Magic Keyboard (Mac)

Last updated
Magic Keyboard
Magic Keyboard Black and Touch ID model.jpg
Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad (Space Gray with black keys)
Developer Apple Inc.
Manufacturer Foxconn (contract manufacturer)
Type Bluetooth and USB keyboard
Release dateOriginal:
October 13, 2015;9 years ago (2015-10-13)
With Numeric Keypad:
June 5, 2017;7 years ago (2017-06-05)
2021 revisions:
May 21, 2021;3 years ago (2021-05-21)
InputQWERTY keyboard
Connectivity Bluetooth 3.0+EDR
Lightning port (before October 28, 2024), USB-C port (after October 28, 2024)
PowerRecyclable rechargeable Li-Po Battery (2980 mAh)
Platform Bluetooth-enabled Mac computer with OS X 10.11 or later and iOS devices with iOS 9.1 or later
DimensionsMagic Keyboard:
0.16–0.43 inch (0.41–1.09 cm) x 10.98 inches (27.9 cm) x 4.52 inches (11.49 cm)
Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad:
0.16–0.43 inch (0.41–1.09 cm) x 16.48 inches (41.86 cm) x 4.52 inches (11.49 cm) (H x W x D)
MassMagic Keyboard:
0.51 pound (0.231 kg)
Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad:
0.86 pound (0.39 kg)
Predecessor Apple Wireless Keyboard
Related Magic Mouse 2
Magic Trackpad 2
Website https://www.apple.com/shop/mac/accessories/mice-keyboards

The Magic Keyboard is a family of wireless computer keyboards manufactured by Foxconn under contract for Apple Inc. The keyboards are bundled with the iMac and Mac Pro, and also sold as standalone accessories. They replaced the Apple Wireless Keyboard product line. Each Magic Keyboard model combination has a compact or full-size key layout for a specific region, a function key or Touch ID sensor next to F12, and color scheme variant.

Contents

Apple also refers to the internal keyboards in MacBooks released after November 2019 as the Magic Keyboard, which uses an identical scissor-mechanism with slightly shallower keys. [1]

Features

First generation

The eject key, a distinctive feature of the first generation Magic Keyboard Mostly useless eject key on 2020 MLA22LL-A US Magic Keyboard.jpg
The eject key, a distinctive feature of the first generation Magic Keyboard

The original Magic Keyboard design was available in two models:

This keyboard's design was similar to its predecessor, but had a lower profile. Apple re-engineered the scissor mechanism to increase key stability by 33 percent and reduce key travel. Typeface on the keys was also changed, from VAG Rounded to San Francisco (SF Compact).

It had a sealed non-replaceable rechargeable Lithium-ion battery which is charged via a Lightning port on the rear of the keyboard. The rechargeable battery can generally last up-to one month between charges. If connected to a computer using a USB to Lightning cable, it functions as a wired keyboard, not needing the Bluetooth connection. It used an ST Microelectronics STM32F103VB 72 MHz 32-bit RISC ARM Cortex-M3 processor and included the Broadcom BCM20733 Enhanced Data Rate Bluetooth 3.0 Single-Chip Solution.

It was compatible with Macs running OS X El Capitan and later, iPhones and iPads running iOS 9 or later, and TVs running Apple TV Software 7.0 or tvOS 10 or later.

Release

The Magic Keyboard (A1644) was released alongside the Magic Mouse 2 and the Magic Trackpad 2 in October 2015.

On June 5, 2017, Apple released the Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad (A1843) to replace the wired Apple Keyboard which was discontinued that day. It was longer, and had an extended key layout with a numeric keypad and a different arrow key arrangement. At the same time, the Magic Keyboard without the numeric keypad (A1644) received a minor visual update with new Control and Option key symbols.

