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Ultra-minimalist Wireless Keyboards : Wireless Keyboard For Mac
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Fenna Jaggers
Dec 6, 2023, 10:42:01 PM12/6/23
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Operating system and device: All keyboards work with both Windows and Mac computers, but not all of them come with specific layouts for both. Consult the Mac section below for our picks with Mac-specific layouts that omit the Windows key and include an Option key. For any of our picks that lack a Mac layout, you can always swap the key functions in macOS.
Ultra-minimalist Wireless Keyboards : Wireless Keyboard For Mac
Download File https://t.co/7lzI4Gr5Dw
The Logitech K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard and the Logitech MX Keys are our favorite Bluetooth keyboards with Windows layouts. If you prefer a mechanical keyboard, we recommend the wireless Epomaker TH80 as well as the wired Varmilo VA87M and Leopold FC900R.
Full-size keyboards include all of the letters and numbers, function keys, media keys, and navigation keys, as well as a number pad and arrows. They take up the most space on a desk and can force your mouse into a less-ideal ergonomic position than smaller keyboards do. But if you use a number pad frequently or simply enjoy having a full-size layout, the Logitech MX Keys is the best Bluetooth option, the Leopold FC900R is the best full-size mechanical keyboard, and the Keychron C2 is a solid budget mechanical keyboard.
A simple plug-and-play USB receiver offers a strong 2.4 GHz wireless connection with 10 meters of rangeWireless range may vary based on environmental and computing conditions. This means you will have a clean, cable-free desk and the freedom to arrange your devices the way you want-where you want.
Wireless keyboards can help you declutter your desk, allow you to type more comfortably on your phone or tablet, or let you use a computer or a TV streaming media box from your couch. Desktops, laptops, tablets, phones, smart TVs, and streaming boxes all use Bluetooth, and the best Bluetooth keyboards can switch easily between multiple devices without requiring you to re-pair them.
The comfortable, compact, and inexpensive Logitech K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard and K380 for Mac can switch between as many as three paired devices, and multiple Wirecutter staffers have used their K380 keyboards for two years or more without needing to change the batteries. Its round keys take some getting used to, its arrow keys are small, and it lacks backlighting, but despite those flaws the K380 is the best Bluetooth keyboard you can buy, especially at its low price.
The compact K380 has a layout similar to that of most laptop keyboards. It has all the most frequently used keys, including function and media keys along the top and small arrow keys at the bottom right. It lacks a full-size number pad, but this compact layout takes up much less room on your desk than a full-size keyboard, thus allowing you to place your mouse closer to your body. And the K380 is small and light enough to slip in a bag and take with you, unlike a long full-size keyboard or the heavy Logitech K480.
The biggest advantage the K380 has over other Bluetooth keyboards is its lengthy battery life. The K380 runs on two included AAA batteries, and Logitech told us it would last for about two years of heavy use (eight hours of use a day, five days a week). Our test K380 is still going strong after two years of daily work and entertainment, and Wirecutter staffers have had similar experiences with their K380 keyboards.
The Logitech MX Mechanical Mini is a low-profile mechanical keyboard that aims to be a Goldilocks-style middle ground between the MX Keys and a traditional mechanical keyboard. While the MX Mechanical is enjoyable to type on, and we appreciate the variety of tactile, clicky, and linear switch options, its price makes it difficult to recommend. The MX Mechanical Mini costs about $150, around $30 more than the MX Keys Mini and at least $60 more than compact wireless mechanical keyboards like the Keychron K6 or Keychron K2 V2.
If you've ever been to an office or a lecture hall, you know the sound of dozens of people typing on keyboards is just as loud as a herd of buffalo and just as distracting. Ever since the IBM Model M first clicked and clacked its way into offices, keyboards have been the main tool for office workers, students, and just about anyone seated in front of a computer. Thankfully, over these past few decades, many strides have been made to reduce the noise of keyboards, from the development of silent mechanical switches to the addition of sound-dampening foam inside the case.
We've tested over 185 keyboards, and below are our recommendations for the best quiet keyboards available. While we do include picks for various uses in this article, you may be looking for a keyboard to suit a more specific use, in which case, you can check out our articles for the best keyboards for typing, the best keyboards for programming, and the best gaming keyboards.
It's a wireless keyboard that connects with any device that supports a Bluetooth connection. Though its major downside is that it only connects with one device at once, making it a poor choice if you're in a setup with a tablet, PC, or other mobile devices altogether. Otherwise, it's stylish enough to use at the office, and you won't have to worry about annoying your coworkers while you plow through your daily tasks. Plus, it lasts about a year before you have to change the two AAA batteries out.
