• Best Mechanical Keyboard For Mac

Mac keyboards have taken a huge hit lately as many of them are becoming faulty and nonfunctional. If that’s the case with your Mac, then read on for the best mac mechanical keyboard alternatives. If Mac keyboards are becoming faulty, why use them? Of software developers use Mac OS X and the vast majority of people in also use Macs exclusively.

So, while Mac users may be outnumbered, they’re often working very serious jobs that require serious hardware. The reason most designers and programmers use Macs is because of its good hardware and easy to use interface. That, coupled with its in-house software make it a great machine for certain uses. That’s why we set out to find the best mechanical keyboard for Macs. Comparison Table - Mac Keyboard Alternatives Keyboard Form Factor Switches Extras Price Full Cherry MX Brown, Blue - Two 3.0 USB ports - NKRO - Designed for Mac TKL ALPS technology - Contoured keys - Media keys - Detachable chord Full Quiet Matias - Contoured keys - Media keys - Quiet keys Full Cherry MX Brown -Mac layout keys - Aluminum face-plate - White LED backlight - Media keys Full Apple Keys - Rechargeable batteries - Wireless Bluetooth - 33 feet and warranty Before we dive deeper into each keyboard above, let’s start with why you may want a keyboard specific for Mac OS.

Differences Between Mac Keyboards and Regular Ones for Mac computers have some key differences from other standard keyboards. Some of the differences are superficial, such as using “Option” instead of “Alt”, and “Command” instead of the Windows logo key. The placement of these keys differ on the layout as well. If you like the Windows style keyboards over Mac, that this could be a huge deal for you. Some other key differences include –. Full-sized desktop Apple keyboards with a dedicated numpad have function keys that can range up to F15, F16, or F19.

Windows keyboards function keys only range from F1 – F12 regardless of. Apple keyboards have a “Clear” key instead of “Numlock”, which functions to remove highlighted text as well as some other special functions depending on the app. An “=” key on the numpad. A “fn” (function) key instead of an “Insert” key. This toggles the function keys to behave as normally do, and their special OS functions such as volume control, screen brightness, etc.

Apple keyboards typically have an “Eject” key for the disc drive. Most importantly, Mac keyboards aren’t mechanical which make them pretty bad for gaming and programming. Do You Need to Have a Mac Compatible Keyboard?

In short, any keyboard will work with a Mac, but the layout may not be the same a the one you’re used to. You can certainly get by on most tasks without a Mac-specific keyboard, but it doesn’t make much sense to own such a powerful and sophisticated machine only to hamper yourself with a mismatched mechanical keyboard. If you do feel like exploring other options, check out of the best mechanical keyboards (and pay particular attention to the “Best white MKs” section). Now that you know why you may want a mechanical keyboard specifically designed for a Mac, let’s take a deeper look at our list. Each keyboard in this list has some aspect designed specifically for Macs. Most notably, it is the keyboard layouts that will be different, to match Macs keyboard layout rather than the standard Windows one. Das Keyboard 4 Pro for Mac The Das Keyboard 4 Pro for Mac is easily your best option when you want to upgrade your Apple keyboard to a feature-rich, full-sized mechanical keyboard. This mechanical keyboard has the same level of quality you come to expect from your Apple products.

Das mechanical keyboards have amazing build quality with an aluminum top panel for a sturdy feel to withstand long nights of work. This mechanical keyboard has 2 built-in USB 3.0 ports, dedicated media control buttons with a volume knob, and Mac OS specific function keys.

Of course, it has the high-quality mechanical switches as well. The Das Pro is such a great keyboard it even made our. With more than 1,000 positive reviews on Amazon and entire threads dedicated to it on Reddit, its no doubt that the Das is the mac daddy of keyboards. Its easy to use dedicated media buttons and USB hubs are a few of my favorite features of this keyboard. Of the PC version, which showcases the Das Keyboard 4’s impressive quality. Matias Mini Tactile Pro for Mac If you’re looking for a compact mechanical keyboard for Mac, look no further. The Mini Tactile Pro for Mac is the best of mechanical keyboards for Mac.

