I’m not a fan of Apple’s Magic Keyboard. Whenever I have to use an iMac, I look for an alternative right away. So, if you’re anything like me, the first question on your mind is, what makes this Satechi model so much better than Apple’s offering?
One of the biggest differences: The SM3 is a mechanical keyboard, while the Magic Keyboard comes equipped with scissor switches. I don’t prefer so much as I need the tactile feedback of a mechanical keyboard when typing all day. Yes, this type of design can be much noisier than a scissor-switch model, but the SM3 maintains a low sound profile, making it ideal for typing away in crowded offices and shared spaces.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
The keyboard uses low-profile Brown key switches, which offer a 1.4mm actuation point, 2.6mm of travel distance, and an operating force of 50g, giving each keystroke a comfortable weight while not introducing unwelcome mechanical chatter. Translucent lettering allows the keyboard backlight to shine through the keycaps, boosting visibility in low-light settings and adding to the board’s clean aesthetic.
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The key switches are not hot-swappable, but you can easily change out the keycaps to match your operating system of choice. The keyboard comes Mac-ready, with Option and Command keys already in place, but I swapped them out for the included Windows equivalent. The operation is quick and painless, so even the least handy users should have no issues. You simply lift the macOS keycaps straight up and push the Windows keycaps down into place; no tools are required.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Looking at the overall design, the SM3 measures 4.7 by 16.9 by 0.6 inches (HWD) and weighs 1.4 pounds. If you’re looking for slender, the SM3 isn’t the smallest on the market. It’s more petite than the Logitech MX Keys S for Mac, but the full-size Apple Magic Keyboard delivers a slimmer and lighter package.
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Ordinarily, low-profile keyboards aren’t my cup of tea. (I prefer the heft and height of bulkier models like the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%.) Still, switching to the SM3 was a snap, and the full-size keyboard took up little real estate on my desktop or in my book bag. You can get the device in a sleek white-and-gray color scheme or an equally sharp black-and-dark gray.
