Apple’s very own Magic Keyboard is in the top three of the best Mac keyboards IMO. It’s simply very very good, and it will work with your Mac with no glitches. If it came with your machine but you haven’t given it a good run yet, then don’t buy another keyboard for at least a couple of months. Test the Magic Keyboard out. Get Magic Keyboards, trackpads and mice for Mac. Shop sensor switches and keyboard cases for your Mac. Buy online with fast, free shipping.

It’s 2019, and your MacBook will be one year older soon in just a few months. For all the hours you spend typing on your MacBook’s keyboard, it’s time to find out if using an external keyboard may be better for your workflow.

After all, making your workspace your own has many advantages. With an external keyboard, you’ll have greater freedom to position your Mac at a comfortable viewing height and distance, be able to clear space by raising it on a laptop stand but still type, and do your work without worrying that you’re developing carpal tunnel syndrome.

For those of you who use an old MacBook Pro with some keys broken or not functioning well, getting an external keyboard means increased productivity. And you don’t need to spend the time and extra cost for key replacement.

In this article, we’ll show you a list of the best wireless keyboards, and help you pick the right one and put the spotlight on a few of our personal favorites.

Quick Summary

External keyboards come in a variety of styles and many offer special quirks that other brands may not. Here’s our breakdown of what’s best when it comes to available features:

• For the official Apple option that is sure to work perfectly with your MacBook, we recommend Apple Magic Keyboard.
• For a classic mechanical keyboard with a modern touch, we recommend Logitech MK545 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo.
• For a full-size keyboard with glossy, flat keys and a USB dongle connection, we recommend Arteck HB030B Universal Slim.
• For a compact and Bluetooth option that will work on more than one device, we recommend Anker Ultra Compact.

Do I Need an External Keyboard for My MacBook?

External keyboards can be a great asset to your MacBook setup. They offer a variety of benefits, such as greater adjustability and positioning freedom for your screen. You can also sit further away from the harsh light, which is better for your eyes (and health).

If you plan on selling your MacBook eventually, an external keyboard will prevent the built-in keys from accumulating wear and tear. How to wipe an external hard drive mac. That means your Mac laptop will get higher residual value. Www com epic games.

You’ll also benefit most from a keyboard if you’re someone who tends to use your MacBook Pro along with other device or papers that take up a lot of space on your desk, or in a relaxed environment where you have the freedom to spread out as much as you need.

Best Apple Compatible Keyboards

That said, an external keyboard will be less helpful if you tend to use your MacBook Pro while commuting, in isolation, or do not have enough space at your workplace to expand.

Also, for those who own the newest MacBook Pro with the beautiful touch bar, you’ll be giving up easy access to Apple’s latest innovation if you choose to purchase an external keyboard.

So, as you see: it’s not always a good (nor bad) idea to buy an external keyboard for your MacBook, all depending on your goals and preferences. If you’ve decided to purchase one, make sure you also learn the following criteria.

Buying an External Keyboard for Mac: What to Consider in 2020?

Keyboard Style

The first thing to consider when choosing an external keyboard is the style, which is dependent on your needs. Many laptop owners are used to membrane style keyboards, which means your keys travel a short distance and press very quietly.

But if you’re getting an external keyboard, you may prefer the mechanical keyboard that produces the classic “clacking” sound while you work. You should also determine if you need a full-size keyboard with a number pad or just the standard QWERTY lineup.

Connection Type

If you only plan on using it at a single location, you might be fine with a wired option. But if you’re always on the go, wireless is probably the better choice. Additionally, wireless keyboards come in several different types themselves. https://qekjkj.over-blog.com/2021/01/serato-dj-pro.html. Many models use Bluetooth, but a good amount of keyboards use a USB dongle instead.

Battery Life

If you plan on going wireless, battery life is definitely a factor to consider. Most external keyboards will be battery-operated, but some are rechargeable. Whichever you end up choosing, you should keep checking if the charge length is long enough not to inconvenience you.

The Best MacBook Pro Keyboards in 2020: Our Picks

Please note that all the products listed below are chosen based on the guidelines above and our personal preferences. They are not in any particular order and offer their own advantages and disadvantages.