Although mechanical keyboards are generally louder than rubber dome or scissor switch keyboards, they provide a much nicer typing experience overall. Thankfully, we've tested enough of them to find a quiet option that's suitable for use in offices or shared workspaces. Enter: the Keychron Q6. While we're mentioning the full-size Q6 here, any board in Keychron's Q-series will do the trick, as they all feature the same acoustically-minded design. Inside the case, there are not one but two layers of sound-dampening foam to reduce the ping and rattle of the switches and stabilizers. These keyboards also have what's called a gasket-mounted design, so the circuit board and top plate have a bit of flex to them. This design helps to reduce the noise of the switches and keycaps when you bottom out the keys since the gaskets absorb some of the impact.
What truly sets these keyboards apart is their level of customization. The stock components work together to create a nice, quiet typing experience. However, if it isn't nearly silent enough for you, you can use the included toolkit to open up the board and add in more layers of sound dampeners or different top plates and keycaps that further reduce the noise made. Plus, the hot-swappable circuit board means you can change the switches for specially designed silent ones if you feel inclined.
But the best wireless keyboard for you will depend on where and how you plan to use it, and what you plan to do with it. Wireless keyboards come in all sizes, from full-size with extra macro keys to mini 60 percent layouts (or smaller, but we'll just call those macropads), all switch types, and all aesthetics.
Full-size, tenkeyless or smaller? Tenkeyless keyboards nix the numberpad, while 65% models often eliminate navigation keys, and 60% boards also usually cut the arrow keys. While some will want every possible key, others prefer a smaller keyboard that gives them more space on their desk or a smaller size to travel with.
Bluetooth or RF dongle: If you want a wireless keyboard that you can use with smartphones and tablets, opt for a Bluetooth keyboard. Most laptops and many desktops these days also support Bluetooth, so these are good if you want to use your best wireless keyboard with multiple devices as well.
The BlackWidow V3 Pro can connect with a wireless dongle, via its included charging cable or through Bluetooth, which lets it pair with up to 3 additional PCs. Battery life varies based on backlight brightness and effect but can range from 5-25 hours with lighting and reach 192 hours without. And at 3% battery life, the BlackWidow V2 Pro can get wonky, with delays in registering keypresses and issues with the software finding it.
If you're switching back and forth among different computers, Logitech's MX Mechanical is the best wireless keyboard for getting work done. The business-friendly clacker can connect to up to three devices via Bluetooth LE or one of Logitech's Logi Bolt dongles and it has dedicated keys for changing to each (no cryptic key combos needed).
This full-size, 110-key keyboard uses low-profile keys and switches in your choice of Kailh Choc V2 Blue, Red or Brown varieties. We found the shorter travel a boon for typing on both the Blues and Browns we tested. But, as with all low-profile keyboards, the height of the keyboard is too short to use with standard wrist rests (low-profile wrist rests exist though they are fewer and likely less padded). For those who like a smaller keyboard, Logitech makes the MX Mechanical Mini which has 84 keys (no numpad) but is otherwise identical.
Part of that lower price comes from the fact that Corsair doesn't include a mouse, unlike Razer. But as the K63 Lapboard includes a standard size mouse pad, you can use any mouse you want. I used the laboard with Corsair's own Katar Pro, as well as a few non-gaming Logitech mice without any issue. And thanks to generous padding on the bottom of the laboard, I was able to game for hours in comfort. My couch's lack of support for my back was an issue long before the K63 Lapboard was.
One of the Lapboard's downsides is that the K63 keyboard (which either comes with the keyboard/laptop bundle or can be bought separately if you buy the lapboard separately) only has blue backlighting, and you can only get it with Cherry MX Red switches. So if you feel the need for RGB or clicky switches, you should check out the Razer Turret One. Battery life for the K63 Lapboard is listed at 15 hours at full backlight brightness (I generally got a little less), or up to 75 hours with the lighting off.
