Apple Magic Keyboard
 |
This article requires additional photographic illustration — Pics of the model A1644 |
| Model no. |
A1644 MLA22LL/A (compact silver/white), A1843 MQ052LL/A (full-size silver/white), A1843 MRMH2LL/A (full-size grey/black) A2449 EMC3579 (compact blue 2021 /w fingerprint sensor) |
|---|---|
| Branding | Apple |
| Features | Automated pairing (compact, full-size desktop) |
| Keyswitches | Scissor switch/Rubber dome |
| Key travel | 1 mm (desktop) |
| Keycaps | Laser-etched chiclet |
| Interface |
USB over Lightning connector, Bluetooth 3.0 (compact, full-size) Proprietary "Smart connector" (iPad Pro) |
| Battery | 2.98 Wh Li-Ion (compact) |
| Dimensions | 279×114.9×10.9 mm (compact), 419×114.9×10.9 mm (full-size) |
| Weight | 231g (compact), 390g (full-size) |
| Introduced | 2015 (compact), 2017 (full size) |
| Supersedes | Apple Aluminium Keyboard |
| Price | $99 (compact), $129 (full size), $149 (compact with fingerprint reader), $179 (full-size with fingerprint reader) |
| Website | www.apple.com/shop/mac/mac-accessories/mice-keyboards |
The Apple Magic Keyboard is Apple's current keyboard line for Macintosh computers and the iPad Pro. Desktop computers are shipped with stand-alone models, and the similar mechanism is in newer laptops. Standalone models are also available separately.
Contents
History
The "Magic Keyboard" is the third product line with the "Magic" moniker. The convention originates with the "Magic Mouse", selected to one-up the name "Mighty Mouse" — which Apple could not use after receiving a lawsuit for trademark infringement.
The first in the line was the compact desktop "Magic Keyboard" in white/silver made as a successor to the aluminium "Apple Wireless Keyboard". It was released in 2015 simultaneously with the Magic Mouse 2 and the Magic Trackpad 2, with the trackpad made to match the lower profile of the Magic Keyboard.
Partly because of this numbering, users sometimes erroneously call the keyboard "Magic Keyboard 2" and the Apple Aluminium Keyboard range "Magic Keyboard 1", whereas Apple itself has never used that convention for the older keyboards. Peculiarly though, the models from the 2021 redesign have model numbers starting with "MK2" whereas earlier Magic Keyboards don't.
In June 2017, the "Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad" was introduced. At that time, legends on modifier keys were updated to a more consistent scheme of symbol and text. This including removing the last additional legends for non-Apple operating systems, which had been a convention since the Apple Extended Keyboard in 1987, including the "alt" text on Option keys.
In late 2019, Apple started to replace the problem-ridden "Butterfly" mechanism on Apple's laptops with a more traditional scissor/rubber-dome mechanism, also called "Magic Keyboard". The key mechanism is similar to the desktop's but with shorter key travel.
And in early 2020, Apple released a stand/cover with keyboard for the iPad Pro with a similar portable "Magic Keyboard" inside.
In April 2021, Apple announced a revised design for the desktop keyboards, matching a new range of ARM-based iMac desktop computers. They come anodised in six different colours of the anodised aluminium enclosures, matching the colours of the computers (including silver-grey). The keyboards also have more rounded corners, with the corner keys being rounded. The Fn key functions as a "World key" (Emoji key) when tapped. The Eject key has been replaced by a Screen lock key or a finger-print reader on different models. From August 2021 these are also sold separately, but only with silver-grey enclosure. The fingerprint reader will also work only with newer ARM-based Macintosh computers.
Key size and layout
Desktop keyboards have lower key travel than on the previous aluminium keyboards. Laptop/iPad keyboards have even lower key travel but not as low as on the "butterfly" keyboards that preceded them.
The keycaps have very little spacing in-between them, even less than on previous keyboards.
The keys on the bottom row are no longer slightly larger vertically than on other rows.
Vertical ISO Return keys are still narrow, but JIS Return keys are full-size.
Some keys are different on desktop and portable keyboards: On the desktop keyboards the left and right cursor keys are not halved vertically to make an inverse-T shape. Neither are the keys on the function key row smaller than on other rows.
Laptop keyboards have a fingerprint reader. Some laptop models have a Touch bar instead of function keys but keep a physical Escape key.
Touch ID
Touch ID is a fingerprint reader in Magic Keyboard with Touch ID (with or without numpad) and integrated in the keyboard of MacBook laptops with Magic Keyboard. It is used to unlock and log in into macOS or to switch users, and to purchase items using Apple Pay.