A space gray Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad with black keys was bundled with the iMac Pro [3] and later made available for standalone purchase. [4]

A version in a silver finish with black keys was bundled with the 2019 Mac Pro, though never available as standalone purchase. [5]

Second generation

An updated Magic Keyboard design introduced in 2021 includes asymmetric corner keys, eject key assigned to Sleep, fn key assigned to Input Source, and F4-F6 function keys reassigned to Spotlight, Dictation/Siri, and Do Not Disturb. Using this new design, two additional model options also include Touch ID sensors in place of the eject key. This update also discontinued the space gray Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad. The updated keyboard models include:

The keyboards that have Touch ID sensors can scan the user's fingerprint to unlock Mac models that use Apple M-series chips. [9] [10] Keyboards that come bundled with the iMac M1 also have a color-matched aluminum finish.

The Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad (A2520) was available initially only in silver with white keys. On March 8, 2022, a version with black keys was introduced alongside the launch of the Mac Studio. [11]

The charging port was changed to USB-C in November 2024. [12]

Layout

Magic Keyboard with Touch ID for Mac models with Apple silicon - Swiss.jpg

iPad version

In March 2020, Apple announced a Magic Keyboard with integrated trackpad for 2018 and newer iPad Pros with trackpad support which connects through Smart Connector. [13] It also supports the iPad Air released later that year. [14]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Touchpad</span> Type of pointing device

A touchpad or trackpad is a type of pointing device. Its largest component is a tactile sensor: an electronic device with a flat surface, that detects the motion and position of a user's fingers, and translates them to 2D motion, to control a pointer in a graphical user interface on a computer screen. Touchpads are common on laptop computers, contrasted with desktop computers, where mice are more prevalent. Trackpads are sometimes used on desktops, where desk space is scarce. Because trackpads can be made small, they can be found on personal digital assistants (PDAs) and some portable media players. Wireless touchpads are also available, as detached accessories.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VoiceOver</span> Screen reader developed by Apple

VoiceOver is a screen reader built into Apple Inc.'s macOS, iOS, tvOS, watchOS, and iPod operating systems. By using VoiceOver, the user can access their Macintosh or iOS device based on spoken descriptions and, in the case of the Mac, the keyboard. The feature is designed to increase accessibility for blind and low-vision users, as well as for users with dyslexia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apple keyboards</span> External computer keyboards developed by Apple Inc.

Apple Inc. has designed and developed many external keyboard models for use with families of Apple computers, such as the Apple II, Mac, and iPad. The Magic Keyboard and Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad designed to be used via either Bluetooth and USB connectivity, and have integrated rechargeable batteries; The Smart Keyboard and Magic Keyboard accessories for iPads are designed to be directly attached to and powered by a host iPad. All current Apple keyboards utilize low-profile key designs, and common modifier keys.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apple Wireless Keyboard</span> Wireless keyboards made by Apple Inc.

The Apple Wireless Keyboard is a wireless keyboard built for Macintosh computers and compatible with iOS devices. It interacts over Bluetooth wireless technology and unlike its wired version, it has no USB connectors or ports. Both generations have low-power features when not in use. It was discontinued on October 13, 2015, and was succeeded by the new Magic Keyboard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MacBook Pro</span> Line of notebook computer

The MacBook Pro is a line of Mac laptop computers developed and manufactured by Apple. Introduced in January 2006, it is the high-end sibling of the MacBook family, sitting above the ultra-portable MacBook Air and previously the low-end MacBook. It is currently sold with 14-inch and 16-inch screens, all using Apple M-series chips. Before Apple silicon, the MacBook Pro used Intel chips, and was the first laptop made by Apple to do so, replacing the earlier PowerBook. It was also the first Apple laptop to carry the MacBook moniker.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MacBook Air</span> Line of ultraportable notebook computers by Apple

The MacBook Air is a line of laptop computers developed and manufactured by Apple since 2008. It features a thin, light structure in a machined aluminum case and currently either a 13-inch or 15-inch screen. The MacBook Air's lower prices relative to the larger, higher performance MacBook Pro have made it Apple's entry-level notebook since the discontinuation of the original MacBook line in 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MacBook</span> Line of laptop computers by Apple

