Notice: Your browser is not supported or outdated so some features of the site might not be available.
Notice: Like what we do? We're currently hiring a Staff Writer for Computers. Join our team!
- Table of Contents
- Top
- Main Differences
- Design
- Typing Experience
- Performance
- Software and Operating System
- Comments
Apple Magic Keyboard 2017 vs Dream Machines DreamKey
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Apple Magic Keyboard 2017
Dream Machines DreamKey
Tested using Methodology v1.3.1
Updated Nov 27, 2023 05:17 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.0
Updated May 29, 2023 03:13 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
ConnectivityWireless
SizeCompact (75%)
Switch TypeScissor
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)No
Hot-Swappable SwitchesNo
ConnectivityWired
SizeFull-size (100%)
MechanicalYes
Variants
- Magic Keyboard (Silver)
- DreamKey (Black)
Our Verdict
Apple Magic Keyboard 2017
Dream Machines DreamKey
The Apple Magic Keyboard 2017 and the Dream Machine DreamKey are two very different keyboards designed for different uses. The Apple is a low-profile TKL board designed for office use with Apple-made products. It connects wirelessly with Bluetooth only, and it has white-only backlighting. The DreamKey is a full-size mechanical gaming keyboard that has macro-programmable keys, RGB backlighting, and it's wired-only.
Check Price
Silver
Magic Keyboard
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
DreamKey
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
DreamKey
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
DreamKey
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comBlack
DreamKey
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comBlack
DreamKey
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comBlack
DreamKey
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comBlack
DreamKey
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comBlack
DreamKey
SEE PRICE
B&HBlack
DreamKey
SEE PRICE
B&HBlack
DreamKey
SEARCH
Amazon.comBlack
DreamKey
SEARCH
Amazon.comBlack
DreamKey
SEARCH
Amazon.comBlack
DreamKey
SEARCH
Amazon.comBlack
DreamKey
SEARCH
Amazon.comBlack
DreamKey
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comBlack
DreamKey
SEARCH
B&HBlack
DreamKey
SEARCH
B&HBlack
DreamKey
SEARCH
B&HBlack
DreamKey
SEARCH
B&HBlack
DreamKey
SEARCH
B&HBlack
DreamKey
SEARCH
BestBuy.comBlack
DreamKey
SEARCH
BestBuy.comBlack
DreamKey
SEARCH
BestBuy.comBlack
DreamKey
SEARCH
BestBuy.comBlack
DreamKey
SEARCH
BestBuy.comBlack
DreamKey
SEARCH
Walmart.comBlack
DreamKey
SEARCH
Walmart.comBlack
DreamKey
SEARCH
Walmart.comNotice: Two or more of the products selected have been tested with different test methodologies, so some of the results below aren't directly comparable.
Learn how our test benches and scoring system work, and read more about the latest changes to our
keyboards test methodology.
Read more
Main Differences forGaming
Gaming
Threshold
Gaming
5.6
9.0
Backlight Features
0.0
9.6
Pre-Travel
0.9 mm
1.9 mm
Configuration Software
Operating Force
64 gf
50 gf
Windows
Partially Compatible
Full
Full Comparison
Design
Dimensions
Top Picture
Size
Compact (75%)
Full-size (100%)
Height
0.4" (1.1 cm)
1.5" (3.9 cm)
Width
11.0" (27.9 cm)
17.2" (43.7 cm)
Depth
4.5" (11.5 cm)
5.4" (13.7 cm)
Depth With Wrist Rest
N/A
N/A
Weight
0.51 lbs (0.230 kg)
2.70 lbs (1.224 kg)
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
Build Quality Close Up
Keycap Material
ABS
PBT
Ergonomics
7.0
6.5
Side Picture
Curved/Angled
No
Straight
Split Keyboard
No
Key Alignment
Staggered
Minimum Incline
2.8°
4°
Medium Incline
N/A
N/A
Maximum Incline
N/A
12.5°
Home Row Height
7.2 mm (0.3")
Wrist Rest
No
Hardware Customizability
0.0
Customizability Overview
Replaceable Cherry Stabilizers
No
Stabilizer Fixation
Non-Customizable Design
Spacebar Stabilizer Size
Non-Customizable Design
Size Of Right Mod Keys
Non-Standard
Hot-Swappable Switches
No
Switch Stem Shape
Non-Customizable Design
Switch PCB Socket
Non-Customizable Design
North-Facing Cherry MX Interference
Non-Customizable Design
Backlight Features
0.0
9.6
Backlighting Picture
Brightness Max
Backlighting
No
Yes
Brightness Min
White Shot
RGB
No
Per-Key Backlighting
No
Yes
Effects
No
Yes
Software Controllable
No
Yes
Color
RGB
Color Mixing
Poor
Backlight Clarity
0.0
White Shot
Cable & Connector
Connectivity
Wireless
Wired
Detachable