The host computer must be a Macintosh with an Apple CPU which includes a "Secure Enclave". The keyboard's Touch ID sensor is paired to one computer at a time. There is a limit of five Touch ID keyboards paired to one computer. Each user can store up to three fingerprints, but there is a total limit of up to five fingerprints per computer.
TouchID in an external keyboard can not be used with an iPad or iPhone, even if it has an Apple processor.
Touch ID sensors are not available anywhere else but in Apple Magic Keyboards. People have had to resort to dismantle existing keyboards to get them out.
Desktop keyboards
Unlike its predecessors (the Apple Aluminium Keyboard), the "Magic" desktop keyboards have rechargeable batteries. These are difficult to replace but allow the keyboards to have a flatter profile.
The function keys are the same size as other 1u keys but the Escape key is wider.
The keyboards use Bluetooth 3.0 and can pair automatically to a Macintosh when connected via the USB-to-Lightning cable to a computer running MacOS X 10.11 "El Capitan" or higher. The pairing protocol is proprietary. The first generation of keyboards came with USB A-to-Lightning cables. The 2021 versions come with USB C-to-Lightning cables, as the 2021 iMac and MacBook don't have USB A sockets.
The keyboards also work as a keyboard over USB but because its report protocol is different from the boot protocol there may be problems with some systems such as BIOS:es or KVM switches that don't follow the USB specification completely.
Unlike its wired predecessors, there is no USB hub.
"Magic Keyboard"
A compact variety, without numeric keypad. Successor to the aluminium "Apple Wireless Keyboard". Only in silver/white. Shipped with iMac.
Modifier legends were changed in 2017. Earlier revisions have the "alt" legend on Option keys.
"Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad"
The full-size varities are wireless, unlike the previous full-size Apple Aluminium Keyboard which had been wired only.
The silver/white introduced in June 2017, available only separately. A "Space Gray" variant with black keys was introduced with the iMac Pro in Dec 2017, and has been available separately since March 2018.
Silver-grey variants with black keys have been shipped with the 2019 Mac Pro.
Top view, ISO (German) layout
Side view
BT "Window" in the aluminum frame?
Back view
Imprint
2021 "Magic Keyboard" MK2A3LL
Compact 2021 version.
The Eject key has been replaced with a Screen lock key.
2021 "Magic Keyboard with Touch ID" MK293LL
Compact 2021 version.
The Eject key has been replaced with a fingerprint reader. It also works as a Screen lock key when pressed.
2021 "Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad" MK2C3LL
Full-size 2021 version.
The Eject key has been replaced with a fingerprint reader. It also works as a Screen lock key when pressed. The key is situated above the Backspace key, not in the top/right corner of the keyboard.
Portable
The "Magic" keyboards for Apple's portable computers replace the butterfly mechanisms in previous MacBooks. The keyboards are backlit.
The scissor mechanism is slimmer than on the desktop keyboards, with less key travel but are otherwise the same mechanically.
The left and right cursor keys are halved in height, making the keys into an inverse-T shape and making them easier to find by touch. The cursor keys are however slimmer than on pre-2015 keyboards where the entire space-bar row had been thicker vertically to begin with.
MacBook
On laptop keyboards, the function key row is halved vertically compared to other rows. Some models have a touch bar instead of function keys. However, unlike previous keyboards with touch bars, the Escape key is now a physical key.
iPad
The "Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro" is also a cover and an adjustable stand. The keyboard itself lacks function keys and an Escape key but Escape can be mapped onto another key in iPadOS. It also has an integrated touchpad, battery and USB C battery-charging port. It is connected to the tablet via a proprietary pogo-pin connector ("Smart keyboard" connector) over which it is able to charge itself and provide power to the iPad Pro, thus leaving the tablet's USB C port free. It is however very expensive, for which it has received much criticism.
External links
Desktop keyboard:
- Magic Keyboard on Wikipedia.
- Macworld: Apple Magic Keyboard review: Should have called it basic. Retrieved 2016-08-01.
- iFixit: Magic Keyboard Teardown. Dated 2015-10-15. Retrieved 2016-10-28.
Touch ID (fingerprint sensor):
- Apple Platform Security Guide — Magic Keyboard with Touch ID. Dated 2021-05-26.
- macOS User Guide — Use Touch ID on Mac.
MacBook:
- iFixit: MacBook Pro 16" 2019 Teardown. Dated 2019-11-18. Retrieved 2019-11-18.
iPad Pro:
- Engadget: Apple Magic Keyboard review: Blurring the line between iPad and MacBook. Dated 2020-04-20.
Forum links
- Geekhack — (BUILD) Magic Keyboard 2 but mechanical. Started 2023-07-28.
- Deskthority — Mechanical Keyboards with TouchID. Started 2023-10-01.
