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- Table of Contents
- Top
- Main Differences
- Design
- Typing Experience
- Performance
- Software and Operating System
- Comments
Apple Magic Keyboard 2017 vs Microsoft Surface Keyboard
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Apple Magic Keyboard 2017
Microsoft Surface Keyboard
Tested using Methodology v1.3.1
Updated Nov 27, 2023 05:17 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Jun 21, 2023 04:42 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
ConnectivityWireless
SizeCompact (75%)
Switch TypeScissor
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)No
Hot-Swappable SwitchesNo
ConnectivityWireless
SizeFull-size (100%)
Switch TypeScissor
Hot-Swappable SwitchesNo
Variants
- Magic Keyboard (Silver)
- Surface Keyboard (Gray)
Our Verdict
Apple Magic Keyboard 2017
Microsoft Surface Keyboard
The Microsoft Surface Keyboard and the Apple Magic Keyboard 2017 are very similar in build and features. The main differences are that the Apple keyboard has a built-in rechargeable battery, while the Microsoft uses disposable batteries. The Microsoft keyboard also offers somewhat better typing quality and has slightly longer pre-travel and total travel distances, which may help you make fewer unintentional keystrokes. The Microsoft is a full-size keyboard that includes a numpad, while the Apple is a compact 75% model. That said, the Apple keyboard also has a full-sized variant available.
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Silver
Magic Keyboard
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Surface Keyboard
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Magic Keyboard
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Surface Keyboard
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Magic Keyboard
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Surface Keyboard
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Magic Keyboard
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Surface Keyboard
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Magic Keyboard
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Surface Keyboard
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Finding storeNotice: 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.
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Main Differences forGaming
Gaming
Threshold
Gaming
5.6
6.7
Pre-Travel
0.9 mm
1.5 mm
Full Comparison
Design
Dimensions
Top Picture
Size
Compact (75%)
Full-size (100%)
Height
0.4" (1.1 cm)
0.7" (1.8 cm)
Width
11.0" (27.9 cm)
16.5" (42.0 cm)
Depth
4.5" (11.5 cm)
4.4" (11.2 cm)
Depth With Wrist Rest
N/A
N/A
Weight
0.51 lbs (0.230 kg)
0.88 lbs (0.400 kg)
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
Build Quality Close Up
Keycap Material
ABS
ABS
Ergonomics
7.0
7.0
Side Picture
Curved/Angled
No
No
Split Keyboard
No
No
Key Alignment
Staggered
Staggered
Minimum Incline
2.8°
5°
Medium Incline
N/A
N/A
Maximum Incline
N/A
N/A
Home Row Height
7.2 mm (0.3")
13.7 mm (0.5")
Hardware Customizability
0.0
0.0
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
0.0
Backlighting Picture
Brightness Max
Backlighting
No
No
Brightness Min
RGB
No
No
Per-Key Backlighting
No
No
Effects
No
No
Software Controllable
No
No
Backlight Clarity
0.0
0.0
White Shot
Cable & Connector
Connectivity
Wireless
Wireless
Detachable
Yes (Wired Mode and Charge)
No
Length
3.3 ft (1.0 m)
N/A
Connector (Keyboard side)
Lightning
No Cable
Wireless Versatility
7.5
7.3
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing
No
No
Proprietary Receiver
No
No
Battery Type
Rechargeable
2x AAA
Macro Keys And Programming
0.0
0.0
Dedicated Macro Keys Count
0
0
Onboard Macro Programming
No
No
Macro Programming With Software
No
No
Extra Features
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
No
Lock Indicator
Caps Lock
Caps, Scroll & Num lock
In The Box
Bundle Picture
Typing Experience
Typing Quality
7.5
8.0
Key Spacing
19.0 mm (0.748")
Typing Noise
9.9
9.7
Typing Sample
Average Loudness
36.8 dBA
38.7 dBA
High Pitch Clicks
No
No
Switches
Wobble Video
Switch Name
No Marketed Name
No Marketed Name
Switch Type
Scissor
Scissor
Feel
Tactile
Tactile
Analog
No
Keystrokes
Key Switch Actuation Graph
Operating Force
64 gf
63 gf
Actuation Force
35 gf
39 gf
Pre-Travel
0.9 mm
1.5 mm
Total Travel
1.0 mm
2.2 mm
Latency
6.9
6.4
Latency Video
Latency Wired
23.4 ms
N/A
Latency Receiver
N/A
N/A
Latency Bluetooth
37.0 ms
25.9 ms
Performance
Single-Key Latency
6.9
6.4
Single-Key Latency Graph
Best Connection
23.4 ms
Best Connection Std Dev
±2.2 ms
Wired
23.4 ms
N/A
Receiver
N/A
N/A
Bluetooth
37.0 ms
25.9 ms
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 Tour
Software Name
No Software
No Software
Software Windows Compatible
No
No
Software macOS Compatible
No
No
Onboard Memory
No
No
Profiles
No Profile
No Profile
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
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
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Silver
Magic Keyboard
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Surface Keyboard
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Finding storeSilver
Magic Keyboard
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Finding storeGray
Surface Keyboard
Searching
Finding storeSilver
Magic Keyboard
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Finding storeGray
Surface Keyboard
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Finding storeSilver
Magic Keyboard
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Surface Keyboard
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Magic Keyboard
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Finding storeGray
Surface Keyboard
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Finding store
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Apple Magic Keyboard 2017
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Comments
Apple Magic Keyboard 2017 vs Microsoft Surface Keyboard: Main Discussion
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