1. Apple Magic Keyboard

Made by Apple for Apple, the magic keyboard is the best option if you’re a pure Apple fan who decides to go all the “Apple” way to your setup. It’s a clean membrane keyboard that comes in silver and white that will flawlessly match your MacBook Pro.

Mac Compatible Keyboard

Pros:

• It’s designed and made by Apple, one of the world’s most trusted brands.
• It looks beautiful with clean design, and it’s extremely light and comfortable to carry around.

Cons:

1. It’s a bit pricey and certainly not the most portable design available while compared to some of our other recommendations.
2. Also, it doesn’t have a numeric keypad which can be a productivity boost if you deal with numbers on a regular basis.

2. Logitech MK545 Advanced Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo

From the long-trusted Logitech brand, this mechanical keyboard is complete with a number pad and comes with a free mouse as well. It’s a great option if you’re looking for a modern wireless keyboard with an old-school touch in the form of classic clicking keys.

Pros:

• It’s battery operated and claims long lifetime before batteries need to be replaced.
• The mechanical style is great if you don’t like membrane keys.
• Also, it has a number pad and shortcuts keys.

Cons:

• Plastic keys are rougher than classic Mac keys, and may feel unappealing in comparison.

3. Arteck HB030B Universal Slim Portable Wireless Keyboard

If you’re looking for a full-sized membrane keyboard but don’t want to sacrifice a good sized chunk of space, this model from Arteck is beautifully designed and it’s much smaller than a standard keyboard. It also offers function keys and a glossy finish.

Pros:

• It’s small enough to carry easily.
• The membrane keys are smooth and can be pressed easily.
• It also includes programmable hotkeys, can be connected via USB dongle.

Cons:

• It uses a “Windows” key rather than “Command” despite Mac compatible, and the keyboard may feel cramped.

4. Anker Ultra Compact Profile Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard

With this keyboard, you won’t be limited to just your MacBook Pro – it’s compatible with your iPad as well. It’s about 30% smaller than your normal laptop keyboard, so your desk will remain uncluttered. The 6-month battery life means you won’t be worried about lack of charge when it’s time to work.

Pros:

• The rechargeable battery can last up to one month without having to recharge (based on 2 hours of non-stop use per day).
• It has clean white style, Bluetooth connection, extremely compact and slim.
• Also, it’s very light and weighs in at a featherlight about 10.4 ounces.

Cons:

• Keys might feel cramped compared to a normal keyboard, and there’s no number pad.

Useful Tips & Resources

Sometimes it’s less about what keyboard you use, rather more about how you use it. If you’re interested in some helpful key shortcuts, check out this list from ComputerWorld that will reduce the amount of time you spend unnecessarily clicking on certain tasks.

Maintaining and cleaning your keyboard is also necessary if you want to maximize its life and keep it in good shape, you may be interested in reading this article from Logitech where the author shared four quick tips to keep your device clean.

If you’ve decided to purchase an external keyboard, also consider adding these two items to your shopping cart:

• ColorCoral Keyboard Cleaner Universal Cleaning Gel – helps remove dust, hair, and crumbs from the surface of a keyboard.
• MECO Rechargeable Mini Vacuum – helps clear off dirt from inside the keyboard.

Final Words

An external keyboard is a fantastic investment if you like versatility in your workplace. It will allow you greater comfort and help you be more productive by allowing you to customize your workplace.

Do you already use an external keyboard with your MacBook Pro? Tell us which model you use and what your experience has been like.

To use a keyboard shortcut, press and hold one or more modifier keys and then press the last key of the shortcut. For example, to use Command-C (copy), press and hold the Command key, then the C key, then release both keys. Mac menus and keyboards often use symbols for certain keys, including modifier keys:

On keyboards made for Windows PCs, use the Alt key instead of Option, and the Windows logo key instead of Command.

Some keys on some Apple keyboards have special symbols and functions, such as for display brightness , keyboard brightness , Mission Control, and more. If these functions aren't available on your keyboard, you might be able to reproduce some of them by creating your own keyboard shortcuts. To use these keys as F1, F2, F3, or other standard function keys, combine them with the Fn key.

