Don’t buy Logitech for Mac

This video takes a critical look at Logitech's "for Mac" products and explains why I think they are a scam. We compare Logitech products that are marketed as universal and those marketed as "for Mac" and point out that the Mac-specific products have less compatibility, fewer options, and are often entirely missing components while being sold at the same exact price.
This video examines the Lift, MX Master 3S, and MX Anywhere 3 mice as well as the MX Mechanical and MX Keys keyboards. I personally own all 5 products and they are great. However, I believe the Mac versions offer less functionality for the same price and yet are pushed on the Logitech website in a way that would imply they are comparable. To me this is a scam.
Though I would never recommend the Mac versions of these products. If you wish to purchase one of the universal versions, here is a link to each one:
Lift Ergonomic
Amazon: www.amazon.com/Logitech-Verti...
Logitech: logitech.cfzu.net/jreA3M
MX Master 3S
Amazon: www.amazon.com/Logitech-MX-Ma...
Logitech: logitech.cfzu.net/PyONEj
MX Anywhere 3
Amazon: www.amazon.com/Logitech-Perfo...
Logitech: logitech.cfzu.net/5g5PEb
MX Mechanical
Amazon: www.amazon.com/Logitech-Mecha...
Logitech: logitech.cfzu.net/eK1PX1
MX Keys
Amazon: www.amazon.com/Logitech-Advan...
Logitech: logitech.cfzu.net/q4zX9g
CONTENTS
0:00 Introduction
0:21 Universal vs Mac
2:47 Other Products
3:20 MX Master 3S
4:42 MX Anywhere 3
5:32 MX Mechanical
6:45 MX Keys
8:47 Conclusion
Note: The product links above are Affiliate links. I receive a small commission on purchases made through these links.

[@jeffbarner1747]

Thank you for this video as I bought my first Logitech product in a reeeeeeally long time being a Mac user now working heavily with windows for work and I needed something compatible for both. I was so confused what the difference was when in reality there isn’t

[@tsankotsankov760]

Awesome review Cameron! Glad you put it all together. I have one question for you regarding the MXMechanical. How do you like it so far? Are the keys still hard to press after some time of use?

[@chunkplunk]

hey I just wanted to ask how the cascade slim is holding up I'm really tempted to buy it

[@user-ep2yp7qb2c]

I bought them both as I was confused as well, and then I started using the for Mac one as I liked it white. After about 10 days it started to become brown, very ugly, I returned and got the dark grey version universal, worried it did not work well on Mac. It does, nothing changed.

[@oliverstemp9132]

The MX Keys Mini for Mac is now available in Grey, I think it makes perfect sense as you can’t buy the small Magic Keyboard in black. Black keyboards always look better. I think all the Logitech for Mac Keyboards are worth it for the layout and not having to do anything. The Mac mouse though, I’m not sure what the difference is

[@shadowthi3f421]

People value their desktop setup, especially Mac users. They may want a white keyboard and thus a white mouse. Also Apple users tend to not care much for other OSes anyway 😅 On a side note, I still don’t get why AirPods only exist in white.

[@MaxFruehauf]

But in case of the MX keys: doesn't have the Mac version a slightly different key layout?

[@1stRanger]

No, keys just have Mac legends instead of Windows legends here and there (Win, Alt etc). That's all. You can use it with Windows just as "universal" version. Edit: This is no longer fully the case. Logitech locked Mac version in Mac only layout with firmware update and it's no longer possible to switch it to Win layout. And so in Windows Win and Alt keys are reversed. Key Switcher can help remapping those keys though. If own this keyboard and you still can switch layouts, do not update the firmware!

[@petertran8594]

@@1stRanger This is false, the Mac version has a control and function key rearranged

[@1stRanger]

@@petertran8594 When it was released it was possible to switch between mac and win modes that would make layout 100% identical to mac or windows respectively. But down the road they locked mac edition keyboard in mac mode with one of their firmware updates. I contacted their support and after numerous attempts to BS me they admitted that and confirmed it was done intentionally. So my answer isn't false. Or at least it wasn't until said firmware update.

[@1stRanger]

@@petertran8594 First of all not Ctrl and Fn, but rather win and alt. There is no Fn key in Windows. Secondly, when this keyboard was released it allowed user to switch between mac and win modes for keys layout. But at some point Logitech locked that ability with their firmware update. I talked with their support and after some attempts to blame this on bug they admitted that this was done intentionally. So what I said is not false. Or at least it wasn't when I said it. Furthermore, to remap alt and win keys in Windows: 1. Open PowerShell as admin. 2. Execute: Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layout" -Name "Scancode Map" -Value ([byte[]](0x00,0x00,0x00,0x00,0x00,0x00,0x00,0x00,0x03,0x00,0x00,0x00,0x38,0x00,0x5B,0xE0,0x5B,0xE0,0x38,0x00,0x00,0x00,0x00,0x00)) 3. Reboot. Keys should now be remapped (mind that if you use your Windows with more than one keyboard both gonna be remapped, as it's a global mapping). To revert execute: Remove-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layout" -Name "Scancode Map" Alternatively, open regedit, follow the path specified and remove "Scancode Map" manually.

