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AI-generated summary
Logitech released its MX range a while back. Until now, the company didn’t bother putting out a Mac-specific line or a Windows one. The result was a slab of hieroglyphics mixing Mac and Windows symbols.
That’s ancient history now — at least for Mac users. They get a keyboard and mouse tailored to their environment.
The MX Keys “for Mac” keyboard
As I was saying, the MX Keys is now adapted for Mac users and only shows Mac-specific symbols. Gone is the Windows key — hello Command.
The benefit is an ergonomic feel similar to Apple’s own keyboards.
To put it briefly, this keyboard is gorgeous. It oozes quality, and the price reflects that — though it’s still €50 cheaper than the equivalent Magic Keyboard with a number pad. Speaking of which, why not offer a version without it? The amount of space wasted by that number pad is staggering, and it forces right-handed users to shift their typing left or end up with their mouse miles away.
Back to the quality of the keyboard — I’m a big fan of how quiet it is, and the MX Keys has won me over completely. It’s genuinely silent, reminding me of the keyboards on the 2020 MacBook lineup. The key press is firm, just right in my opinion — not quite as firm as the Apple Magic Keyboard, but hard to put into words, so I’d really encourage you to try it.
I’m not a fan of the concave key design, but I have to admit it adds precision to your typing — you instantly know whether you’re on the right key. If you feel you’re not in the dip, you reposition your finger. Not a bad idea.
The function keys are customizable via Logitech Options software. I love the calculator key — it sounds silly, but it’s incredibly useful to pull up the calculator instantly.
The backlight is a nice bonus. I’m curious how their proximity sensor works — the one that only lights up the keyboard when your hands are above it. It’s magic! Honestly, though, I disabled the backlight to preserve battery life.
The keyboard charges via USB-C, just like the MX Master, which means almost no Lightning cables left on my desk since I charge my iPhone and AirPods wirelessly. One less connector to deal with!
In short, aside from the keyboard being too wide — and again, there’s no alternative — I highly recommend trying it (which means buying it). Apple stubbornly prioritizes design over ergonomics for its accessories, when it should really be the other way around for this kind of peripheral.
The MX Master 3 mouse
I love Apple’s Trackpad for all the gestures you can set up once you pair it with BetterTouchTool , which is why I struggled to let it go. That said, Apple’s Trackpad is anti-ergonomic on a desk — my hand is always hovering slightly above it, which isn’t comfortable compared to a mouse where your hand actually rests.
The Mac version of the MX Master doesn’t bring much that’s new:
- it has a new colorway with a grey trim reminiscent of MacBook Space Grey
- it no longer comes with the USB adapter, which can’t connect to new Macs anyway since they’re all USB-C
- the charging cable is now USB-C to USB-C — goodbye USB-A
I noticed that unlike a regular MX Master, the default gestures are recognized out of the box. For example, clicking the thumb button launches Exposé. This might be a bug from having previously owned an MX Master 3, even though I had fully uninstalled everything. Either way, it’s good news if it works without any special software — staying true to the Apple “Keep it Simple” philosophy.
In terms of feel, I find the mouse more precise, though I’m not sure since I’d need to compare it side by side with the regular MX Master — which I no longer have. With the standard version, I’d often miss the target by a little; with this one, I nail it every time.
I’d still recommend installing Logitech Logi Options software, which lets you configure your mouse exactly how you want it. I particularly like being able to change the behavior when you hold the thumb button and move the mouse at the same time.
As for battery life, nothing to complain about — this mouse does its job, and you know what? When you plug it in, you can still use it!!
Conclusion
The Mac MX Master doesn’t offer much over the standard version. Unless you have money to burn or someone to swap with, if you’re on a Mac, the upgrade isn’t necessary.
The keyboard, on the other hand — I had delayed my purchase because of the keys packed with too much information. Now that it’s Mac-dedicated, I can only encourage you to go for it. It’s the best Mac keyboard available. Until Apple brings its external keyboards up to par with the keyboards on its laptops, you’ll have to look elsewhere to get so much as a backlit external keyboard. Even the keyboard for iPad does better than the desktop lineup…
The day Apple releases a keyboard with a Touch Bar, I’ll switch again — but that doesn’t seem to be on the cards. In the meantime, thank you, Logitech.
