This is the English edition of a review from my Japanese YouTube channel, iestaLife. I review gadgets from my home studio in Japan, so product links go to Amazon Japan.
Quick take
I used the Logitech (Logicool) MX Keys Mini for Mac for about a year and a half, then switched to Apple’s Magic Keyboard with Touch ID as my main keyboard. If you only use a Mac, the Touch ID model is the better buy: unlocking from the keyboard is a small thing that makes a big difference. If you switch between a Mac and a Windows PC, the MX Keys Mini is still the one I would recommend, because one keyboard can cover up to three devices.
What I tested
- Logicool MX KEYS mini for Mac (KX700MPG, US layout, pale gray), used for about 18 months
- Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID for Mac models with Apple silicon (Japanese JIS layout), used for about 2 months
- My setup: a MacBook placed a little away from me, next to an external display
What I found
- Touch ID changed my workflow: my MacBook sits slightly far away and higher up, so reaching for its Touch ID every time was annoying. With Touch ID on the keyboard I can unlock without moving my hands. It occasionally fails to read my finger, but it works most of the time.
- Weight: on my scale the MX Keys Mini weighed 503.5 g and the Magic Keyboard 243.0 g, so the Logitech is more than twice as heavy.
- Typing feel: the MX Keys Mini sits at a slightly steeper angle, has deeper key travel and dished keycaps that cradle your fingertips. The Magic Keyboard is flat and shallow, like a MacBook Pro keyboard. Both are quiet.
- Device switching: the MX Keys Mini pairs with up to three devices and switches at the press of a button. That is why I used it while working on both Mac and Windows.
- Get the “for Mac” version: the older Windows/Mac model I used before had keys that didn’t work properly on a Mac.
- Durability: after about 18 months, the delete key on my MX Keys Mini has a faint vertical crack. The rest still looks clean.
- Backlight quirk: I keep the backlight off to save battery, but after a long time without connecting to the Mac, it comes back on at full brightness.
| Logicool MX KEYS mini for Mac | Magic Keyboard with Touch ID | |
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| Price (Amazon Japan, at the time of recording) | ¥16,700 | ¥20,919 (¥14,202 without Touch ID) |
| Weight (my scale) | 503.5 g | 243.0 g |
| Touch ID | No | Yes |
| Multi-device switching | Up to 3 devices | — |
| Keycaps | Slightly dished | Flat |
| Key travel | Deeper | Shallower |
| Backlight | Yes | No |
Who it’s for
- Magic Keyboard with Touch ID: Mac-only users, especially if your MacBook sits away from you or is closed with an external display.
- MX Keys Mini for Mac: people who switch between a Mac and a Windows PC (or several computers) and want one keyboard on the desk. It is also worth considering if you are comparing it with the Magic Keyboard without Touch ID.
Watch the review
The video is in Japanese. Useful moments: around 2:20 why I wanted Touch ID on the keyboard, around 4:30 the weight comparison, around 6:20 the delete key after 18 months.
Limitations
I had used the Magic Keyboard for only about two months, so I can’t speak to its long-term durability yet. My MX Keys Mini is the US layout and my Magic Keyboard is the Japanese JIS layout, so check the layout before ordering from Amazon Japan. Prices are Amazon Japan prices at the time of recording.
Products
Logicool MX KEYS mini for Mac (KX700MPG): on Amazon Japan
Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID (Japanese JIS): on Amazon Japan
The Amazon Japan links above are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Check the listing for the exact model, current price and shipping availability in your region.
More reviews in English
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This review is also available in Japanese.