[@oliverstemp9132]

Yes, they have the proper Mac layout.

[@alexandradelliou]

This is an AWESOME review! I've watched a few of your videos and you've just earned yourself a subscriber!

[@CameronDoughertyTech]

Thank you so much!

[@CoCoFantastique]

I just bought the Master Mouse for Mac yesterday UGH. why didnt you post this video yesterday!!!!! I was wondering which one to get! I needed youuuuuuuu. 😭

[@CameronDoughertyTech]

😳 I’m so sorry! It’s still a great mouse thankfully, just annoying for the reasons I shared. Sorry man.

[@CoCoFantastique]

@@CameronDoughertyTech I just ordered the regular one. Didnt open the box on the Mac version because the reasons you gave made sense. I have the Logitech Pebble and it's not "For Mac" and it works just fine. I shouldn't have fell for it. At least I saw this before opening the package! I was just kidding it's all good. I appreciate your content.

[@leonardbruckner9092]

There are some cases when the Mac version’s price is higher than the Universal one…no brainer to buy the 2nd one. Also in an Apple store the MX Anywhere was much pricey that in any store I looked.

[@johnscott5105]

Apparently Apple device owners are willing to pay more for what they perceive as Apple specific compatibility. Even though input devices that are made no matter Bluetooth or a dongle wireless technology are typically universal for most devices.

[@FrankStatik]

I bought a Mac version of the MX Mech Mini to get it in white but mainly use it on Windows, no issues... It's bluetooth sooo that's not correct to say it's only for Mac. Then the only down side of getting the Mac version of them is not getting the Logi Bolt adapter. I also have a Mac and use the mouse and keyboard with Logitech Flow working well!

[@1stRanger]

Exactly. There's zero differences functions wise. Author just likes drama apparently.

[@davidy2116]

Great review! I would like to add - I just purchased the Logi MX Mechanical Keyboard For Mac and returned it. Why? The keyboard bluetooth connection disconnects AND unpairs when the Mac is restarted, and then requires a full (re) setup each time. So I contacted Logitech CS (an excellent experience!). The "solution" was to purchase the Logi Bolt plug-in USB dongle to resolve the disconnect and unpair problem. But the Logi Bolt kind of defeats the "For Mac" experience IMO. CS also suggested resetting the bluetooth on my computer to no avail. My Apple Magic Keyboard reconnects automatically when my Mac is restarted, no problem. On a side note, the Logi keyboard does not have dedicated keys for adjusting the display brightness like the Apple keyboard has if that is important to you. So in all, why not just go with the universal version as suggested anyway.

[@CameronDoughertyTech]

Wow. That’s an incredible story. Excluding it and then blaming connectivity issues on a lack of the thing they excluded. Woof. Thanks for sharing!

[@Tonaldo90]

Clicked this video with Mx Master 3 for Mac mouse... hmm..

[@mattgeorge426]

As a Windows/Android user, I appreciate when I visit my Apple friends and they have universal compatibility 🙂

[@1stRanger]

Any Logitech Keyboard/Mouse has universal compatibility. Both versions are exactly the same aside from not having a receiver. You can still connect it to receiver and you can still use it via Bluetooth. There's no excuse for not having a Bluetooth in your PC these days. People really need to stop making a problem out of nothing.

[@Mr.H-YT42]

That’s why I got it. This seems like a windmill-tipping video.

[@terryguire1321]

Rip off!! Thanks, Cameron!

[@AllelineNguyen]

I dont think this is a "scam" as much as it is targeting people's search words. People who own a Mac or iPhone are usually in the Mac ecosystem, so they look for peripherals that are tailored for that ecosystem, without additional features that they don't need. For example, when it comes to keyboards, what you consider an aesthetic issue with the keycaps not labelled correctly for Mac is actually a big deal with Mac users, who would go out of their way to have matching keycaps. Also, it's far for convenient and stable to use keyboards with built in key mapping for Mac at the hardware level, rather than rely on software like Logitech GHub, because Ghub is not stable on Mac, and it's generally less reliable to use software for keyboard remapping. Lastly, I don't know anyone who would charge their peripheral regularly by unplugging the usbc charger for their mac, unless they rarely use their mac. Having an extra usbc cable in the box to charge your peripheral is value added. These little things seem really small, but they add up, and Mac users generally look for peripherals tailored for their ecosystems. I do think having the extra 2.4gzh connectivity is a good option, and that's a feature most Mac peripherals don't have because Mac has been moving their users toward bluetooth. Is that a scam from Logitech? I think that's more of an "Apple move".

[@1stRanger]

I don't know where did you get this idea that Mac versions only support MacOS. Everything Logitech makes is compatible with everything, even Mac versions of their products. There's really no difference aside from naming and slightly different color. They may also not include receivers on Mac versions, but you can connect it to receiver all the same. In my case I never needed it, as my PC has Bluetooth anyway, so who cares. Is it a scam though? Depends on how you view it. While I agree it's a controversial practice, some products cost more simply because of the color and in this case colors are different. At the end of the day no one is forcing you to buy something you don't want. If you think Mac version is a scam just don't buy it. Problem solved?