MX Keys or Magic Keyboard for Programming?

[@jamescross]

Reasons not to get the MX Keys Mini: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpWmhmqHabatjKc

[@jrx__]

I had the same thumb pain issue by using mechanical keyboard (both linear and tactile). It turns out that I always want to stretch my finger to reach the center of the space bar. And it causes the pain. However, I also found out if I just press the edge of the space bar my spacebar, the typing is not consistant anymore. I ended up splitting my spacebar to 2.25U, 2.75U and 1.5U. And it perfectly solve my problem.

[@jamescross]

thanks for sharing!

[@RajatRastogihome]

Initially I was using a mechanical keyboard with cherry mx blue switches and it was not comfortable for long usage, switched to Corsair K70 MK.2 Low Profile keyboard with speed switches. This is very comfortable for long hours, although they are not wireless and use standard usb port. BTW recently discovered your channel and found your content to be informational and of good quality. :)

[@jamescross]

interesting. i'll have to take a look at the k70. thanks for sharing and for the feedback!

[@gabriel__2640]

this is the best clip that I was looking for, ordered the apple keyboard, because I never liked any other type of keyboards, especially mechanical. Tried some mechanical keyboards, but my fingers are "chocking" and the sound is awful, but hey, everyone with their taste tho. Awesome video!

[@jamescross]

Thanks for watching and for sharing your thoughts.

[@kvncnls]

No thumb pain with mechanical keyboards. I use a Keychron K2 since Keychron keyboards have MacOS layout keys and can pair up to 3 different devices. You can always flip a switch to change between MacOS/iOS and Windows/Android. Btw, Logitech does make the MX Keys Mini.

[@jamescross]

Yeah, using the MX Keys Mini now. Really like it. I tried a keychron k3 with red switches (i think). The keys were super sensitive. Barely rested my fingers on them and it typed.

[@191.]

I use switches with rubber dampeners inside, so I don't really feel any fatique hitting my spacebar. But I find it somewhat uncomfortable on my XPS 13, where the key travel is really short and there is no dampening to soften the impact. I also put a dampening foam into the spacebar key cap, that may or may not dampen the bottom out impact as well. I would totally recommend to try these or similar switches as it is really nice to type on and, thanks to the dampening material, it is super quite.

[@otakoutnik]

I think that all of this is about personal preferences. What is working for one does not work for others.

[@ThomasWSmith-wm5xn]

I love my mech and also can't stand the loud clickiness, especially when I have to listen to it over a zoom call. I have a mech with aqua zilent blue switches. Great feel, very low noise, and the deep travel distance makes typing feel a lot more comfortable. I really dislike the layout when on my work machine (mbp) which is why I'm here. I'm praying for a mac layout keyboard with hotswap switches in the near future.

[@jamescross]

Thanks for sharing

[@SweatySockGaming]

I use a mechanical keyboard and i dont have thumb pain from hitting space like you do, but i have a little pain in my finger tips because i hit the keys harder than i should, partly because my switches are cheap

[@jamescross]

interesting. thanks for sharing!

[@MilMike]

As a windows user I just started to use a mac (and the keyboard) and I am lost ;). I also have this magic keyboard, and I am supposed to use it for coding, but I can't find important keys, like { } [ ] | ~ .... now I connected my old USB keyboard, and it still doesn't work well, now I am remapping the keyboard. I am also on a mission to find a better keyboard for coding and which also works nicely on a mac. For your problem, having too many keyboards on your desk, I can recommend a keyboard / mouse sharing software, I use sometimes "synergy". It even works with mixed OSes (windows / mac / linux) but I don' think it works with an ipad. And it works without any delay.

[@markc8255]

I was looking for mx keys review and i came across your review. I’m looking for a new experience and wireless one so this might be a great choice. I have a Ducky one2 cherry reds for 2 years. It’s a good stock keyboard. But I also suggest Varmilo VA87 Mac but that is wired. The only wireless mechs I know are keychrons or the Royal kludges.

[@jamescross]

thanks for the suggestions!

[@Dinrad360]

How are linear switches for typing? I only have experience with linear switches, and although they feel good to type on, I really like the sound of linear switches, specifically looking at the gateron yellows, they just sound so smooth.

[@haichu6975]

for wireless, maybe you should try nj80 of keydous

[@irakli.asatiani]

Hello, just got mine, have you bothered with slight input delay caused by bluetooth? it's just internal keyboard prints immediately, and it needs some time to get used to it from there.

[@Salty_Biscuitz88]

I'm using MX keys as well. fantastic keyboard.

[@jamescross]

its a good one for sure

[@romanrussell4165]

This looks great. I need something to go with my Chromebook and monitor. Do you know if this keyboard top row keys can be mapped the same as the chromebook keyboard top row keys?

[@jamescross]

Not sure what's on the top row for chromebooks. With the MX Keys, there is a non-mac version. That might better align with what you need. Not sure how configurable a chromebook is for remapping keys.

[@jamescross]

Maybe I should consider a mechanical keyboard. Any recommendations on a good mechanical keyboard for mac?

[@BlizzardWind99]

Keychron k3 is a good candidate... low profile but it is a mechanical keyboard... great for mac users that use their apple magic keyboard for life and afraid the height adjustment when using the mechanical keyboard

[@jamescross]

@@BlizzardWind99 thanks for the suggestion! i'll have to take a look at it.

[@jamescross]

@Yin Yang thanks for sharing! might have to take a look at that one.

