Buzz
Recently gifted an MX Keys Mini, but faced some inconveniences: no dedicated screen brightness controls (a feature I heavily rely on), and the left Command key smaller than my familiar Magic Keyboard. Having used extended keyboards, placing it on my workspace felt lacking, not as elegant as before. So, I sought the full layout MX Keys to address these issues.
Currently, MX Keys is available at retailers for around 2.6 million VND, the same price as the MX Keys Mini (Logitech's pricing strategy seems a bit peculiar). However, as of writing this, the product appears scarce; you need to pre-order and wait 1-2 weeks for delivery. I had to ask a friend to buy one for me.
This keyboard provides a typing experience similar to the MX Keys Mini, likely sharing the same structure and design, differing mainly in having more keys. I enjoy the responsiveness, sound, and typing feel of the MX Keys, especially with the keys slightly concaved to suit the natural shape of human fingers. The gentle curvature around each key reduces sharpness compared to my Magic Keyboard.
The Fn key row mirrors that of my Magic Keyboard, featuring brightness control, Mac multitasking keys, music playback controls, and volume adjustment. In the MX Keys Mini, due to its compact size, it lacks some of these features, omitting brightness control, music switching, and multitasking keys.
Magic Keys also features a Numpad section, which I seldom use, but it adds to the keyboard's elongated and appealing look. Additionally, Logitech introduces a Lock key for quick machine lock, eliminating the need for shortcuts or on-screen clicks. It's a small but handy feature, especially since locking the computer is a frequent task for me and my office mates.
The left Command key on the MX Keys is larger than the one on the MX Keys Mini, and since I use this key extensively (Mac's Command is equivalent to Win's Control, essential for almost everything), having it in a larger size and easy to press, positioned similarly to the MacBook and Magic Keyboard, enhances my keyboard comfort. In the MX Keys Mini, this area is smaller due to the addition of the Fn key. Perhaps the Mac version would address this issue, but since I received the Mini as a gift, I'm not complaining 😁MX Keys also comes with keyboard backlighting, with a feature that lights up when your hand approaches and turns off when you move away, saving battery when the keyboard is not in use. Additionally, in well-lit environments, the keyboard backlight automatically turns off, another thoughtful power-saving feature.
A subtle difference is that MX Keys supports both Bluetooth and a USB Unifying receiver. It doesn't use Logitech's newer Bolt receiver like the MX Keys Mini, so you can still use it with Logi's existing accessories. The multi-device connection feature, swiftly switching between machines with a single key, remains intact. For those juggling between two computers or combining a computer with an iPad, keyboards like the MX Keys make device switching a breeze.Currently, I find more satisfaction in using the MX Keys over the MX Keys Mini, putting the Mini on temporary hiatus. For others, the choice between these two keyboards is no longer a price issue, as they are priced similarly. It boils down to personal preference—whether you need a Numpad, prefer a compact design, or like the expansive look for a full workspace. The choice is yours.If you're thinking of carrying the MX Keys with you, think again because this keyboard is quite hefty. For portability, opt for the Mini; it's compact and much lighter.