Cut, copy, paste, and other common shortcuts

• Command-X: Cut the selected item and copy it to the Clipboard.
• Command-C: Copy the selected item to the Clipboard. This also works for files in the Finder.
• Command-V: Paste the contents of the Clipboard into the current document or app. This also works for files in the Finder.
• Command-Z: Undo the previous command. You can then press Shift-Command-Z to Redo, reversing the undo command. In some apps, you can undo and redo multiple commands.
• Command-A: Select All items.
• Command-F: Find items in a document or open a Find window.
• Command-G: Find Again: Find the next occurrence of the item previously found. To find the previous occurrence, press Shift-Command-G.
• Command-H: Hide the windows of the front app. To view the front app but hide all other apps, press Option-Command-H.
• Command-M: Minimize the front window to the Dock. To minimize all windows of the front app, press Option-Command-M.
• Command-O: Open the selected item, or open a dialog to select a file to open.
• Command-P: Print the current document.
• Command-S: Save the current document.
• Command-T: Open a new tab.
• Command-W: Close the front window. To close all windows of the app, press Option-Command-W.
• Option-Command-Esc: Force quit an app.
• Command–Space bar: Show or hide the Spotlight search field. To perform a Spotlight search from a Finder window, press Command–Option–Space bar. (If you use multiple input sources to type in different languages, these shortcuts change input sources instead of showing Spotlight. Learn how to change a conflicting keyboard shortcut.)
• Control–Command–Space bar: Show the Character Viewer, from which you can choose emoji and other symbols.
• Control-Command-F: Use the app in full screen, if supported by the app.
• Space bar: Use Quick Look to preview the selected item.
• Command-Tab: Switch to the next most recently used app among your open apps.
• Shift-Command-5: In macOS Mojave or later, take a screenshot or make a screen recording. Or use Shift-Command-3 or Shift-Command-4 for screenshots. Learn more about screenshots.
• Shift-Command-N: Create a new folder in the Finder.
• Command-Comma (,): Open preferences for the front app.

Sleep, log out, and shut down shortcuts

You might need to press and hold some of these shortcuts for slightly longer than other shortcuts. This helps you to avoid using them unintentionally.

• Power button: Press to turn on your Mac or wake it from sleep. Press and hold for 1.5 seconds to put your Mac to sleep.* Continue holding to force your Mac to turn off.
• Option–Command–Power button* or Option–Command–Media Eject : Put your Mac to sleep.
• Control–Shift–Power button* or Control–Shift–Media Eject : Put your displays to sleep.
• Control–Power button* or Control–Media Eject : Display a dialog asking whether you want to restart, sleep, or shut down.
• Control–Command–Power button:* Force your Mac to restart, without prompting to save any open and unsaved documents.
• Control–Command–Media Eject : Quit all apps, then restart your Mac. If any open documents have unsaved changes, you will be asked whether you want to save them.
• Control–Option–Command–Power button* or Control–Option–Command–Media Eject : Quit all apps, then shut down your Mac. If any open documents have unsaved changes, you will be asked whether you want to save them.
• Control-Command-Q: Immediately lock your screen.
• Shift-Command-Q: Log out of your macOS user account. You will be asked to confirm. To log out immediately without confirming, press Option-Shift-Command-Q.

* Does not apply to the Touch ID sensor.

