If you’re not a fan of Apple’s Magic Keyboards, whether for Mac or iPad, one of the best alternatives is the Logitech MX Keys Mini, which is currently on sale.
Logitech MX Keys Mini Mac Edition for $84.48
Logitech aims to meet the needs of MX Keys fans who found the full-sized version with the numeric keypad too bulky, providing an alternative to Apple’s Magic Keyboard without a numeric keypad. The keyboard comes with a 105-centimeter grey USB-C to USB-C cable for charging. The keyboard is Bluetooth compatible, but also works with the new Logitech Bolt dongle (USB-A still) (not included).
The MX Keys Mini for Mac features the same sturdy construction as the full-sized model, with an aluminum chassis, concave ‘Perfect Stroke’ keys, and mimics the layout of an Apple keyboard, without the markings for Windows use (Logitech does offer a universal
version). The keyboard is more angled than Apple’s and slightly less compact. For portability, the MX Keys Mini is noticeably heavier, weighing 508 grams on our scale, compared to 239 grams for the Magic Keyboard.
A Mac Layout, Backlit Keys, and Shortcuts
The keyboard can be paired with three separate devices (for example, a Mac, an iPad, and an iPhone), and dedicated keys allow for quick switching between them. The Flow feature is also included, allowing control of multiple computers with the same device. Logitech has also added shortcuts for functions accessible via the same-named keys.
Users can adjust the keyboard’s backlight, initiate voice dictation, open the emoji menu, take screenshots, mute the microphone (this works at the system level including with external microphones), manage volume and playback, and activate ‘Do Not Disturb’ mode.
A shortcut (Esc + fn) allows users to toggle from function keys to dedicated features without having to hold down a key each time (an option is also available through the software). Logitech mentions a battery life of up to 5 months with the backlighting turned off.