It comes with sculpted/contoured keys, Mac OS specific keys like the “fn” key, and 3 USB 2.0 ports. The Matias Mini Tactile Pro also has a detachable USB cable, so you can more easily move it around. In addition, this keyboard has keys dedicated just for the Mac. Dedicated media buttons such as volume, iTunes, and brightness ensure a smooth experience. It also claims to have switches that were the same ones used in older models of Apple’s keyboards. That being said this keyboard isn’t much cheaper than the Das; so, I’d recommend this keyboard only if you like the TKL style of it more.

Be sure to take a look at the layout of this keyboard and ensure it will work well for your needs. Not having a numpad won’t be a big deal for some professions, but can be a huge drain on productivity for others.

Matias Quiet Pro for Mac Finally, if you like the Matias style of mechanical keyboards more than the Das, here’s a full-sized option from Matias. It comes with all the great features of the Matias Mini, including sculpted keys and 3 USB 2.0 ports. This keyboard is very similar in functionality to its TKL version. The major difference is that it has the numpad and that the switches are quiet. For those who are constantly typing around others, this could be an excellent option. Quiet but tactile are very popular choices these days. You should be able to find this keyboard $30 cheaper than the Das Keyboard Pro 4, so it’s a more frugal option as well.

Azio Mk Mac Azio recently released a new mechanical keyboard designed specifically for Macs, and it’s very similar to the. This keyboard has the full Mac layout and functions you’d expect, and the silver/white styling of it will be right at home with your other Mac products. The sleek Mac like design will fit in with all of your Mac gear. This mechanical board is an excellent buy if you’re looking for a nice minimalist design with a professional feel. What makes this keyboard stand out from the rest in this list is that it has white LED backlights. This is a very interesting option and for its low price I think that this keyboard is worth a shot. I’ve ordered this list on price but if it was based on my favorites this would easily be #2 (Das would be #1).

With sleek design, mac layout, and relatively low price, this is worthy of any Mac. Apple Magic Keyboard We decided to throw one keyboard on the list here that isn’t a mechanical keyboard, but has so many other great features it’s worth considering. The Apple Magic Keyboard is a that will pair automatically with your Mac. No dongles to plug-in or confusing setup process. Although not on the mechanical keyboards list, this Mac keyboard has excellent features and is compatible with just everyday work. If you’re looking at gaming, then I would suggest the other mechanical keyboards on this list and they can likely handle more force.

The battery is long lasting, and you’ll be able to go about a month between charges. You can plug the keyboard in via Lighting cable to use it as it charges even if the battery is completely dead.

The Magic Keyboard has a flatter key profile, which will save your wrist strain from being bent backwards as you type. That being said, it may not have that nice clicky sound you get from a nice cherry mechanical keyboard. If you’re looking for an exact replica of an Apple keyboard, then this would be your best bet with its thin keys, design, and overall layout. That being said, if you’re looking for tactility, mechanical keys are your priority. Also, if you’re a heavy typer or gamer, you may also want to check out the mechanical options. Conclusion Out of all the mechanical keyboards out there, I truly believe these are the best 6.

Their keyboard layout, style, quality, and functionality all match that of a standard Mac keyboard. If you’re looking for more tactility, switching to a mechanical version on this list is your best bet.

I especially recommend this for programmers or gamers, as typing hard on Mac’s standard keyboards can degrade them quickly. In addition, there have been many faulty keyboards on Mac’s laptops.

Apparently, a few crumb drops will render them useless. But that’s for another article. If you’re interested in other potential mac keyboards, we also have a list of that you might find match your Mac well. Have other suggestions or questions? Feel free to leave a comment below.

For Mac users with a requirement for a quiet mechanical keyboard, the Matias Quiet Pro is a very good choice. It’s at least as quiet as my Corsair Strafe RGB with the MX Silent switches, and the Matias has 3 USB ports to boot. It’s not backlighted, but it’s definitely a get-it-done keyboard with all the Mac stuff on it. What would I change? I’d add backlighting.