Finder and system shortcuts

• Command-D: Duplicate the selected files.
• Command-E: Eject the selected disk or volume.
• Command-F: Start a Spotlight search in the Finder window.
• Command-I: Show the Get Info window for a selected file.
• Command-R: (1) When an alias is selected in the Finder: show the original file for the selected alias. (2) In some apps, such as Calendar or Safari, refresh or reload the page. (3) In Software Update preferences, check for software updates again.
• Shift-Command-C: Open the Computer window.
• Shift-Command-D: Open the desktop folder.
• Shift-Command-F: Open the Recents window, showing all of the files you viewed or changed recently.
• Shift-Command-G: Open a Go to Folder window.
• Shift-Command-H: Open the Home folder of the current macOS user account.
• Shift-Command-I: Open iCloud Drive.
• Shift-Command-K: Open the Network window.
• Option-Command-L: Open the Downloads folder.
• Shift-Command-N: Create a new folder.
• Shift-Command-O: Open the Documents folder.
• Shift-Command-P: Show or hide the Preview pane in Finder windows.
• Shift-Command-R: Open the AirDrop window.
• Shift-Command-T: Show or hide the tab bar in Finder windows.
• Control-Shift-Command-T: Add selected Finder item to the Dock (OS X Mavericks or later)
• Shift-Command-U: Open the Utilities folder.
• Option-Command-D: Show or hide the Dock.
• Control-Command-T: Add the selected item to the sidebar (OS X Mavericks or later).
• Option-Command-P: Hide or show the path bar in Finder windows.
• Option-Command-S: Hide or show the Sidebar in Finder windows.
• Command–Slash (/): Hide or show the status bar in Finder windows.
• Command-J: Show View Options.
• Command-K: Open the Connect to Server window.
• Control-Command-A: Make an alias of the selected item.
• Command-N: Open a new Finder window.
• Option-Command-N: Create a new Smart Folder.
• Command-T: Show or hide the tab bar when a single tab is open in the current Finder window.
• Option-Command-T: Show or hide the toolbar when a single tab is open in the current Finder window.
• Option-Command-V: Move the files in the Clipboard from their original location to the current location.
• Command-Y: Use Quick Look to preview the selected files.
• Option-Command-Y: View a Quick Look slideshow of the selected files.
• Command-1: View the items in the Finder window as icons.
• Command-2: View the items in a Finder window as a list.
• Command-3: View the items in a Finder window in columns.
• Command-4: View the items in a Finder window in a gallery.
• Command–Left Bracket ([): Go to the previous folder.
• Command–Right Bracket (]): Go to the next folder.
• Command–Up Arrow: Open the folder that contains the current folder.
• Command–Control–Up Arrow: Open the folder that contains the current folder in a new window.
• Command–Down Arrow: Open the selected item.
• Right Arrow: Open the selected folder. This works only when in list view.
• Left Arrow: Close the selected folder. This works only when in list view.
• Command-Delete: Move the selected item to the Trash.
• Shift-Command-Delete: Empty the Trash.
• Option-Shift-Command-Delete: Empty the Trash without confirmation dialog.
• Command–Brightness Down: Turn video mirroring on or off when your Mac is connected to more than one display.
• Option–Brightness Up: Open Displays preferences. This works with either Brightness key.
• Control–Brightness Up or Control–Brightness Down: Change the brightness of your external display, if supported by your display.
• Option–Shift–Brightness Up or Option–Shift–Brightness Down: Adjust the display brightness in smaller steps. Add the Control key to this shortcut to make the adjustment on your external display, if supported by your display.
• Option–Mission Control: Open Mission Control preferences.
• Command–Mission Control: Show the desktop.
• Control–Down Arrow: Show all windows of the front app.
• Option–Volume Up: Open Sound preferences. This works with any of the volume keys.
• Option–Shift–Volume Up or Option–Shift–Volume Down: Adjust the sound volume in smaller steps.
• Option–Keyboard Brightness Up: Open Keyboard preferences. This works with either Keyboard Brightness key.
• Option–Shift–Keyboard Brightness Up or Option–Shift–Keyboard Brightness Down: Adjust the keyboard brightness in smaller steps.
• Option key while double-clicking: Open the item in a separate window, then close the original window.
• Command key while double-clicking: Open a folder in a separate tab or window.
• Command key while dragging to another volume: Move the dragged item to the other volume, instead of copying it.
• Option key while dragging: Copy the dragged item. The pointer changes while you drag the item.
• Option-Command while dragging: Make an alias of the dragged item. The pointer changes while you drag the item.
• Option-click a disclosure triangle: Open all folders within the selected folder. This works only when in list view.
• Command-click a window title: See the folders that contain the current folder.
• Learn how to use Command or Shift to select multiple items in the Finder.
• Click the Go menu in the Finder menu bar to see shortcuts for opening many commonly used folders, such as Applications, Documents, Downloads, Utilities, and iCloud Drive.

Document shortcuts

Backup lg phone to mac. The behavior of these shortcuts may vary with the app you're using.

