APPLE Magic Keyboard Replacement
- Layout and Size: It adopts the popular 84-key layout used in the past two years, which is basically adding an extra column of cursor keys to the right side of the Magic Keyboard, making it practical without adding much length; it weighs about a hundred grams more than the Magic Keyboard and is two to three millimeters thicker, which is acceptable; the short edge is almost the same length, which is very beneficial for saving desktop space; it has a physical switch to switch between Windows and macOS key layouts.
- Material and Design: The top cover is made of metal, just like the Magic Keyboard, which is rare in low-priced OEM keyboards, instantly elevating the texture; the design is very restrained, except for an additional Huawei proprietary device pairing icon on the right Shift key, there is no unnecessary branding exposure.
- It claims to have a "high key travel" of 2.5mm. I don't value this parameter, nor do I expect a higher key travel to match the feel of a mechanical keyboard, but it's harmless.
- The battery is a generous 2200mAh, claiming to last for a year.
Looking at the pricing, new products on e-commerce platforms are generally around 250 yuan, which is already acceptable. But let's ceremoniously
go to the seafood market to explore... Sure enough, there are many "unboxed" international versions, with a standard American layout priced at 160-180 yuan. FWIW, many miscellaneous keyboards with a bunch of typos on their detail pages are selling for this price; let's not bother with those and go for this one. (Some channels sell European keyboard layouts, which are cheaper, but it's not necessary to complicate things, so be careful not to buy the wrong one if interested.)
The next day, it arrived, indeed in unboxed condition. As for the "high key travel" written in the product name, it definitely can't compare to a mechanical keyboard, but it does look "deeper" at first glance compared to the Magic Keyboard, and typing on it feels more energetic (but slightly soft). If there are any shortcomings, the top row of media keys is not quite consistent with the common Mac layout, and the functions are not fully compatible, for example, you can adjust the volume but not the brightness; however, with third-party software like BetterTouchTool for customization, this is not a big deal. Additionally, the setting of the key switch toggle occasionally malfunctions, reverting to the Windows layout, requiring a toggle back and forth to restore it.
And... I don't think there's a need for anything else, right? After all, a Bluetooth membrane keyboard is a category that is standard enough and boring enough, no negative reviews is a form of positive feedback; combined with the price, I am even willing to give a recommendation.