I’d been using Apple’s Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse for maybe two years. Look, they’re pretty—all sleek and white, matching my Mac perfectly. I figured that was enough. Then I went to my friend’s house and tried his Logitech MX Mechanical Keyboard and MX Master 2S mouse.
I was instantly impressed that the keyboard had actual keys that clicked back at you. The mouse had real buttons instead of that weird touch surface Apple insists on. I spent maybe 20 minutes typing an email on his computer and knew I had to get my own set. It’s wild how you can get used to subpar stuff without realizing it.
Apple’s Magic Keyboard was holding back my productivity
Why mechanical keys make all the difference
The first time I typed on the Logitech MX Mechanical, I couldn’t stop grinning. Those flat Apple keys I’d been using? Total garbage compared to actual mechanical switches. Every key has this satisfying weight when you press it—like the keyboard is talking back to you with each letter.
Here’s the thing—my typing accuracy jumped noticeably within the first hour. I write a lot for work (thousands of words daily), and every mistyped word adds up to lost time and broken flow. The mechanical keys seemed to guide my fingers to the right spots, cutting down on errors and keeping my writing flow intact.
The illuminated keys also proved invaluable during late-night writing sessions, something I never realized I was missing with Apple’s keyboard. Additionally, having a full-size layout with a dedicated number pad significantly improved how I handled data entry and calculations. My Magic Keyboard lacked the number pad, forcing me to use the top row numbers for everything—which, honestly, I can’t believe I put up with for so long.
Apple’s Magic Mouse limitations became impossible to ignore
Real buttons and ergonomics matter more than style
While Apple’s Magic Mouse looks stunning on a desk, using it for eight-hour workdays revealed its practical shortcomings. The MX Master 2S mouse immediately addressed every frustration I’d learned to live with. Real, tactile buttons replaced Apple’s touch-sensitive surface, eliminating accidental clicks and providing reliable feedback for every action.
That scroll wheel alone justified the switch. Apple’s touch-based scrolling works, but having a physical wheel with both smooth scrolling and tactile notches gave me precise control over document navigation. The additional back and forward buttons streamlined web browsing and file navigation in ways I hadn’t expected.
Here’s something nobody talks about: you keep getting older. I’m spending way too many hours hunched over a computer, and that flat Magic Mouse started making my wrist ache. The MX Master 2S curves in all the right places. It fits your palm like it was molded for it. Apple really missed the mark, prioritizing looks over actually using the thing for hours on end.
Multi-device connectivity changed everything
Seamlessly managing three computers
I’ve got computers scattered around my house—Mac mini upstairs in the den, another one in my basement office, plus the MacBook Pro I drag everywhere. Before Logitech, I’d either haul my keyboard and mouse around like some kind of digital nomad or buy multiple sets. Neither option was great.
The MX devices connect to three computers simultaneously. Press a button, switch machines instantly.
About a month in, this completely revolutionized how I bounce between workspaces. No more Bluetooth drama or schlepping peripherals up and down stairs. My scattered computer setup finally worked together instead of against me.
Got really handy when deadlines hit, and I needed to pull files from one machine while writing on another—saving me a ton of time. Try out this productivity hack to save yourself even more.
Charging convenience you don’t know you need
Working while powered up
One of the most practical advantages comes from how these devices handle power management. Unlike Apple’s Magic Mouse, which becomes completely unusable while charging due to its bottom-mounted Lightning port, the MX Master 2S charges via a front-facing port that allows continued use during charging sessions.
What drives me nuts is that the keyboard charges via USB-C (great!), but the mouse still uses micro-USB (ugh). I worked around this with my cable management kit, which has every adapter imaginable. Mismatched ports are annoying, but these things run for weeks on a single charge, so whatever.
What I still keep from Apple
My Magic Trackpad earns its place
I didn’t throw out everything Apple made. My Magic Trackpad earned its spot on the desk for Mac-specific stuff. Three-finger swipes between apps, Mission Control gestures, precise cursor movement for design work—Apple nailed the trackpad experience, and their software expects you to use it.
This mixed setup works perfectly. Logitech handles the heavy lifting—typing, clicking, scrolling. The Magic Trackpad covers Mac gestures that just feel weird on anything else.
Why stepping outside your ecosystem is worth it
I learned that brand loyalty is stupid when it gets in the way of better tools. These Logitech peripherals made my computer time more comfortable, more productive, and added features Apple never bothered with.
The MX keyboard and mouse cost more upfront ($160 and $65, respectively), but the improvement in daily use paid for itself within weeks. Your next upgrade doesn’t have to come from the same company that made your computer—sometimes the best gear comes from whoever actually solved the problems you didn’t know you had. Logitech isn’t your only choice; check out our review of the Keychron K8 Max for another top mechanical keyboard option.