Charging the keyboard is as easy as plugging in to its Micro USB port. But you may want to pop the two tabs at the back of the Lapboard and take the keyboard out first, as the laptop as a whole is rather large and clunky, at over 26 inches long and 10.5 inches wide. Razer's Turret One is a bit smaller and easier to stow when you aren't using it, thanks to a slide-out mouse pad. But that also results in a slightly more cramped feel and a smaller mousing area. The Corsair K63 Keyboard/Lapboard combo, however, offers up as roomy and comfortable a couch gaming experience we've seen yet. Just remember to bring along your own wireless mouse. And be ready to wipe the unit down regularly, as the rubber wrist area and cloth mousepad attract dirt, and crumbs and other tiny things easily get lodged in the seams around those parts of the Lapboard.
eebf2c3492
Ultra-minimalist Wireless Keyboards : Wireless Keyboard For Mac
Download File https://t.co/7lzI4Gr5Dw
The Logitech K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard and the Logitech MX Keys are our favorite Bluetooth keyboards with Windows layouts. If you prefer a mechanical keyboard, we recommend the wireless Epomaker TH80 as well as the wired Varmilo VA87M and Leopold FC900R.
Full-size keyboards include all of the letters and numbers, function keys, media keys, and navigation keys, as well as a number pad and arrows. They take up the most space on a desk and can force your mouse into a less-ideal ergonomic position than smaller keyboards do. But if you use a number pad frequently or simply enjoy having a full-size layout, the Logitech MX Keys is the best Bluetooth option, the Leopold FC900R is the best full-size mechanical keyboard, and the Keychron C2 is a solid budget mechanical keyboard.
A simple plug-and-play USB receiver offers a strong 2.4 GHz wireless connection with 10 meters of rangeWireless range may vary based on environmental and computing conditions. This means you will have a clean, cable-free desk and the freedom to arrange your devices the way you want-where you want.
Wireless keyboards can help you declutter your desk, allow you to type more comfortably on your phone or tablet, or let you use a computer or a TV streaming media box from your couch. Desktops, laptops, tablets, phones, smart TVs, and streaming boxes all use Bluetooth, and the best Bluetooth keyboards can switch easily between multiple devices without requiring you to re-pair them.
The comfortable, compact, and inexpensive Logitech K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard and K380 for Mac can switch between as many as three paired devices, and multiple Wirecutter staffers have used their K380 keyboards for two years or more without needing to change the batteries. Its round keys take some getting used to, its arrow keys are small, and it lacks backlighting, but despite those flaws the K380 is the best Bluetooth keyboard you can buy, especially at its low price.
The compact K380 has a layout similar to that of most laptop keyboards. It has all the most frequently used keys, including function and media keys along the top and small arrow keys at the bottom right. It lacks a full-size number pad, but this compact layout takes up much less room on your desk than a full-size keyboard, thus allowing you to place your mouse closer to your body. And the K380 is small and light enough to slip in a bag and take with you, unlike a long full-size keyboard or the heavy Logitech K480.
The biggest advantage the K380 has over other Bluetooth keyboards is its lengthy battery life. The K380 runs on two included AAA batteries, and Logitech told us it would last for about two years of heavy use (eight hours of use a day, five days a week). Our test K380 is still going strong after two years of daily work and entertainment, and Wirecutter staffers have had similar experiences with their K380 keyboards.
The Logitech MX Mechanical Mini is a low-profile mechanical keyboard that aims to be a Goldilocks-style middle ground between the MX Keys and a traditional mechanical keyboard. While the MX Mechanical is enjoyable to type on, and we appreciate the variety of tactile, clicky, and linear switch options, its price makes it difficult to recommend. The MX Mechanical Mini costs about $150, around $30 more than the MX Keys Mini and at least $60 more than compact wireless mechanical keyboards like the Keychron K6 or Keychron K2 V2.
If you've ever been to an office or a lecture hall, you know the sound of dozens of people typing on keyboards is just as loud as a herd of buffalo and just as distracting. Ever since the IBM Model M first clicked and clacked its way into offices, keyboards have been the main tool for office workers, students, and just about anyone seated in front of a computer. Thankfully, over these past few decades, many strides have been made to reduce the noise of keyboards, from the development of silent mechanical switches to the addition of sound-dampening foam inside the case.
We've tested over 185 keyboards, and below are our recommendations for the best quiet keyboards available. While we do include picks for various uses in this article, you may be looking for a keyboard to suit a more specific use, in which case, you can check out our articles for the best keyboards for typing, the best keyboards for programming, and the best gaming keyboards.
It's a wireless keyboard that connects with any device that supports a Bluetooth connection. Though its major downside is that it only connects with one device at once, making it a poor choice if you're in a setup with a tablet, PC, or other mobile devices altogether. Otherwise, it's stylish enough to use at the office, and you won't have to worry about annoying your coworkers while you plow through your daily tasks. Plus, it lasts about a year before you have to change the two AAA batteries out.
