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  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Dimensions
    2. Build Quality
    3. Ergonomics
    4. Hardware Customizability
    5. Backlight Features
    6. Backlight Clarity
    7. Cable & Connector
    8. Wireless Versatility
    9. Macro Keys And Programming
    10. Extra Features
    11. In The Box
  5. Typing Experience
    1. Typing Quality
    2. Typing Noise
    3. Switches
    4. Keystrokes
  6. Performance
    1. Single-Key Latency
    2. Multi-Key Latency
    3. Data Transmission
    4. Chord Split
  7. Software and Operating System
    1. Configuration Software
    2. Computer Compatibility
    3. Wireless Mobile Compatibility
  8. Comments

Apple Magic Keyboard 2017 vs Logitech MX Keys

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Apple Magic Keyboard 2017
Logitech MX Keys

Tested using Methodology v1.3.1

Updated Nov 27, 2023 05:17 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.3.1

Updated Nov 27, 2023 05:24 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Apple Magic Keyboard 2017 Picture
Logitech MX Keys Picture

Variants

  • Magic Keyboard (Silver)
  • MX Keys (Black (Multi-OS))
  • MX Keys (Graphite (Multi-OS))
  • MX Keys (Space Grey (Mac OS))

Our Verdict

Apple Magic Keyboard 2017

Logitech MX Keys

The Apple Magic Keyboard 2017 and the Logitech MX Keys are both good, low-profile, wireless office keyboards. The Logitech has a multi-device pairing feature, while the Apple can only connect to one device at a time. The Logitech also has backlighting and software for customization. The Apple feels sturdier, but the typing quality also feels better on the Logitech as the Apple requires a bit more force to operate the keys. The Apple is a compact 75% model, but there's also a full-sized model available. On the other hand, the Logitech is full-sized, but there's also a compact 75% model, the Logitech MX Keys Mini.

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Silver
Magic Keyboard
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Black (Multi-OS)
MX Keys
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Silver
Magic Keyboard
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Graphite (Multi-OS)
MX Keys
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Silver
Magic Keyboard
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Space Grey (Mac OS)
MX Keys
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Silver
Magic Keyboard
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Silver
Magic Keyboard
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Main Differences for

Threshold 

0.10

Gaming 

5.6
6.4

Backlight Features 
 

0.0
7.5

Chord Split 
 

5.7
1.5

Backlight Clarity 
 

0.0
8.0

Single-Key Latency 
 

6.9
5.8

Data Transmission 
 

3.4
5.3

Build Quality 
 

9.0
8.0

Multi-Key Latency 
 

5.5
6.2

Full Comparison

Design

Dimensions 
 

Top Picture  

Apple Magic Keyboard 2017 Top Picture
Logitech MX Keys Top Picture

Size 
 

Compact (75%)
Full-size (100%)

Height 
 

0.4" (1.1 cm)
0.8" (2.0 cm)

Width  

11.0" (27.9 cm)
16.9" (43.0 cm)

Depth 
 

4.5" (11.5 cm)
5.2" (13.2 cm)

Depth With Wrist Rest 
 

N/A
N/A

Weight 
 

0.51 lbs (0.230 kg)
1.77 lbs (0.805 kg)

Show text

Build Quality 
 

9.0
8.0

Build Quality Close Up  

Apple Magic Keyboard 2017 Build Quality Close Up
Logitech MX Keys Build Quality Close Up

Keycap Material  

ABS
ABS

Show text

Ergonomics 
 

7.0
7.0

Side Picture  

Apple Magic Keyboard 2017 Side Picture
Logitech MX Keys Side Picture

Curved/Angled 
 

No
No

Split Keyboard 
 

No
No

Key Alignment 
 

Staggered
Staggered

Minimum Incline 
 

2.8°
5.8°

Medium Incline 
 

N/A
N/A

Maximum Incline 
 

N/A
N/A

Home Row Height 
 

7.2 mm (0.3")
13.1 mm (0.5")

Show text

Hardware Customizability 
 

0.0
0.0

Customizability Overview  

Apple Magic Keyboard 2017 Customizability Overview
Logitech MX Keys Customizability Overview

Replaceable Cherry Stabilizers 
 

No
No

Stabilizer Fixation 
 

Non-Customizable Design
Non-Customizable Design

Spacebar Stabilizer Size 
 

Non-Customizable Design
Non-Customizable Design

Size Of Right Mod Keys 
 

Non-Standard
Non-Standard

Hot-Swappable Switches 
 

No
No

Switch Stem Shape 
 

Non-Customizable Design
Non-Customizable Design

Switch PCB Socket 
 

Non-Customizable Design
Non-Customizable Design

North-Facing Cherry MX Interference 
 

Non-Customizable Design
Non-Customizable Design

Backlight Features 
 

0.0
7.5

Backlighting Picture  

Apple Magic Keyboard 2017 Backlighting Picture
Logitech MX Keys Backlighting Picture