My Mac is my daily driver, and I spend many hours a day in front of it. The switches (please fact check me on this) are based on the old ALPS technology, and it works. I am 75 years old and I am about 75% computer illiterate, but I have a ton of transcribing which needs to be done. My old 1995 Mac stopped working in February, & now I have a 2 or 3-year-old Mac flat-screen. The Geek Garage here in Cheyenne, after three months, said they have been able to save my files on a thumb-drive, but she was unable to transfer them to my new(er) flat-screen, but she’s still working on getting the right connections. In the meantime, I need a keyboard & mouse. I looked at them in the Mac store here in Cheyenne, but I don’t like the flat keys.

I loved my old Apple keyboard. Is there a connection for between my old keyboard & my 2014 Mac, so I can use the old keyboard?

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Best Mechanical Keyboard For Mac

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This subreddit is not endorsed or sponsored by Apple Inc. I'll piggyback onto this comment and add that my experience with my Model S has been amazing. I don't have the newest model with the media controls and volume knob, so I can't comment on those functions; but the keyboard alone is worth the price of admission. I do quite a bit of programming and reviewing programs as well as a fair share of gaming, and my Model S has been rock solid throughout all of these activities. I know some people online said that the blue switches weren't good for gaming, but I have had 0 issues.

I can hold my own in Diamond league in StarCraft II, and can play fps games without any trouble as well. Though I wouldn't buy the 'mac' model they're offering. It has a few pre-assigned function keys, but it's the older model. If you're going to buy one, get the newer model that has USB 3.0 pass through and the volume knob. You can always reassign keys in OS X, there's nothing that is special about the 'mac' edition that the other's can't do just as well. I haven't used any others, but I'm going to be getting another model s when this one does in 50 years.

Edit: see my response below - tl;dr I have a weird version and didn't realise You can always reassign keys in OS X, there's nothing that is special about the 'mac' edition that the other's can't do just as well. I'm an owner of the Windows keyboard, a couple of years old now. I occasionally use it in OSX, and it has a couple of problems for that - there's no super key on the left side, and the function key is where I feel control should be. I haven't found a satisfactory rebinding, although mapping capslock to super works pretty well. Suspect the Mac keyboard would be genuinely better if you're only running OSX.

Apologies, only just got back to this. Super key Generic term for the Windows key, or Command key. I just did a bunch of Googling, and it looks like mine is an unusual design., versus - note there's no Windows key on the left side of mine. No idea why the different designs, I wasn't aware of them before. So it looks like my Windows keyboard is unusual, and most of them are 'normal' - your post applies to them (easy to remap stuff), whereas my weird one isn't as good for OSX (can't remap Fn to super). That's that cleared up.

Damn you, now I want this keyboard instead of my model S. I think it's worth noting that the model S's USB ports are on the right side, next to where non-lefties would have their mouse. It's the only major design flaw — I never understood why they couldn't be in the back — looks like the Das 4 solves that. Are the keys compatible with the S? If I'm going to drop that kind of money on a new keyboard I'd love to have proper cmd / option buttons. I know it doesn't matter much but I'm kind of OCD about details like that.

Tl;dr: With a little bit of tweaking, all keyboards are pretty much plug & play. Pick one that feels right to you. I use the previous version of this: It came with a tool I could use to physically swap the alt/option key and the CM key.

The CM key is an alternate cap to the Windows cap. After physically swapping the keys, I used OS X's built in key mapping to remap the keys to match the Apple keyboard. System Preferences Keyboard Modifier Keys. Bonus points: I also make the Caps Lock key act like a Command key (or Control on a Windows box). Having a Command/Control key in the Home Row to so much more useful than a Caps Lock key in the Home Row. I type for a living.

Here is the Amazon link for the exact board I use:. There's a few different styles of key switch, would you can read about. Or just scroll through and look at the pictures. There are also several reason why people prefer mechanical switches, the most distinctive being the feel of the switches and the sound they make. By feel, I mean the resistance you feel as you press the key.

They aren't squishy like rubber some keys. Some have a continuous resistance the whole way down, others have a certain point where they 'give' (and some behave in other ways, there are like 8 different mainstream options). They also last much longer than non mechanical keys.