# Apple Magic Keyboard 35 Hacker News commenters recommended Apple Magic Keyboard and 25 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 10 of 13 months. **Verdict:** Recommended for very short travel, light actuation and comfortable typing, and for Touch ID on some models. Critics mainly point to its high price. ## Why people recommend it - Short travel and light actuation (4 comments): "The Apple magic keyboard is my favourite keyboard (least amount of travel/force, for speed and to be easy on my hands/wrists)" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50018581)) "With the keyboard, it's mostly about having very short travel and actuation force as well as a little bit of dampening." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49990450)) "the "click" is immediate and the entirety travel distance of the key is the activation bump" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49198757)) - Faster typing and less fatigue (3 comments): "The Apple magic keyboard is my favourite keyboard (least amount of travel/force, for speed and to be easy on my hands/wrists)" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50018581)) "The apple magic keyboard, full-size, gives me about 10-20% faster typing speeds." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49199888)) "less movement = less fatigue, so I think they're amazing" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49229169)) - Touch ID on the keyboard (4 comments): "I've got the fingerprint reader right next to my standing desk controls so it's really convenient" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46143261)) "I keep an apple magic keyboard off to the side of my desk just for the touch ID sensor." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49198273)) "It's positioned, so that I can reach under, without looking, and touch the Touch ID." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46143160)) - Pleasant feel and ergonomics (4 comments): "Apple's keyboard case has a fantastic keyboard and trackpad that is a pleasure to type on." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47876693)) "just find the magic keyboard a nicer experience" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46157447)) "I just love the ergonomics and feel" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47575627)) ## What people warn about - Expensive for the keyboard alone (4 comments): "on Mac, as shit as it is, you can buy Apple's magic keyboard with TouchID (for crazy money, but still)" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50050972)) "an M5 13" ipad pro plus magic keyboard costs and weighs more than a laptop" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49655114)) "Apple expects $149 minimum for their extremely mediocre membrane keyboard" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49200075)) - Lock-in and proprietary Touch ID (3 comments): "crazy expensive vendor lock-in accessory along with the Touch ID keyboard" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46401400)) "still have to have the Apple keyboard cluttering my desk for biometrics" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46145065)) "Apple chooses to make their Touch ID sensor 100% proprietary" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49199860)) - Lacks clicky feel (2 comments): "I love the Magic Keyboard but hate the lack of clack" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49203546)) "their current low-travel "magic" monstrosities are like laptop keyboards, where usability is compromised for portability" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50029415)) - Heavy with iPad setups (2 comments): "It doubled the weight, and removed the ability to hold it in my hand or in portrait" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49640020)) "an M5 13" ipad pro plus magic keyboard costs and weighs more than a laptop" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49655114)) ## Alternatives hackers recommend - [Lenovo ThinkPad TrackPoint Keyboard II](https://hackerapproved.com/p/lenovo-thinkpad-trackpoint-keyboard-ii.md): 18 recommend - [Logitech K400](https://hackerapproved.com/p/logitech-k400.md): 8 recommend - [Logitech K380](https://hackerapproved.com/p/logitech-k380.md): 6 recommend - [Happy Hacking Keyboard](https://hackerapproved.com/p/happy-hacking-keyboard.md): 5 recommend - [Logitech MX Keys Mini](https://hackerapproved.com/p/logitech-mx-keys-mini.md): 5 recommend ## Where to get it - [See price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Apple+Magic+Keyboard+with+Touch+ID&tag=YOURTAG-20) (affiliate link) - [Official site](https://www.apple.com/us/search/Magic-Keyboard-with-Touch-ID-for-Mac-models-with-Apple-silicon-US-English?rdt=redirectionFromProductPage&tab=accessories) ## Cite as Hacker Approved, "Apple Magic Keyboard", https://hackerapproved.com/p/apple-magic-keyboard/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).