Choosing the right keyboard for your MAC can make all the difference. This phrase may sound absurd since these devices have one built-in, but the comfort and versatility that having one separate gives you are “things that few people know.” Therefore, in this guide, we are going to learn about the best keyboards for MAC in 2024 and we are going to help you choose the one that best suits your needs.
Every day more keyboards use different technologies, but there are also many people who still prefer to use a traditional, or not-so-traditional, mechanical keyboard with their Mac. This is because mechanical keyboards provide great advantages over those who are already predetermined.
In this class of peripherals, comfort is a crucial element, especially for those who spend long hours typing. In addition, external keyboards are easy to repair, as individual keys can be easily replaced, which is a significant benefit.
But it’s not all good things. Before buying a keyboard for your APPLE device, you should know that the American company is a little special when it comes to making its peripherals. If you buy a generic keyboard, it will most likely work on a Mac, but if it is not compatible, some keys will not respond as they should. This is because the key layout on Windows and Mac is different.
What features should a keyboard have to be compatible with MAC?
Connectivity is not a problem when choosing a keyboard. As long as it has a Bluetooth connection or has a cable compatible with Apple devices, they can connect. The problem is that the MacOS system has a special configuration. There are the command (CMD) and option keys, which are not registered on generic Windows keyboards, so you would be losing two main functions that are widely used on Macs.
On Mac, copy and paste works differently. In Windows we normally use the CTRL key, located in the lower left corner, to perform this action, while on Mac, we execute it with the CMD key, located next to the space. That is why if we connect a keyboard designed for Windows to a Mac, it will recognize it, but it will not assign the CMD function to the corresponding key.
What should be the MAC keyboard that best suits me?
Before moving on to our recommended keyboards, we must analyze the needs of each user, since various factors make a mechanical keyboard better suited to one person than another.
Types of keyboards
There are 3 different types of keyboards: membrane keyboards, mechanical keyboards and semi-mechanical keyboards.
Membrane keyboards are perfect for use in places where you need silence, and they are quite affordable. Of course, they may not be as precise as mechanical keyboards, especially if you need it to play video games.
Mechanical keyboards are the most durable to date. They are ideal for people who play video games and need quick reactions. The bad part is that they are more expensive than membrane keyboards, but their quality and durability make them worth it.
Finally, semi-mechanical keyboards are a mix of the previous two. They offer a feel similar to mechanical keyboards, but being built with a different material, they do not have the quality of these. They are a good option for those looking for a balance between performance and price.
Wireless or wired keyboard
In an increasingly digital age, most manufacturers are making more and more wireless keyboards. Wireless technology is getting better and better, and in this case, the Bluetooth connection has improved significantly since the early 2000s. Today, the coverage and signal strength allow keyboards to have a seamless connection, allowing multiple devices to be paired. and that these have an instantaneous response capacity.
But this is like everything, there are a variety of opinions regarding this, there are people who love them and others who hate them.
Keyboard length
Originally, all keyboards came with 104 or 108 keys depending on the layout. These keyboards include a number pad on the right, plus all system keys and function (F) keys.
However, with the increasing popularity of laptops and minimalist designs, keyboards have evolved to be more compact. The redundancy of having numbers in two places and the reduced need for function keys have led to the creation of external keyboards with only 87 or 88 keys.
Likewise, there are also designs with a size of 75% over the original design. The only thing that changes is that it eliminates a bit of space between different areas of the keyboard to put keys like Insert, Delete, and Home in a single column on the right side of the keyboard.
Another common size is the 60% keyboard. The main feature of this type of keyboard is that it eliminates the numeric keypad and the F-key row, but it counteracts this with a new FN function key that allows you to access all the F function keys.
Although there are more and more different keyboards, there are many users who continue to prefer keyboards with a greater number of letters. The choice depends on the needs and preferences of each person.
Keyboard ergonomics
Just as we have mentioned before, minimalism is in trend, which is why super-flat design keyboards are also in trend. This trend is here to stay due to its numerous advantages and premium look. These keyboards feature greater noise reduction, lower weight, and optimized responsiveness, however, they are not always the best option.
When purchasing a keyboard, the position must be comfortable for you, as this is very personal. There are ergonomic keyboards that are specifically designed to improve comfort and reduce fatigue when typing for long periods. In addition, some keyboards have concave keys that guide the fingers naturally to the center of the keys, thus facilitating easier and faster typing.
Our recommendation of keyboards for MAC in order of price in 2024
Ewent EW3161
Being the most economical option in our recommendation, this ultra-thin keyboard is designed for comfortable typing without problems. It is a fairly basic keyboard in terms of features, but with its Bluetooth connection and low price it is impossible not to recommend it.
Royal Kludge RKR75
This keyboard is characterized by a 75% layout. It offers wired connectivity and 14 per-key RGB lighting modes. Plus, it features full anti-ghosting for better gaming performance, dual-foam shock absorbers, a knob selector, and adjustable stands for added comfort. It also includes a detachable USB-C cable and a dust cover.
Keychron K5 Pro
With a 100% design, it is a fully customizable and QMK/VIA compatible keyboard. It is built with the experience of all users in mind as it has an additional set of custom keys for Windows and MacOS systems. Additionally, its ultra-slim design along with the Gateron switch makes it one of the thinnest keyboards in the world, thus maintaining a distinctive tactile response.
Logitech MX Keys
This is a minimalist keyboard designed for productivity. It has a 100% layout with concave spherical keys with a backlight that makes them light up when detecting the proximity of your hands.
Keychron Q3 Knob
We are faced with a keyboard with a 75% fully customizable design. It features a double gasket design to significantly reduce sound and noise resonance. In addition, it incorporates a programmable knob designed to speed up work processes.
Keychron Q5 Pro
It is a wireless mechanical keyboard with 96% QMK/VIA compatible layout. Like the previous recommendation, it has a double gasket design and a programmable knob. In addition, the keys are KSA, that is, they make a slightly pronounced angle to make typing more comfortable.