Yes (Wired Mode and Charge)
Yes (Wired Only Keyboard)
Length
3.3 ft (1.0 m)
5.8 ft (1.8 m)
Connector (Keyboard side)
Lightning
USB type-C
Wireless Versatility
7.5
0.0
Bluetooth
Yes
No
Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing
No
No
Proprietary Receiver
No
No
Battery Type
Rechargeable
No Batteries
Macro Keys And Programming
0.0
Dedicated Macro Keys Count
0
Onboard Macro Programming
No
Macro Programming With Software
No
Extra Features
Extra Features
Media Keys
Non-Dedicated
No
Trackpad / Trackball
No
No
Scroll Wheel
No
No
Control Knob
No
USB Passthrough
No
No
Numpad
No
Yes
Windows Key Lock
No
Yes
Lock Indicator
Caps Lock
Caps, Scroll & Num lock
Macro Programmable Keys
All
In The Box
Bundle Picture
Typing Experience
Typing Quality
7.5
8.0
Key Spacing
19.0 mm (0.748")
Typing Noise
9.9
9.0
Typing Sample
Average Loudness
36.8 dBA
High Pitch Clicks
No
Noise
Quiet
Switches
Wobble Video
Switch Name
No Marketed Name
Kailh Box Brown
Switch Type
Scissor
Feel
Tactile
Tactile
Analog
No
Keystrokes
Key Switch Actuation Graph
Key Switches
No Marketed Name
Kailh Box Brown
Mechanical
Yes
Feel
Tactile
Tactile
Operating Force
64 gf
50 gf
Actuation Force
35 gf
43 gf
Pre-Travel
0.9 mm
1.9 mm
Total Travel
1.0 mm
3.7 mm
Latency
6.9
6.9
Latency Video
Latency Wired
23.4 ms
16.8 ms
Latency Receiver
N/A
N/A
Latency Bluetooth
37.0 ms
N/A
Performance
Single-Key Latency
6.9
6.9
Single-Key Latency Graph
Best Connection
23.4 ms
Best Connection Std Dev
±2.2 ms
Wired
23.4 ms
16.8 ms
Receiver
N/A
N/A
Bluetooth
37.0 ms
N/A
PCB (Estimated)
23.1 ms
Multi-Key Latency
5.5
Latency Video
Multi-Key Latency Graph
Connection Evaluated
Bluetooth
Key Press
33.4 ms
Key Release
27.3 ms
Data Transmission
3.4
Multi-Key Raw USB
Connection Evaluated
Bluetooth
USB Polling Rate
1,000 Hz
Effective Update Rate
N/A
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)
No
Multiple Keys Per USB Report
No
Chord Split
5.7
Chord Split Graph
4 Chord Split Delay
11.8 ms
8 Chord Split Delay
N/A
Software and Operating System
Configuration Software
Software Picture
Software Tour
Software Name
No Software
Dream Machines DreamKey
Software Windows Compatible
No
Yes
Software macOS Compatible
No
No
Onboard Memory
No
Yes
Profiles
No Profile
6+
Account Required
No
Cloud Sync
No
Macro Programming
Software
Ease Of Use
Okay
Computer Compatibility
8.6
7.2
Windows
Partially Compatible
Full
macOS
Fully Compatible
Partial
Linux (Ubuntu 22)
Fully Compatible
Partial
Media Key Compatibility
MacOS & Linux
Android
Partially Compatible
No
iOS
Fully Compatible
No
iPadOS
Fully Compatible
No
Wireless Mobile Compatibility
9.2
Android
Partially Compatible
No
iOS
Fully Compatible
No
iPadOS
Fully Compatible
No
Media Key Compatibility
iPhone & iPad
Check Price
Silver
Magic Keyboard
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
DreamKey
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
DreamKey
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
DreamKey
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comBlack
DreamKey
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comBlack
DreamKey
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comBlack
DreamKey
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comBlack
DreamKey
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comBlack
DreamKey
SEE PRICE
B&HBlack
DreamKey
SEE PRICE
B&HBlack
DreamKey
SEARCH
Amazon.comBlack
DreamKey
SEARCH
Amazon.comBlack
DreamKey
SEARCH
Amazon.comBlack
DreamKey
SEARCH
Amazon.comBlack
DreamKey
SEARCH
Amazon.comBlack
DreamKey
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comBlack
DreamKey
SEARCH
B&HBlack
DreamKey
SEARCH
B&HBlack
DreamKey
SEARCH
B&HBlack
DreamKey
SEARCH
B&HBlack
DreamKey
SEARCH
B&HBlack
DreamKey
SEARCH
BestBuy.comBlack
DreamKey
SEARCH
BestBuy.comBlack
DreamKey
SEARCH
BestBuy.comBlack
DreamKey
SEARCH
BestBuy.comBlack
DreamKey
SEARCH
BestBuy.comBlack
DreamKey
SEARCH
Walmart.comBlack
DreamKey
SEARCH
Walmart.comBlack
DreamKey
SEARCH
Walmart.com
You have 9/10 free reviews left
To access
and
Become an Insider
unlimited full product reviews,
product prices
other exclusive site features
Apple Magic Keyboard 2017
Dream Machines DreamKey
Comments
Apple Magic Keyboard 2017 vs Dream Machines DreamKey: Main Discussion
What do you think of these products? Let us know below.
Looking for a personalized buying advice from the RTINGS.com experts? Insiders have direct access to buying advice on our insider forum.