• Command-B: Boldface the selected text, or turn boldfacing on or off.
• Command-I: Italicize the selected text, or turn italics on or off.
• Command-K: Add a web link.
• Command-U: Underline the selected text, or turn underlining on or off.
• Command-T: Show or hide the Fonts window.
• Command-D: Select the Desktop folder from within an Open dialog or Save dialog.
• Control-Command-D: Show or hide the definition of the selected word.
• Shift-Command-Colon (:): Display the Spelling and Grammar window.
• Command-Semicolon (;): Find misspelled words in the document.
• Option-Delete: Delete the word to the left of the insertion point.
• Control-H: Delete the character to the left of the insertion point. Or use Delete.
• Control-D: Delete the character to the right of the insertion point. Or use Fn-Delete.
• Fn-Delete: Forward delete on keyboards that don't have a Forward Delete key. Or use Control-D.
• Control-K: Delete the text between the insertion point and the end of the line or paragraph.
• Fn–Up Arrow: Page Up: Scroll up one page.
• Fn–Down Arrow: Page Down: Scroll down one page.
• Fn–Left Arrow: Home: Scroll to the beginning of a document.
• Fn–Right Arrow: End: Scroll to the end of a document.
• Command–Up Arrow: Move the insertion point to the beginning of the document.
• Command–Down Arrow: Move the insertion point to the end of the document.
• Command–Left Arrow: Move the insertion point to the beginning of the current line.
• Command–Right Arrow: Move the insertion point to the end of the current line.
• Option–Left Arrow: Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word.
• Option–Right Arrow: Move the insertion point to the end of the next word.
• Shift–Command–Up Arrow: Select the text between the insertion point and the beginning of the document.
• Shift–Command–Down Arrow: Select the text between the insertion point and the end of the document.
• Shift–Command–Left Arrow: Select the text between the insertion point and the beginning of the current line.
• Shift–Command–Right Arrow: Select the text between the insertion point and the end of the current line.
• Shift–Up Arrow: Extend text selection to the nearest character at the same horizontal location on the line above.
• Shift–Down Arrow: Extend text selection to the nearest character at the same horizontal location on the line below.
• Shift–Left Arrow: Extend text selection one character to the left.
• Shift–Right Arrow: Extend text selection one character to the right.
• Option–Shift–Up Arrow: Extend text selection to the beginning of the current paragraph, then to the beginning of the following paragraph if pressed again.
• Option–Shift–Down Arrow: Extend text selection to the end of the current paragraph, then to the end of the following paragraph if pressed again.
• Option–Shift–Left Arrow: Extend text selection to the beginning of the current word, then to the beginning of the following word if pressed again.
• Option–Shift–Right Arrow: Extend text selection to the end of the current word, then to the end of the following word if pressed again.
• Control-A: Move to the beginning of the line or paragraph.
• Control-E: Move to the end of a line or paragraph.
• Control-F: Move one character forward.
• Control-B: Move one character backward.
• Control-L: Center the cursor or selection in the visible area.
• Control-P: Move up one line.
• Control-N: Move down one line.
• Control-O: Insert a new line after the insertion point.
• Control-T: Swap the character behind the insertion point with the character in front of the insertion point.
• Command–Left Curly Bracket ({): Left align.
• Command–Right Curly Bracket (}): Right align.
• Shift–Command–Vertical bar (|): Center align.
• Option-Command-F: Go to the search field.
• Option-Command-T: Show or hide a toolbar in the app.
• Option-Command-C: Copy Style: Copy the formatting settings of the selected item to the Clipboard.
• Option-Command-V: Paste Style: Apply the copied style to the selected item.
• Option-Shift-Command-V: Paste and Match Style: Apply the style of the surrounding content to the item pasted within that content.
• Option-Command-I: Show or hide the inspector window.
• Shift-Command-P: Page setup: Display a window for selecting document settings.
• Shift-Command-S: Display the Save As dialog, or duplicate the current document.
• Shift–Command–Minus sign (-): Decrease the size of the selected item.
• Shift–Command–Plus sign (+): Increase the size of the selected item. Command–Equal sign (=) performs the same function.
• Shift–Command–Question mark (?): Open the Help menu.

Other shortcuts

For more shortcuts, check the shortcut abbreviations shown in the menus of your apps. Every app can have its own shortcuts, and shortcuts that work in one app might not work in another.

• Apple Music shortcuts: Choose Help > Keyboard shortcuts from the menu bar in the Music app.
• Other shortcuts: Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Keyboard, then click Shortcuts.

Learn more

• Create your own shortcuts and resolve conflicts between shortcuts
• Change the behavior of the function keys or modifier keys