MacBook is a brand of Mac notebook computers developed and marketed by Apple that use Apple's macOS operating system since 2006. The MacBook brand replaced the PowerBook and iBook brands during the Mac transition to Intel processors, announced in 2005. The current lineup consists of the MacBook Air (2008–present) and the MacBook Pro (2006–present). Two different lines simply named "MacBook" existed from 2006 to 2012 and 2015 to 2019. The MacBook brand was the "world's top-selling line of premium laptops" as of 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apple pointing devices</span> Computer pointing devices made by Apple

Apple Inc. has designed and manufactured several models of mice, trackpads, and other pointing devices, primarily for use with Macintosh computers. Over the years, Apple has maintained a distinct form and function with its mice that reflect their design languages of that time. Apple's current external pointing devices are the Magic Mouse 2 and Magic Trackpad 2.

FingerWorks was a gesture recognition company based in the United States, known mainly for its TouchStream multi-touch keyboard. Founded by John Elias and Wayne Westerman of the University of Delaware in 1998, it produced a line of multi-touch products including the iGesture Pad and the TouchStream keyboard, which were particularly helpful for people suffering from RSI and other medical conditions. The keyboards became the basis for the iPhone's touchscreen when the company's assets were acquired by Apple Inc. in early 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mac (computer)</span> Family of personal computers made by Apple

Mac, short for Macintosh, is a family of personal computers designed and marketed by Apple. The name Macintosh is a reference to a type of apple called McIntosh. The product lineup includes the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro laptops, and the iMac, Mac Mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro desktops. Macs are sold with the macOS operating system; the latest release is macOS 15 Sequoia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Magic Mouse</span> Computer mice developed and released by Apple Inc.

The Magic Mouse is a multi-touch wireless mouse sold by Apple Inc. and manufactured by Foxconn. The first-generation Magic Mouse was released on October 20, 2009, and introduced multi-touch functionality to a computer mouse. Taking after the iPhone, iPod Touch, and multi-touch MacBook trackpads, the Magic Mouse allows the use of multi-touch gestures and inertia scrolling across the surface of the mouse, designed for use with macOS.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Magic Trackpad</span> Pointing device by Apple

The Magic Trackpad is a multi-touch and force touch trackpad produced by Apple Inc. The first generation version was released on July 27, 2010, and featured a trackpad 80% larger than the built-in trackpad found on the then-current MacBook family of laptops. A redesigned second generation version, initially marketed as Magic Trackpad 2, was released on October 13, 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lightning (connector)</span> Proprietary computer bus and power connector by Apple Inc.

Lightning is a proprietary computer bus and power connector, created and designed by Apple Inc. It was introduced on September 12, 2012, in conjunction with the iPhone 5, to replace its predecessor, the 30-pin dock connector. The Lightning connector is used to connect Apple mobile devices like iPhones, iPads, and iPods to host computers, external monitors, cameras, USB battery chargers, and other peripherals. Using 8 pins instead of 30, Lightning is much smaller than its predecessor. The Lightning connector is reversible. The plug is indented on each side to match up with corresponding points inside the receptacle to retain the connection.

iPad Pro Line of Apple tablet computers (2015–present)

The iPad Pro is a series of tablet computers, positioned as a premium model line of Apple's iPad brand. It runs iPadOS, a tablet-optimized fork of the iOS operating system.

iPadOS 13 2019 tablet operating system by Apple Inc.

iPadOS 13 is the first major release of the iPadOS mobile operating system developed by Apple Inc. for their iPad line of tablet computers. The successor to iOS 12 on those devices, it was announced at the company's 2019 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 3, 2019, as a derivation from iOS, with a greater emphasis on multitasking and tablet-centric features. It was released on September 24, 2019. It was succeeded by iPadOS 14, released on September 16, 2020.