Although mechanical keyboards are generally louder than rubber dome or scissor switch keyboards, they provide a much nicer typing experience overall. Thankfully, we've tested enough of them to find a quiet option that's suitable for use in offices or shared workspaces. Enter: the Keychron Q6. While we're mentioning the full-size Q6 here, any board in Keychron's Q-series will do the trick, as they all feature the same acoustically-minded design. Inside the case, there are not one but two layers of sound-dampening foam to reduce the ping and rattle of the switches and stabilizers. These keyboards also have what's called a gasket-mounted design, so the circuit board and top plate have a bit of flex to them. This design helps to reduce the noise of the switches and keycaps when you bottom out the keys since the gaskets absorb some of the impact.
What truly sets these keyboards apart is their level of customization. The stock components work together to create a nice, quiet typing experience. However, if it isn't nearly silent enough for you, you can use the included toolkit to open up the board and add in more layers of sound dampeners or different top plates and keycaps that further reduce the noise made. Plus, the hot-swappable circuit board means you can change the switches for specially designed silent ones if you feel inclined.
But the best wireless keyboard for you will depend on where and how you plan to use it, and what you plan to do with it. Wireless keyboards come in all sizes, from full-size with extra macro keys to mini 60 percent layouts (or smaller, but we'll just call those macropads), all switch types, and all aesthetics.
Full-size, tenkeyless or smaller? Tenkeyless keyboards nix the numberpad, while 65% models often eliminate navigation keys, and 60% boards also usually cut the arrow keys. While some will want every possible key, others prefer a smaller keyboard that gives them more space on their desk or a smaller size to travel with.
Bluetooth or RF dongle: If you want a wireless keyboard that you can use with smartphones and tablets, opt for a Bluetooth keyboard. Most laptops and many desktops these days also support Bluetooth, so these are good if you want to use your best wireless keyboard with multiple devices as well.
The BlackWidow V3 Pro can connect with a wireless dongle, via its included charging cable or through Bluetooth, which lets it pair with up to 3 additional PCs. Battery life varies based on backlight brightness and effect but can range from 5-25 hours with lighting and reach 192 hours without. And at 3% battery life, the BlackWidow V2 Pro can get wonky, with delays in registering keypresses and issues with the software finding it.
If you're switching back and forth among different computers, Logitech's MX Mechanical is the best wireless keyboard for getting work done. The business-friendly clacker can connect to up to three devices via Bluetooth LE or one of Logitech's Logi Bolt dongles and it has dedicated keys for changing to each (no cryptic key combos needed).
This full-size, 110-key keyboard uses low-profile keys and switches in your choice of Kailh Choc V2 Blue, Red or Brown varieties. We found the shorter travel a boon for typing on both the Blues and Browns we tested. But, as with all low-profile keyboards, the height of the keyboard is too short to use with standard wrist rests (low-profile wrist rests exist though they are fewer and likely less padded). For those who like a smaller keyboard, Logitech makes the MX Mechanical Mini which has 84 keys (no numpad) but is otherwise identical.
Part of that lower price comes from the fact that Corsair doesn't include a mouse, unlike Razer. But as the K63 Lapboard includes a standard size mouse pad, you can use any mouse you want. I used the laboard with Corsair's own Katar Pro, as well as a few non-gaming Logitech mice without any issue. And thanks to generous padding on the bottom of the laboard, I was able to game for hours in comfort. My couch's lack of support for my back was an issue long before the K63 Lapboard was.
One of the Lapboard's downsides is that the K63 keyboard (which either comes with the keyboard/laptop bundle or can be bought separately if you buy the lapboard separately) only has blue backlighting, and you can only get it with Cherry MX Red switches. So if you feel the need for RGB or clicky switches, you should check out the Razer Turret One. Battery life for the K63 Lapboard is listed at 15 hours at full backlight brightness (I generally got a little less), or up to 75 hours with the lighting off.
Charging the keyboard is as easy as plugging in to its Micro USB port. But you may want to pop the two tabs at the back of the Lapboard and take the keyboard out first, as the laptop as a whole is rather large and clunky, at over 26 inches long and 10.5 inches wide. Razer's Turret One is a bit smaller and easier to stow when you aren't using it, thanks to a slide-out mouse pad. But that also results in a slightly more cramped feel and a smaller mousing area. The Corsair K63 Keyboard/Lapboard combo, however, offers up as roomy and comfortable a couch gaming experience we've seen yet. Just remember to bring along your own wireless mouse. And be ready to wipe the unit down regularly, as the rubber wrist area and cloth mousepad attract dirt, and crumbs and other tiny things easily get lodged in the seams around those parts of the Lapboard.
eebf2c3492
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