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- Table of Contents
- Top
- Main Differences
- Design
- Typing Experience
- Performance
- Software and Operating System
- Comments
Microsoft Surface Keyboard vs Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Microsoft Surface Keyboard
Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad
Tested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Jun 21, 2023 04:42 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.3.1
Updated Feb 09, 2024 02:00 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
ConnectivityWireless
SizeFull-size (100%)
Switch TypeScissor
Hot-Swappable SwitchesNo
ConnectivityWireless
SizeFull-size (100%)
Switch TypeScissor
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)No
Hot-Swappable SwitchesNo
Variants
- Surface Keyboard (Gray)
- Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad (Silver)
- Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad (Silver W/ Black Keys)
Our Verdict
Microsoft Surface Keyboard
Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad
The Microsoft Surface Keyboard and the Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad are both very good office keyboards with different purposes. The Microsoft is designed to work with Windows computers while the Apple is meant for Mac computers, specifically those with M1 chips. However, they both connect to any device via Bluetooth so you can use either with any operating system, but some keys don't work. The Apple has a rechargeable battery and the Microsoft uses disposable batteries. Other than that, they're very similar because they have great typing quality and decent ergonomics, but they each lack backlighting and customization features.
Notice: 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.
Main Differences for
Threshold
Gaming
6.7
5.2
Pre-Travel
1.5 mm
0.9 mm
Latency
6.4
7.4
Full Comparison
Design
Dimensions
Top Picture
Size
Full-size (100%)
Full-size (100%)
Height
0.7" (1.8 cm)
0.4" (1.1 cm)
Width
16.5" (42.0 cm)
16.5" (41.8 cm)
Depth
4.4" (11.2 cm)
4.5" (11.5 cm)
Depth With Wrist Rest
N/A
N/A
Weight
0.88 lbs (0.400 kg)
0.80 lbs (0.364 kg)
Build Quality
8.5
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
5°
2.8°
Medium Incline
N/A
N/A
Maximum Incline
N/A
N/A
Home Row Height
13.7 mm (0.5")
7.3 mm (0.3")
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
No
Yes (Wired Mode and Charge)
Length
N/A
3.4 ft (1.0 m)
Connector (Keyboard side)
No Cable
Lightning
Wireless Versatility
7.3
7.5
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing
No
No
Proprietary Receiver
No
No
Battery Type
2x AAA
Rechargeable
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
Yes
Yes
Windows Key Lock
No
No
Lock Indicator
Caps, Scroll & Num lock
Caps Lock
In The Box
Bundle Picture
Typing Experience
Typing Quality
8.0
8.0
Key Spacing
19.0 mm (0.748")
Typing Noise
9.7
9.8
Typing Sample
Average Loudness
38.7 dBA
37.8 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
63 gf
64 gf
Actuation Force
39 gf
32 gf
Pre-Travel
1.5 mm
0.9 mm
Total Travel
2.2 mm
1.3 mm
Latency
6.4
7.4
Latency Video
Latency Wired
N/A
17.4 ms
Latency Receiver
N/A
N/A
Latency Bluetooth
25.9 ms
38.4 ms
Performance
Single-Key Latency
6.4
7.4
Single-Key Latency Graph
Best Connection
17.4 ms
Best Connection Std Dev
±2.3 ms
Wired
N/A
17.4 ms
Receiver
N/A
N/A
Bluetooth
25.9 ms
38.4 ms
PCB (Estimated)
38.0 ms
Multi-Key Latency
4.0
Latency Video
Multi-Key Latency Graph
Connection Evaluated
Bluetooth
Key Press
46.3 ms
Key Release
41.0 ms
Data Transmission
3.0
Multi-Key Raw USB
Connection Evaluated
Bluetooth
USB Polling Rate
N/A
Effective Update Rate
67 Hz
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)
No
Multiple Keys Per USB Report
Yes
Chord Split
3.3
Chord Split Graph
4 Chord Split Delay
30.0 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
10
8.6
Windows
Fully Compatible
Partially Compatible
macOS
Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible
Linux (Ubuntu 22)
Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible
Media Key Compatibility
Windows, MacOS & Linux
MacOS & Linux
Wireless Mobile Compatibility
10
9.2
Android
Fully Compatible
Partially Compatible
iOS
Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible
iPadOS
Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible
Media Key Compatibility
Android, iPhone & iPad
iPhone & iPad
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Microsoft Surface Keyboard
Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad
Comments
Microsoft Surface Keyboard vs Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad: Main Discussion
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