I bought this mechanical keyboard made for Macs — and you should, too

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I bought this mechanical keyboard made for Macs — and you lot should, besides

(Prototype credit: Keychron )

Considering that I handle the phones coverage for Tom's Guide, it might surprise some of you that one of my side passions is mechanical keyboards. I have several in my office closet and I savour them all for different things, more often than not typing. But ever since I switched to a MacBook Pro for work purposes, I've missed a seamless mechanical keyboard feel.

You tin use Windows layout, which is far and away the default with keyboards, and get on fine. Control is in a different spot and you substitute Alt for Option, and you might miss out on the function row/laptop controls. Information technology'due south doable, merely retraining my brain to translate Mac commands to a Windows layout wasn't something I wanted to spend time on.

The demand for something ameliorate

When looking for an external keyboard, I had a few options. The first was the $99 Magic Keyboard from Apple tree, but I didn't want to drib that kind of coin on a keyboard I didn't really like to begin with. I found a cheaper knockoff from Macally, which was merely a plastic Magic Keyboard. It worked fine for a few months, particularly since it was $35 when I purchased it.

I started looking for a wireless mechanical keyboard with a Mac layout and tactile switches. And I establish one.

I type a lot. Not only for my job here at Tom'south Guide, but I'1000 also working on a novel and then I blazon merely equally much (and sometimes more than) in my downtime at nighttime and on weekends. I typically pull out my favorite board, a heavy 65% using Halo True switches and the MiTo Laser SA keycap set (in a regal Tofu65 example) — this is my pride and joy.

Simply in addition to the layout issue, which was just a distraction from my writing, I had to sacrifice one of the two USB-C ports on my 2017 MacBook Pro if I wanted to use my favorite keyboard with it. This meant I couldn't use my second monitor, which is vital to the way I piece of work. I wasn't willing to brand that trade-off, and since all of my keyboards are wired, I couldn't utilise any of them for work.

Finding the Keychron K2

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Then I started a search for — and bear with me here — a wireless, Mac layout, mechanical keyboard, preferably with switches that wouldn't drive me mad while typing, every bit linears and clickys tend to. (See our guide to mechanical keyboard switches to larn more about the differences.) This was an incredibly strict set of criteria, but ane belatedly night while browsing Amazon, I found i.

The Keychron K2 had everything I wanted: Bluetooth and wired, 75% Mac layout, and a pick between Gateron Brown, Blue, or Reddish switches, all for under $100. If yous know mechanical keyboards, you know they tin can get very expensive, especially custom-built ones. So for $79, I could accept a keyboard that met all of my needs.

I made the purchase and when the board arrived, I was ecstatic. I recall Gateron switches are fine, specially as less expensive alternatives to Reddish switches. Of all the options, I went with the Browns for that satisfying tactile bump. At that place was an RGB version of the K2 for $10 more, but I went with the plain white backlight since my RGB is reserved for my gaming setup on my other desk.

Writing with the Keychron K2

(Paradigm credit: Tom's Guide)

In the time since, typing has been an accented joy. I'thou participating in November'south National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), where the goal is to write 50,000 words in 30 days. Betwixt my piece of work and that, I've already typed tens of thousands of words on the Keychron. When you lot're trying to get yourself to write at the pace that NaNoWriMo requires, having tools that you're excited to use massively improves your motivation.

I could have worked on my novel on my Windows car, where I have my option of keyboard, just I purchased a Scrivener license for my MacBook then that I could use the powerful novel-writing software anywhere I chose. I admit that I'm a niche case. Simply ever since an quondam colleague at my first major freelance gig introduced me to the wonder of mechanical keyboards, I've been crazy virtually them.

Keychron K2 outlook

(Image credit: Tom'southward Guide)

Missing out on having a keyboard I liked on my MacBook didn't please me. I'one thousand very picky about my typing experience, which differs from what I prefer for gaming — I use Kailh Box Blacks on my gaming keyboard. Gateron Browns aren't my kickoff choice of switch (that award goes to the Glorious Panda), but for the Keychron K2's price, I'm more than than satisfied. (You lot'll want to check out our picks for the best gaming keyboards to find one that suits your style).

If y'all're on a Mac and want a wireless mechanical keyboard experience without whatsoever hassle, I highly recommend checking out the Keychron K2. It'southward the all-time purchase I've made and then far in 2021.

Jordan is the Phones Editor for Tom'due south Guide, roofing all things phone-related. He's written about phones for over five years and plans to go along for a long while to come up. He loves goose egg more than than relaxing in his home with a book, game, or his latest personal writing project. Hashemite kingdom of jordan likes finding new things to swoop into, from books and games to new mechanical keyboard switches and fun keycap sets. Jordan tends to lurk on social media, but you lot can best attain him on Twitter.

Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/opinion/i-bought-this-mechanical-keyboard-made-for-macs-and-i-love-it

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