[@hsaliak]

you should just get a cherry mx brown keyboard. Now, you probably want to try a whole bunch and then settle on what you like. But spoiler alert, the end game is a filco majestouch 2 or a filco majestouch 2 nina. A das keyboard is also good, especially the 4c tkl

[@Olga-sc9rn]

Bro best keyboard this is split keyboard custom

[@weiguo9887]

Personally, MX keys is the worst keyboard I've every tried. After a month my fingers start to hurt and typos happened way more often on this keyboard the the rest. After doing some research, this MX Keys actually requires more force to type on than mechanical keyboard. Currently using a Keycron K8 with brown switches, it was great at first but now I feel like sometimes the key switches feel kind of "sticky" so yeah, I'm thinking about going back to Magic keyboard.

[@jamescross]

Interesting. I tried a keychron. I don't remember the switch type but it felt hyper sensitive and so i would keep accidentally double triple keying. so i stuck with the mx. i did keep my magic keyboards in case i decide to go back to those.

[@bawbsmith]

I didn’t watch the video, but I just wanted to say that your thumbnail has one of the best soy face I’ve ever seen. Something about the lips, it rivals even the best like the try guys. I don’t think there’s anyone in the technology review section of KZbin that can match this level of soy facing.

[@marisaksaunders]

Heyy, I have a question! I bought the MX keys mini (not the one for the mac) even though I am a mac user, and some of my commands are not working. Normally I switch from window to window using option arrow left or option arrow right but this doesnt seem to work on this keyboard and I cannot seem to figure out why. Any idea on how to go about resolving this?

[@jamescross]

you might try using logitech options software to see if you can set that up. i ended up returning my black mini and went with the one for mac.

[@sikandarzahid3924]

How easy is it to use the keyboard with multiple macbooks? I just want to know how convenient it is to change between 2 macbooks or I’ll just go with the MX line with Logitech given they have up to 3 devices compatibility. Any advice you can give is much appreciated.

[@jamescross]

It's not hard. But you unpair and pair to the other device so it can be slow compared to pressing a button which is why I ended up with multiple apple magic keyboards so that I didn't have to do this. But that got old so now I am using the MX Keys Mini. Probably the biggest downside is when I start typing and it's on the wrong device.

[@sikandarzahid3924]

@@jamescross yeah I’ve just bought MX keys mini and the MX anywhere mouse 3 so hopefully the seamless switching I al after will work.

[@arthurfreitas7486]

Which do you prefer Mx Keys or Mx Keys Mini?

[@jamescross]

I like both, but prefer the mini mostly because the key layout is so close to the macbook so it makes it easy to transition. Though I miss the 10 key.

[@deveshkedia2548]

you can try the vissle keyboard. It is a low profile mechanical keyboard. Looks just like the apple magic keyboard and is just 3 mm taller

[@jamescross]

cool. thanks for the suggestion.

[@jamescross]

just ordered one. won't ship till end of march but looks promising.

[@BookClubDisaster]

MX Keys is good, but MX Mechanical with blue switches is better IMO.

[@TomerBenDavid]

Magic keyboard is the only keyboard I don't get any pain with after programming all day

[@mistahozzy]

Do you prefer the one with or without the number keypad

[@TomerBenDavid]

@@mistahozzy without because I prefer the compactness of it it's real great..

[@mistahozzy]

@@TomerBenDavid would you prefer the magic track pad for programming or a mouse. I like the aesthetics of the track pad but as a student I’m new to field I’m not sure which is best long term

[@TomerBenDavid]

@@mistahozzy in code reviews it's nice to have a trackpad to scroll through code otherwise I try to use as much as possible keyboard ie I have vim on intellij. for all else other than code reviews if I cant use the keyboard I use a good logitech wireless mouse which has a smooth wheel really good for scrolling and small.

[@nightswithd]

hi are you still using this keyboard?

[@patrickpaganini]

Pain when typing is rather unpleasant for a programmer/typist. I've found using a completely different shaped mouse, or using a different thumb/finger for a few weeks for a help fix things.

[@jamescross]

good thoughts

[@PeaceBeginsOnYourPlate]

Are you still using the Logitech today? I also have 2 laptops that I want to pair to.

[@jamescross]

I have been using the logitech mx mini for mac pretty much since it was released. It's the smaller version of the mx keys without the 10 key.

[@PeaceBeginsOnYourPlate]

@@jamescross and you haven’t felt the need to go back to the Apple Magic Keyboard? You use this with 2 MacBooks (work and personal)?

[@jamescross]

They are both good. When I am in the office I use a magic keyboard that I leave there. When wfh which is most days, I use the mx mini and switch between multiple macbooks. No regrets.

[@Alephbeth17]

can you review Microsoft sculpt keyboard for programming? it claims very ergonomic to type fast.

[@jamescross]

i had an ergonomic keyboard similarly shaped years ago. it was comfortable, but i just didn't enjoy it. so i probably won't get one. but some people like them.

[@Alephbeth17]

@@jamescross which brand?

[@jamescross]

logitech i believe. it was changing the angle of hands that bothered me.the wrist rest part was fine.

[@sainiboy2]

one answer. ... they are selling plastic keyboard .. expensive.... 2 expensive. Apple Magic Keyboard - US English is 4000 Rs. cheaper than logi

[@jamescross]

I like the apple keyboard but not when I have to switch between multiple computers. If you only need one... apple is a good option.

[@sainiboy2]

@@jamescross i was blaming high price of plastic.

[@MidoReigh]

Great review 👍 And funny b rolls 🤣

[@jamescross]

thanks!

[@jatingupta5986]

new mx keys mini launched

[@jamescross]

thanks. might go pick one up.

[@samansepehr2961]

great

[@samparhizkar5221]

Your prayers are answered, they made the mini version !

[@jamescross]

for sure. i’m excited to try it out!