review
MSRP: $139.99Pros: Very fast switches. Unobtrusive, compact design. Excellent backlighting and function customization options.Cons: No dedicated media keys, G-keys or USB pass-through. No adjustable feet.Bottom Line: The SteelSeries Apex M750 is excellent for seasoned gamers who care less about bells and whistles and more about fast actuation and fine control of backlighting and key assignments.Read ReviewRazer BlackWidow (2019) Review
MSRP: $119.99Pros: Compact for a full keyboard. Very nice build. Chroma Studio lighting.Cons: No macro keys, USB pass-through, or media controls. Price seems a little high for what it brings to the table.Bottom Line: The 2019 edition of Razer's BlackWidow gaming keyboard is a smart compromise for budget-conscious players, offering top-of-the-line fundamentals at the expense of some quality-of-life features we've come to expect in high-end devices.Read Review