There’s always a valid question that needs to be answered – what are the best keyboards and mice that work with Mac? A rupee every time I was asked this, and I probably would have asked about it ₹168 in my wallet. The default option, and any recommendations, would be a combination of the Apple Magic Keyboard and Apple Magic Mouse. Purely for the dual benefit of seamless integration and aesthetics. Logitech, which still holds close to the Swiss aesthetic trio of function, precision and minimal clarity, has kept things consistently relevant with peripherals for decades; For example, these MX series options are for those who would prefer the path less traveled.
The Logitech MX Keys Mini for Mac and MX Master 4 for Mac mouse take different approaches to Apple’s, albeit to the same destination of productivity, and you may find the right balance and combination. While Apple has two similar products in its Magic Keyboard lineup – the Magic Keyboard with USB-C ( ₹9,500) and the Magic Keyboard with Touch ID for Mac models with Apple Silicon ( ₹14,500) – The Logitech MX Keys Mini for Mac can be purchased for approx ₹9,295. Apple Magic Mouse with USB-C ( ₹9,500) finds an alternative in the MX Master 4 for Mac Mouse, although it is more expensive ₹12,995. One observation about pricing is that you can often find discounts and cashback offers at online and offline retailers for Logitech peripherals, which can reduce the final bill substantially.
Keep in mind, the “for Mac” branding does not mean that they will only work with Mac devices, but rather that they are optimized specifically for macOS. For example, the layout of the MX Keys Mini is very similar to the Apple Magic Keyboard layout. It is fundamentally different architecturally and functionally from keyboards designed for Windows PCs. The differences are Control, Option, Command and Function keys. That said, I don’t really understand why the Command key is smaller than a regular Mac user would expect.
We should first analyze the Logitech MX Keys Mini for Mac keyboard, and there are obvious differences in mechanism and typing approach. Apple goes for a shallower key travel and therefore a sharp as well as potentially snappy typing experience, while Logitech goes with a little more travel, a softer but still reassuring response. Either approach has fans, and it’s nice to have that variety – I prefer the former, but the latter doesn’t take much time to get used to. A deep curvature design on each key helps fingers land better, something you might miss on flatter key designs.
The Logitech MX Keys Mini for Mac keyboard has a heft to it and that construction is the most visible indicator of its sturdiness. It’s high-quality aluminum with no flex no matter how hard you try (feels right at home, next to a Mac Studio), and that’s not an easy feat to achieve for anyone other than Apple. If you like the keyboard at a slight angle (far end, slightly raised) like me, the bar built into the bottom of the keyboard does the job perfectly. The backlighting looks gorgeous when you enable it, and with it turned off the black keys blend nicely into the metal body.
One could find an argument that Logitech is using a similar scissor-activated membrane foundation for a keyboard that costs the same as other MX series keyboards. But rather than those specifics, it’s important to focus on a real-world mix of well-optimized key travel, consistent response, and a layout that’s perfect for fingers to get used to.
Logitech says that for a full battery cycle, the MX Keys Mini Backlight for Mac Keyboard will last from 10 days to 5 months depending on usage. With the backlight off, about 10 hours of use every day for five consecutive days reduced the battery from 100% to 99%. It’s hard to disagree with the estimates that Logitech claims.
Chances are, the Logitech MX Master 4 mouse for Mac (like its other versions and previous generations) will take a little getting used to thanks to its high-rise curved design. Far more so than normal mice peripherals, you will realize this after a few days if you switch back to another mouse. Additionally, the MX Master 4 is also heavier than the MX Master 3S, and this may be a bit worrisome for some users.
There are some differences in build quality, with a lot of the silicone inserts replaced with matte plastic, and although opinions will vary, both versions feel equally premium, even if there are different materials at play. The difference between the MX Master 4 for Mac and the regular MX Master 4 mouse is that the former is Bluetooth only while the latter will include a USB-C dongle for wider compatibility across Windows PCs. There are several changes to the internals, including a new radio chip for more stable connectivity – this will be relevant if you frequently change devices.
The most notable addition is actually a fantastic haptic engine, which definitely enhances the experience. The mouse, in a way, gets closer to the Apple trackpad experience. The thumb pad, which now sits within reach of the right hand’s thumb, can be set up for gestures when you use MX Master 4 for Mac. For example, I would find swiping between different locations more relevant on macOS. That said, it’s time for Logitech to replicate the multi-touch that the Apple Magic Mouse did, because that feature is addicting, and hard to live without.
At this point, it’s worth noting that this mouse is not meant for left-handed users at all. It’s been a long time, and there hasn’t been a version.
The key to getting the full results on the potential of the MX Keys Mini and MX Master 4 combo (or even in standalone experiences) is the Logi Options+ app. For example, each key on the mouse is configurable. For the keyboard, lots of configurability, too. You should definitely take some time to set up Smart Actions and get the Action Ring on MX Master 4 for Mac looking the way you want it. Logi Flow is especially relevant if you have more than one Apple device working simultaneously – simply switch the mouse to control the other computer by moving the cursor to the edge of the screen; And return to the first device in the same way. It also works with copy and paste on these devices, including text, files and photos.
Flow currently works with macOS and Windows computing devices, and I think expanding support for iPadOS and Android on tablets would be really worthwhile, since for many people iPads and Android tablets are a second computing device, not a second laptop alongside a desktop.