Apple Magic Keyboard USB-C Review

Apr 21, 2025

Apple has finally redesigned its Wireless Keyboard after eight years. Magic Keyboard ($99) has a sleeker frame and firmer key switches than its predecessor. Also included is a Lightning-to-USB cable that allows you to charge the battery and use the Magic Keyboard wired with your Mac desktop or laptop. If you can, try out the keyboard for an extended time period, as its keystrokes are shallower than that of the older model, so you may need some time to become accustomed to it.

Design and Features

The keyboard is quite small, even smaller than the compact Apple Wireless Keyboard. It measures 0.43 by 10.98 by 4.52 inches (HWD) and weighs about 8 ounces. The keyboard is too narrow to accommodate a separate numeric keypad. However, the function keys and the left and right directional keys are now full-size (they used to be half-height in the previous iteration). A matte aluminum keyboard matches the finish of the Apple iMac 21.5-inch with 4K Retina Display (at Amazon) and the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (2015) (at Amazon). White plastic covers the bottom, which has feet to prevent it sliding around. The internal Bluetooth antenna is visible through a window on the keyboard. Because Apple no longer has to design around AA batteries, the keyboard is quite thin, tapering from 0.43 inches in the back to 0.16 inches in the front.

One of the biggest complaints about wireless keyboards is their reliance on AA or AAA batteries, which rapidly deplete. By using an internal battery pack sealed within the keyboard, the Magic Keyboard eliminates these problems. The front panel has a Lightning port, which is connected to the included cable. It is possible to use the keyboard while it is charging and connected to your system. However, you will likely use it wirelessly via Bluetooth 4.0. You must have OS X El Capitan or later in order to use the keyboard.

Ergonomics Design

The keyboard lacks a tilt mechanism or adjustable arms, so it's almost flat. Although that gives it a slim, sleek profile, it can be uncomfortable if you're used to typing on a tilted keyboard. The AA batteries in the older Apple Wireless Keyboard raise the upper edge of its back edge, causing some tilt on the keyboard. You will rest your hands on your work surface since there is no palm rest. The Apple Magic Trackpad 2 0.43-inch max height and 4.52-inch depth match, so they look great side-by-side. Additionally, it looks good next to Apple Magic Mouse 2, which is also rechargeable.

Setup and Installation

It is relatively easy to pair the Magic Keyboard with your Mac or MacBook. Turn on the Bluetooth feature on your Mac first. Connect the keyboard to your system using a Lightning-to-USB cable, and turn it on. The keyboard is automatically paired via Bluetooth. When pairing is complete, you can disconnect the cable and use the keyboard via Bluetooth. Previous wireless Apple keyboards did not always pair with Bluetooth successfully at first, but this is easier. Until you pair it with another system, the Magic Keyboard will remain connected to your Mac. In your Mac's system preferences, you can check battery levels and change settings (like key-repeat rate). On a single charge, Apple claims the keyboard will last for a month.

Performance and Mechanism

The keys are operated using a tighter scissor mechanism in comparison to most keyboards on the market. In comparison to the last Apple keyboard, released in 2007, the keys are much quieter and wiggle less. In comparison to the Apple MacBook, these keys aren't quite as firm, but there's not a lot of key travel. Das Keyboard Model S Professional for Mac is much better than a membrane keyboard like Logitech's Keys-to-Go, but it's nowhere near as comfortable as the Das Keyboard Model S Professional for Mac's mechanical switches. Your fingers will likely tire quickly if you type with a heavy hand as I do on the MacBook. When my knuckles and wrists started hurting halfway through the review, I had to switch to the Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K750 for Mac.

Where to buy: Check price at Amazon.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

Extremely compact.
Rechargeable battery.
Automatically pairs with your Mac via Bluetooth, using the included Lightning cable.
Works wired or wirelessly.
Quiet keys.

Cons:

Requires OS X El Capitan or later.
No tilt mechanism.
Shallow keystrokes.

Conclusion

We recommend that you test out the Apple Magic Keyboard at your local Apple Store or Best Buy before making a purchase. It's either you love it or you hate it. You'll love it if you like flat, quiet keyboards with short key travel. Although I don't like the short key travel, it is an improvement over the previous-generation Apple Wireless Keyboard, particularly the rechargeable battery, the idiot-proof Bluetooth pairing procedure, and the ability to use it wired. Generally speaking, it's a good keyboard and a welcome addition to any Mac or MacBook.