Logitech MX Keys for Mac
A sleek, solid and backlit alternative to Apple’s own.
While there are countless peripheral options for Windowsbased systems on the market, it can be a little tricky finding anything as solid for Mac outside of Apple’s own line of Magic Keyboards and Mice. Thankfully, Logitech has brought its muchcelebrated MX series to the Mac, offering the same sleek operation and style as its PC counterparts, but with those final touches that make it truly integrate with your Apple ecosystem.
Of those extra tweaks, the most obvious are the macOS-specific key layout and language, and the striking Space Grey finish (which is still quite pleasant to look at, no matter how used to it we are). Other than these changes (and the included USB-C to USB-C cable to better communicate with your latest MacBook), the two MX Keyboards are identical. This is great news for Mac users as it means you’ll be getting the same awesome backlighting from the regular MX Keys, which automatically adjusts to the ambient light as well as turns on and off when it detects your hands’ proximity.
As is the case with previous Logitech peripherals, you can use ‘Flow’ with the MX Keys. This means that you can register up to three devices, have them simultaneously connected to your keyboard, and switch between each device with a dedicated button. This is great if you work across a MacBook, Mac, and iPad, for instance. You can even copy and paste files and text from one machine to another, granted they’re on the same Wi-Fi network.
Compared with Apple’s Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad ($219), Logitech’s MX Keys has the exact same layout and spacing but has a tiny bit more travel, although it’s still quite flat and minimal. They’re also more on the ‘spongey’ side of things rather than ‘snappy’, but we found both to be sensational to type on and purely a matter of preference. Logitech’s keys are also more indented compared with Apple’s relatively flat tops (which more or less mimc the latest MacBook keyboards). The MX is a bit larger than Apple’s offering – sitting ever-so-slightly higher off the desk and with a steeper incline – and is a good degree heavier too. This later factor is most likely due to its backlighting and bigger battery, which can last 10 days on a full charge or five months with backlighting switched off, compared with Apple’s single month.
Ultimately, while the feeling of typing on the keyboard is purely a matter of preference, the other factors that differentiate the MX Keys from Apple’s own Magic Keyboard are easy enough to weigh up. Logitech’s option is great if you’re in a situation where backlit keys would come in handy, or if you frequently swap between multiple devices you’d like to type on. If both apply, then the MX Keys for Mac is about to become your new best friend.
Harry Domanski