Brightness Max  

Apple Magic Keyboard 2017 Brightness Max
Logitech MX Keys Brightness Max

Backlighting  

No
Yes

Brightness Min  

Apple Magic Keyboard 2017 Brightness Min
Logitech MX Keys Brightness Min

RGB 
 

No
No

Per-Key Backlighting 
 

No
Yes

Effects 
 

No
No

Software Controllable 
 

No
Yes

Show text

Backlight Clarity 
 

0.0
8.0

White Shot  

Apple Magic Keyboard 2017 White Shot
Logitech MX Keys White Shot

Show text

Cable & Connector  

Connectivity  

Wireless
Wireless

Detachable 
 

Yes (Wired Mode and Charge)
Yes (Charge Only)

Length  

3.3 ft (1.0 m)
4.4 ft (1.3 m)

Connector (Keyboard side) 
 

Lightning
USB type-C

Show text

Wireless Versatility 
 

7.5
10

Bluetooth 
 

Yes
Yes

Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing 
 

No
3

Proprietary Receiver 
 

No
Yes

Battery Type 
 

Rechargeable
Rechargeable

Show text

Macro Keys And Programming 
 

0.0
4.0

Dedicated Macro Keys Count  

0
0

Onboard Macro Programming 
 

No
No

Macro Programming With Software 
 

No
Yes

Show text

Extra Features 
 

Extra Features  

Apple Magic Keyboard 2017 Extra Features
Logitech MX Keys Extra Features

Media Keys 
 

Non-Dedicated
Non-Dedicated

Trackpad / Trackball  

No
No

Scroll Wheel 
 

No
No

Control Knob 
 

No
No

USB Passthrough 
 

No
No

Numpad  

No
Yes

Windows Key Lock 
 

No
Yes

Lock Indicator  

Caps Lock
Caps Lock

Show text

In The Box  

Bundle Picture  

Apple Magic Keyboard 2017 Bundle Picture
Logitech MX Keys Bundle Picture

Show text

Typing Experience

Typing Quality 
 

7.5
8.0

Key Spacing 
 

19.0 mm (0.748")
19.0 mm (0.748")

Show text

Typing Noise 
 

9.9
9.6

Typing Sample  

Average Loudness 
 

36.8 dBA
40.2 dBA

High Pitch Clicks 
 

No
No

Show text

Switches 
 

Wobble Video  

Switch Name 
 

No Marketed Name
No Marketed Name

Switch Type 
 

Scissor
Scissor

Feel 
 

Tactile
Tactile

Analog 
 

No
No

Keystrokes 
 

Key Switch Actuation Graph  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Operating Force 
 

64 gf
61 gf

Actuation Force 
 

35 gf
36 gf

Pre-Travel 
 

0.9 mm
1.3 mm

Total Travel 
 

1.0 mm
1.9 mm

Show text

Performance

Single-Key Latency 
 

6.9
5.8

Single-Key Latency Graph  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Best Connection 
 

23.4 ms
21.7 ms

Best Connection Std Dev  

±2.2 ms
±7.9 ms

Wired 
 

23.4 ms
N/A

Receiver 
 

N/A
26.8 ms

Bluetooth 
 

37.0 ms
21.7 ms

PCB (Estimated) 
 

23.1 ms
20.8 ms

Show text

Multi-Key Latency 
 

5.5
6.2

Latency Video  

Multi-Key Latency Graph  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Connection Evaluated  

Bluetooth
Receiver

Key Press 
 

33.4 ms
22.7 ms

Key Release 
 

27.3 ms
43.1 ms

Show text

Data Transmission 
 

3.4
5.3

Multi-Key Raw USB  

Apple Magic Keyboard 2017 Multi-Key Raw USB
Logitech MX Keys Multi-Key Raw USB

Connection Evaluated  

Bluetooth
Receiver

USB Polling Rate 
 

1,000 Hz
500 Hz

Effective Update Rate 
 

N/A
125 Hz

N-Key Rollover (NKRO) 
 

No
No

Multiple Keys Per USB Report 
 

No
No

Show text

Chord Split 
 

5.7
1.5

Chord Split Graph  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

4 Chord Split Delay 
 

11.8 ms
60.3 ms

8 Chord Split Delay 
 

N/A
N/A

Show text

Software and Operating System

Configuration Software 
 

Software Tour  

Software Name  

No Software
Logi Options+

Software Windows Compatible 
 

No
Yes

Software macOS Compatible 
 

No
Yes

Onboard Memory 
 

No
No

Profiles 
 

No Profile
6+

Show text

Computer Compatibility 
 

8.6
10

Windows 
 

Partially Compatible
Fully Compatible

macOS 
 

Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible

Linux (Ubuntu 22) 
 

Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible

Media Key Compatibility 
 

MacOS & Linux
Windows, MacOS & Linux

Show text

Wireless Mobile Compatibility 
 

9.2
10

Android 
 

Partially Compatible
Fully Compatible

iOS 
 

Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible

iPadOS 
 

Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible

Media Key Compatibility 
 

iPhone & iPad
Android, iPhone & iPad

Show text

Check Price

Silver
Magic Keyboard
Searching
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Black (Multi-OS)
MX Keys
Searching
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Silver
Magic Keyboard
Searching
Finding store
Graphite (Multi-OS)
MX Keys
Searching
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Silver
Magic Keyboard
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Space Grey (Mac OS)
MX Keys
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Silver
Magic Keyboard
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Silver
Magic Keyboard
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Apple Magic Keyboard 2017

Logitech MX Keys

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Apple Magic Keyboard 2017 vs Logitech MX Keys: Main Discussion

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