iPadOS is a mobile operating system for tablet computers developed by Apple Inc. It was first released as a modification of iOS starting with version 13.1 on September 24, 2019. Before the release of iPadOS, iPads were released with iPhone OS, which was later renamed to iOS. New iPadOS versions are released every year mostly in sync with iOS, tvOS, and watchOS.

iPad Pro (4th generation) Tablet computer developed by Apple (2020–2021)

The fourth-generation iPad Pro is a line of tablet computers developed and marketed by Apple Inc. Two models, with an 11 inch or 12.9 inch screen, were both announced on March 18, 2020, and released on March 25, 2020.

iMac (Apple silicon) All-in-one desktop computer designed and built by Apple Inc.

The iMac with Apple silicon is a line of all-in-one desktop Macs made by Apple Inc. since 2021. The first major redesign of the iMac line since 2012, the case and internals were redesigned to use Apple's custom processors, starting with the M1 system on a chip. The Apple silicon iMac features a 24-inch screen in a thin aluminum enclosure, elevated off the resting surface by a foot, and comes in seven colors.

iPad Pro (5th generation) 2021 Apple tablet computers

The fifth-generation iPad Pro, colloquially known as the M1iPad Pro, is a line of iPad tablet computers developed and marketed by Apple Inc. It was announced on April 20, 2021, and was available in 11-inch (28 cm) and 12.9-inch (33 cm) screen size options, which are the same as its predecessor, the iPad Pro. Preorders began on April 30, 2021, and the product was released worldwide on May 21, 2021. It comes in two colors: Silver and Space Gray.

iPad Pro (6th generation) 2022 Apple tablet computer

The sixth-generation iPad Pro is a line of iPad tablet computers developed and marketed by Apple Inc. It was announced on October 18, 2022, and was released on October 26, 2022. It is available with the same screen size options as its predecessor: 11-inch and 12.9-inch.

References

  1. "MacBook Pro 16" 2019 Teardown". iFixit. 2019-11-18. Retrieved 2019-12-15.
  2. "A1843 Wireless Keyboard Cover Letter Cover Letter Apple". FCC ID. Retrieved 2021-08-04.
  3. "Space Gray Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse, and Magic Trackpad Are Currently Sold With iMac Pro Only". MacRumors . 2017-12-14.
  4. "Apple Now Selling Standalone Space Gray Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse 2, and Magic Trackpad 2". MacRumors . 2018-03-27.
  5. Potuck, Michael (2019-12-10). "New black and silver Magic Keyboard and Mouse only coming with Mac Pro, at least for now". 9to5Mac. Retrieved 2022-05-19.
  6. "A2449 Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID Cover Letter Cover Letter for BCGA2449v1.1 Apple". FCC ID. Archived from the original on August 4, 2021. Retrieved 2021-08-04.
  7. "A2450 Apple Magic Keyboard Cover Letter Cover Letter for BCGA2449v1.1 Apple". FCC ID. Archived from the original on August 4, 2021. Retrieved 2021-08-04.
  8. "A2520 Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad Cover Letter Cover Letter for BCGA2520v1.1 Apple ". FCC ID. Archived from the original on August 4, 2021. Retrieved 2021-08-04.
  9. "Apple brings Touch ID to the Magic Keyboard". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2021-04-22.
  10. "Magic Keyboard With Touch ID Compatible With All M1 Macs, But Only Sold With iMac For Now". MacRumors. Retrieved 2021-04-22.
  11. "Apple Releases Black and Silver Magic Keyboard With Touch ID, Magic Trackpad, and Magic Mouse". MacRumors. Retrieved 2023-01-26.
  12. "Apple Updates Magic Mouse, Magic Keyboard, and Magic Trackpad With USB-C Ports". MacRumors. 2024-10-28. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  13. "Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro 11‑inch (2nd generation) - US English". Apple. Retrieved 2020-03-18.
  14. "Apple unveils all-new iPad Air with A14 Bionic, Apple's most advanced chip - Apple". Apple. Retrieved 2020-09-25.